MissPupford’sassistantwiththeParisianaccent，mayberegardedasinsomesortaninspiredlady，forsheneverconversedwithaParisian，andwasneveroutofEngland——exceptonceinthepleasure—
　　boatLively，intheforeignwatersthatebbandflowtwomilesoffMargateathighwater。EvenunderthosegeographicallyfavourablecircumstancesfortheacquisitionoftheFrenchlanguageinitsutmostpolitenessandpurity，MissPupford’sassistantdidnotfullyprofitbytheopportunity；forthepleasure—boat，Lively，sostronglyasserteditstitletoitsnameonthatoccasion，thatshewasreducedtotheconditionoflyinginthebottomoftheboatpicklinginbrine——asifshewerebeingsalteddownfortheuseoftheNavy——undergoingatthesametimegreatmentalalarm，corporealdistress，andclear—starchingderangement。
　　WhenMissPupfordandherassistantfirstforegathered，isnotknowntomen，orpupils。But，itwaslongago。Abeliefwouldhaveestablisheditselfamongpupilsthatthetwooncewenttoschooltogether，wereitnotforthedifficultyandaudacityofimaginingMissPupfordbornwithoutmittens，andwithoutafront，andwithoutabitofgoldwireamongherfrontteeth，andwithoutlittledabsofpowderonherneatlittlefaceandnose。Indeed，wheneverMissPupfordgivesalittlelectureonthemythologyofthemisguidedheathens（alwayscarefullyexcludingCupidfromrecognition），andtellshowMinervasprang，perfectlyequipped，fromthebrainofJupiter，sheishalfsupposedtohint，"SoImyselfcameintotheworld，completelyupinPinnock，Mangnall，Tables，andtheuseoftheGlobes。"
　　Howbeit，MissPupfordandMissPupford’sassistantareoldoldfriends。Anditisthoughtbypupilsthat，afterpupilsaregonetobed，theyevencalloneanotherbytheirchristiannamesinthequietlittleparlour。For，onceuponatimeonathunderousafternoon，whenMissPupfordfaintedawaywithoutnotice，MissPupford’sassistant（neverheard，beforeorsince，toaddressherotherwisethanasMissPupford）rantoher，cryingout，"MydearestEuphemia！"AndEuphemiaisMissPupford’schristiannameonthesampler（datepickedout）hangingupintheCollege—hall，wherethetwopeacocks，terrifiedtodeathbysomeGermantextthatiswaddlingdown—hillafterthemoutofacottage，arescuttlingawaytohidetheirprofilesintwoimmensebean—stalksgrowingoutofflower—pots。
　　Also，thereisanotionlatentamongpupils，thatMissPupfordwasonceinlove，andthatthebelovedobjectstillmovesuponthisball。Also，thatheisapubliccharacter，andapersonageofvastconsequence。Also，thatMissPupford’sassistantknowsallaboutit。For，sometimesofanafternoonwhenMissPupfordhasbeenreadingthepaperthroughherlittlegoldeye—glass（itisnecessarytoreaditonthespot，astheboycallsforit，withill—
　　conditionedpunctuality，inanhour），shehasbecomeagitated，andhassaidtoherassistant"G！"ThenMissPupford’sassistanthasgonetoMissPupford，andMissPupfordhaspointedout，withhereye—glass，Ginthepaper，andthenMissPupford’sassistanthasreadaboutG，andhasshownsympathy。Sostimulatedhasthepupil—
　　mindbeeninitstimetocuriosityonthesubjectofG，thatonce，undertemporarycircumstancesfavourabletotheboldsally，onefearlesspupildidactuallyobtainpossessionofthepaper，andrangealloveritinsearchofG，whohadbeendiscoveredthereinbyMissPupfordnottenminutesbefore。ButnoGcouldbeidentified，exceptonecapitaloffenderwhohadbeenexecutedinastateofgreathardihood，anditwasnottobesupposedthatMissPupfordcouldeverhavelovedHIM。Besides，hecouldn’tbealwaysbeingexecuted。Besides，hegotintothepaperagain，alive，withinamonth。
　　Onthewhole，itissuspectedbythepupil—mindthatGisashortchubbyoldgentleman，withlittleblacksealing—waxbootsuptohisknees，whomasharplyobservantpupil，MissLinx，whensheoncewenttoTunbridgeWellswithMissPupfordfortheholidays，reportedonherreturn（privatelyandconfidentially）tohaveseencomecaperinguptoMissPupfordonthePromenade，andtohavedetectedintheactofsqueezingMissPupford’shand，andtohaveheardpronouncethewords，"CruelEuphemia，everthine！"——orsomethinglikethat。MissLinxhazardedaguessthathemightbeHouseofCommons，orMoneyMarket，orCourtCircular，orFashionableMovements；whichwouldaccountforhisgettingintothepapersooften。But，itwasfatallyobjectedbythepupil—mind，thatnoneofthosenotabilitiescouldpossiblybespeltwithaG。
　　Thereareotheroccasions，closelywatchedandperfectlycomprehendedbythepupil—mind，whenMissPupfordimpartswithmysterytoherassistantthatthereisspecialexcitementinthemorningpaper。Theseoccasionsare，whenMissPupfordfindsanoldpupilcomingoutundertheheadofBirths，orMarriages。
　　AffectionatetearsareinvariablyseeninMissPupford’smeeklittleeyeswhenthisisthecase；andthepupil—mind，perceivingthatitsorderhasdistinguisheditself——thoughthefactisnevermentionedbyMissPupford——becomeselevated，andfeelsthatitlikewiseisreservedforgreatness。
　　MissPupford’sassistantwiththeParisianaccenthasalittlemorebonethanMissPupford，butisofthesametrimorderlydiminutivecast，and，fromlongcontemplation，admiration，andimitationofMissPupford，hasgrownlikeher。BeingentirelydevotedtoMissPupford，andhavingaprettytalentforpencil—drawing，sheoncemadeaportraitofthatlady:whichwassoinstantlyidentifiedandhailedbythepupils，thatitwasdoneonstoneatfiveshillings。
　　Surelythesoftestandmilkieststonethateverwasquarried，receivedthatlikenessofMissPupford！Thelinesofherplacidlittlenosearesoundecidedinitthatstrangerstotheworkofartareobservedtobeexceedinglyperplexedastowherethenosegoesto，andinvoluntarilyfeeltheirownnosesinadisconcertedmanner。
　　MissPupfordbeingrepresentedinastateofdejectionatanopenwindow，ruminatingoverabowlofgoldfish，thepupil—mindhassettledthatthebowlwaspresentedbyG，andthathewreathedthebowlwithflowersofsoul，andthatMissPupfordisdepictedaswaitingforhimonamemorableoccasionwhenhewasbehindhistime。
　　TheapproachofthelastMidsummerholidayshadaparticularinterestforthepupil—mind，byreasonofitsknowingthatMissPupfordwasbidden，ontheseconddayofthoseholidays，tothenuptialsofaformerpupil。Asitwasimpossibletoconcealthefact——soextensivewerethedress—makingpreparations——MissPupfordopenlyannouncedit。But，shehelditduetoparentstomaketheannouncementwithanairofgentlemelancholy，asifmarriagewere（asindeeditexceptionallyhasbeen）ratheracalamity。Withanairofsoftenedresignationandpity，therefore，MissPupfordwentonwithherpreparations:andmeanwhilenopupileverwentup—
　　stairs，orcamedown，withoutpeepinginatthedoorofMissPupford’sbedroom（whenMissPupfordwasn’tthere），andbringingbacksomesurprisingintelligenceconcerningthebonnet。
　　Theextensivepreparationsbeingcompletedonthedaybeforetheholidays，anunanimousentreatywaspreferredtoMissPupfordbythepupil—mind——findingexpressionthroughMissPupford’sassistant——
　　thatshewoulddeigntoappearinallhersplendour。MissPupfordconsenting，presentedalovelyspectacle。Andalthoughtheoldestpupilwasbarelythirteen，everyoneofthesixbecameintwominutesperfectintheshape，cut，colour，price，andquality，ofeveryarticleMissPupfordwore。
　　Thusdelightfullyusheredin，theholidaysbegan。FiveofthesixpupilskissedlittleKittyKimmeenstwentytimesover（roundtotal，onehundredtimes，forshewasverypopular），andsowenthome。
　　MissKittyKimmeensremainedbehind，forherrelationsandfriendswereallinIndia，faraway。Aself—helpfulsteadylittlechildisMissKittyKimmeens:adimpledchildtoo，andaloving。
　　So，thegreatmarriage—daycame，andMissPupford，quiteasmuchflutteredasanybridecouldbe（G！thoughtMissKittyKimmeens），wentaway，splendidtobehold，inthecarriagethatwassentforher。ButnotMissPupfordonlywentaway；forMissPupford’sassistantwentawaywithher，onadutifulvisittoanageduncle——
　　thoughsurelythevenerablegentlemancouldn’tliveinthegalleryofthechurchwherethemarriagewastobe，thoughtMissKittyKimmeens——andyetMissPupford’sassistanthadletoutthatshewasgoingthere。Wherethecookwasgoing，didn’tappear，butshegenerallyconveyedtoMissKimmeensthatshewasbound，ratheragainstherwill，onapilgrimagetoperformsomepiousofficethatrenderednewribbonsnecessarytoherbestbonnet，andalsosandalstohershoes。
　　"Soyousee，"saidthehousemaid，whentheywereallgone，"there’snobodyleftinthehousebutyouandme，MissKimmeens。"
　　"Nobodyelse，"saidMissKittyKimmeens，shakinghercurlsalittlesadly。"Nobody！"
　　"Andyouwouldn’tlikeyourBellatogotoo；wouldyou，MissKimmeens？"saidthehousemaid。（ShebeingBella。）
　　"N—no，"answeredlittleMissKimmeens。
　　"YourpoorBellaisforcedtostaywithyou，whethershelikesitornot；ain’tshe，MissKimmeens？"
　　"DON’Tyoulikeit？"inquiredKitty。
　　"Why，you’resuchadarling，Miss，thatitwouldbeunkindofyourBellatomakeobjections。Yetmybrother—in—lawhasbeentookunexpectedbadbythismorning’spost。AndyourpoorBellaismuchattachedtohim，lettingaloneherfavouritesister，MissKimmeens。"
　　"Isheveryill？"askedlittleKitty。
　　"YourpoorBellahasherfearsso，MissKimmeens，"returnedthehousemaid，withherapronathereyes。"Itwasbuthisinside，itistrue，butitmightmount，andthedoctorsaidthatifitmountedhewouldn’tanswer。"HerethehousemaidwassoovercomethatKittyadministeredtheonlycomfortshehadready:whichwasakiss。
　　"Ifithadn’tbeenfordisappointingCook，dearMissKimmeens，"saidthehousemaid，"yourBellawouldhaveaskedhertostaywithyou。
　　ForCookissweetcompany，MissKimmeens，muchmoresothanyourownpoorBella。"
　　"Butyouareverynice，Bella。"
　　"YourBellacouldwishtobeso，MissKimmeens，"returnedthehousemaid，"butsheknowsfullwellthatitdonotlayinherpowerthisday。"
　　Withwhichdespondentconviction，thehousemaiddrewaheavysigh，andshookherhead，anddroppeditononeside。
　　"IfithadbeenanywaysrighttodisappointCook，"shepursued，inacontemplativeandabstractedmanner，"itmighthavebeensoeasydone！Icouldhavegottomybrother—in—law’s，andhadthebestpartofthedaythere，andgotback，longbeforeourladiescomehomeatnight，andneithertheonenortheotherofthemneedneverhaveknownit。NotthatMissPupfordwouldatallobject，butthatitmightputherout，beingtender—hearted。Hows’ever，yourownpoorBella，MissKimmeens，"saidthehousemaid，rousingherself，"isforcedtostaywithyou，andyou’reapreciouslove，ifnotaliberty。"
　　"Bella，"saidlittleKitty，afterashortsilence。
　　"CallyourownpoorBella，yourBella，dear，"thehousemaidbesoughther。
　　"MyBella，then。"
　　"Blessyourconsiderateheart！"saidthehousemaid。
　　"Ifyouwouldnotmindleavingme，Ishouldnotmindbeingleft。I
　　amnotafraidtostayinthehousealone。Andyouneednotbeuneasyonmyaccount，forIwouldbeverycarefultodonoharm。"
　　"O！Astoharm，youmorethansweetest，ifnotaliberty，"
　　exclaimedthehousemaid，inarapture，"yourBellacouldtrustyouanywhere，beingsosteady，andsoanswerable。Theoldestheadinthishouse（meandCooksays），butforitsbrighthair，isMissKimmeens。Butno，Iwillnotleaveyou；foryouwouldthinkyourBellaunkind。"
　　"ButifyouaremyBella，youMUSTgo，"returnedthechild。
　　"MustI？"saidthehousemaid，rising，onthewholewithalacrity。
　　"Whatmustbe，mustbe，MissKimmeens。YourownpoorBellaactsaccording，thoughunwilling。Butgoorstay，yourownpoorBellalovesyou，MissKimmeens。"
　　Itwascertainlygo，andnotstay，forwithinfiveminutesMissKimmeens’sownpoorBella——somuchimprovedinpointofspiritsastohavegrownalmostsanguineonthesubjectofherbrother—in—law——
　　wentherway，inapparelthatseemedtohavebeenexpresslypreparedforsomefestiveoccasion。Sucharethechangesofthisfleetingworld，andsoshort—sightedarewepoormortals！
　　Whenthehousedoorclosedwithabangandashake，itseemedtoMissKimmeenstobeaveryheavyhousedoor，shuttingherupinawildernessofahouse。But，MissKimmeensbeing，asbeforestated，ofaself—reliantandmethodicalcharacter，presentlybegantoparceloutthelongsummer—daybeforeher。
　　Andfirstshethoughtshewouldgoalloverthehouse，tomakequitesurethatnobodywithagreat—coatonandacarving—knifeinit，hadgotunderoneofthebedsorintooneofthecupboards。Notthatshehadeverbeforebeentroubledbytheimageofanybodyarmedwithagreat—coatandacarving—knife，butthatitseemedtohavebeenshakenintoexistencebytheshakeandthebangofthegreatstreet—
　　door，reverberatingthroughthesolitaryhouse。So，littleMissKimmeenslookedunderthefiveemptybedsofthefivedepartedpupils，andlooked，underherownbed，andlookedunderMissPupford’sbed，andlookedunderMissPupford’sassistantsbed。Andwhenshehaddonethis，andwasmakingthetourofthecupboards，thedisagreeablethoughtcameintoheryounghead，Whataveryalarmingthingitwouldbetofindsomebodywithamaskon，likeGuyFawkes，hidingboltuprightinacornerandpretendingnottobealive！However，MissKimmeenshavingfinishedherinspectionwithoutmakinganysuchuncomfortablediscovery，satdowninhertidylittlemannertoneedlework，andbeganstitchingawayatagreatrate。
　　Thesilenceallabouthersoongrewveryoppressive，andthemoresobecauseoftheoddinconsistencythatthemoresilentitwas，themorenoisestherewere。Thenoiseofherownneedleandthreadasshestitched，wasinfinitelylouderinherearsthanthestitchingofallthesixpupils，andofMissPupford，andofMissPupford’sassistant，allstitchingawayatonceonahighlyemulativeafternoon。Then，theschoolroomclockconducteditselfinawayinwhichithadneverconducteditselfbefore——felllame，somehow，andyetpersistedinrunningonashardandasloudasitcould:theconsequenceofwhichbehaviourwas，thatitstaggeredamongtheminutesinastateofthegreatestconfusion，andknockedthemaboutinalldirectionswithoutappearingtogetonwithitsregularwork。
　　Perhapsthisalarmedthestairs；butbethatasitmight，theybegantocreakinamostunusualmanner，andthenthefurniturebegantocrack，andthenpoorlittleMissKimmeens，notlikingthefurtiveaspectofthingsingeneral，begantosingasshestitched。But，itwasnotherownvoicethatsheheard——itwassomebodyelsemakingbelievetobeKitty，andsingingexcessivelyflat，withoutanyheart——soasthatwouldnevermendmatters，sheleftoffagain。
　　By—and—bythestitchingbecamesopalpableafailurethatMissKittyKimmeensfoldedherworkneatly，andputitawayinitsbox，andgaveitup。Thenthequestionaroseaboutreading。Butno；thebookthatwassodelightfulwhentherewassomebodyshelovedforhereyestofallonwhentheyrosefromthepage，hadnotmoreheartinitthanherownsingingnow。Thebookwenttoitsshelfastheneedleworkhadgonetoitsbox，and，sincesomethingMUSTbedone——
　　thoughtthechild，"I’llgoputmyroomtorights。"
　　Shesharedherroomwithherdearestlittlefriendamongtheotherfivepupils，andwhythenshouldshenowconceivealurkingdreadofthelittlefriend’sbedstead？Butshedid。Therewasastealthyairaboutitsinnocentwhitecurtains，andtherewereevendarkhintsofadeadgirllyingunderthecoverlet。Thegreatwantofhumancompany，thegreatneedofahumanface，begannowtoexpressitselfinthefacilitywithwhichthefurnitureputonstrangeexaggeratedresemblancestohumanlooks。Achairwithamenacingfrownwashorriblyoutoftemperinacorner；amostviciouschestofdrawerssnarledatherfrombetweenthewindows。Itwasnorelieftoescapefromthosemonsterstothelooking—glass，forthereflectionsaid，"What？Isthatyouallalonethere？Howyoustare！"Andthebackgroundwasallagreatvoidstareaswell。
　　Thedaydraggedon，draggingKittywithitveryslowlybythehairofherhead，untilitwastimetoeat。Thereweregoodprovisionsinthepantry，buttheirrightflavourandrelishhadevaporatedwiththefivepupils，andMissPupford，andMissPupford’sassistant，andthecookandhousemaid。Wherewastheuseoflayingtheclothsymmetricallyforonesmallguest，whohadgoneoneversincethemorninggrowingsmallerandsmaller，whiletheemptyhousehadgoneonswellinglargerandlarger？TheveryGracecameoutwrong，forwhowere"we"whoweregoingtoreceiveandbethankful？
　　So，MissKimmeenswasNOTthankful，andfoundherselftakingherdinnerinveryslovenlystyle——gobblingitup，inshort，ratherafterthemanneroftheloweranimals，nottoparticularisethepigs。
　　But，thiswasbynomeanstheworstofthechangewroughtoutinthenaturallylovingandcheerylittlecreatureasthesolitarydayworeon。Shebegantobroodandbesuspicious。Shediscoveredthatshewasfullofwrongsandinjuries。Allthepeoplesheknew，gottaintedbyherlonelythoughtsandturnedbad。
　　ItwasallverywellforPapa，awidowerinIndia，tosendherhometobeeducated，andtopayahandsomeroundsumeveryyearforhertoMissPupford，andtowritecharmingletterstohisdarlinglittledaughter；butwhatdidhecareforherbeingleftbyherself，whenhewas（asnodoubthealwayswas）enjoyinghimselfincompanyfrommorningtillnight？Perhapsheonlysentherhere，afterall，togetheroutoftheway。Itlookedlikeit——lookedlikeitto—day，thatis，forshehadneverdreamedofsuchathingbefore。
　　Andthisoldpupilwhowasbeingmarried。Itwasunsupportablyconceitedandselfishintheoldpupiltobemarried。Shewasveryvain，andverygladtoshowoff；butitwashighlyprobablethatshewasn’tpretty；andevenifshewerepretty（whichMissKimmeensnowtotallydenied），shehadnobusinesstobemarried；and，evenifmarriagewereconceded，shehadnobusinesstoaskMissPupfordtoherwedding。AstoMissPupford，shewastoooldtogotoanywedding。Sheoughttoknowthat。Shehadmuchbetterattendtoherbusiness。Shehadthoughtshelookedniceinthemorning，butshedidn’tlooknice。Shewasastupidoldthing。Gwasanotherstupidoldthing。MissPupford’sassistantwasanother。Theywereallstupidoldthingstogether。
　　Morethanthat:itbegantobeobviousthatthiswasaplot。Theyhadsaidtooneanother，"NevermindKitty；yougetoff，andI’llgetoff；andwe’llleaveKittytolookafterherself。Whocaresforher？"Tobesuretheywererightinthatquestion；forwhoDIDcareforher，apoorlittlelonelythingagainstwhomtheyallplannedandplotted？Nobody，nobody！HereKittysobbed。
　　Atallothertimesshewasthepetofthewholehouse，andlovedherfivecompanionsinreturnwithachild’stenderestandmostingenuousattachment；butnow，thefivecompanionsputonuglycolours，andappearedforthefirsttimeunderasullencloud。
　　Theretheywere，allattheirhomesthatday，beingmademuchof，beingtakenout，beingspoiltandmadedisagreeable，andcaringnothingforher。Itwasliketheirartfulselfishnessalwaystotellherwhentheycameback，underpretenceofconfidenceandfriendship，allthosedetailsaboutwheretheyhadbeen，andwhattheyhaddoneandseen，andhowoftentheyhadsaid，"O！IfwehadonlydarlinglittleKittyhere！"Hereindeed！Idaresay！Whentheycamebackaftertheholidays，theywereusedtobeingreceivedbyKitty，andtosayingthatcomingtoKittywaslikecomingtoanotherhome。Verywellthen，whydidtheygoaway？Ifthemeantit，whydidtheygoaway？Letthemanswerthat。Buttheydidn’tmeanit，andcouldn’tanswerthat，andtheydidn’ttellthetruth，andpeoplewhodidn’ttellthetruthwerehateful。Whentheycamebacknexttime，theyshouldbereceivedinanewmanner；theyshouldbeavoidedandshunned。
　　Andthere，thewhileshesatallalonerevolvinghowillshewasused，andhowmuchbettershewasthanthepeoplewhowerenotalone，theweddingbreakfastwasgoingon:noquestionofit！Withanastygreatbride—cake，andwiththoseridiculousorange—flowers，andwiththatconceitedbride，andthathideousbridegroom，andthoseheartlessbridesmaids，andMissPupfordstuckupatthetable！
　　Theythoughttheywereenjoyingthemselves，butitwouldcomehometothemonedaytohavethoughtso。Theywouldallbedeadinafewyears，letthemenjoythemselveseversomuch。Itwasareligiouscomforttoknowthat。
　　Itwassuchacomforttoknowit，thatlittleMissKittyKimmeenssuddenlysprangfromthechairinwhichshehadbeenmusinginacorner，andcriedout，"Othoseenviousthoughtsarenotmine，O
　　thiswickedcreatureisn’tme！Helpme，somebody！Igowrong，alonebymyweakself！Helpme，anybody！"
　　"——MissKimmeensisnotaprofessedphilosopher，sir，"saidMr。
　　Traveller，presentingheratthebarredwindow，andsmoothinghershininghair，"butIapprehendtherewassometinctureofphilosophyinherwords，andinthepromptactionwithwhichshefollowedthem。
　　Thatactionwas，toemergefromherunnaturalsolitude，andlookabroadforwholesomesympathy，tobestowandtoreceive。Herfootstepsstrayedtothisgate，bringingherherebychance，asanappositecontrasttoyou。Thechildcameout，sir。Ifyouhavethewisdomtolearnfromachild（butIdoubtit，forthatrequiresmorewisdomthanoneinyourconditionwouldseemtopossess），youcannotdobetterthanimitatethechild，andcomeouttoo——fromthatverydemoralisinghutchofyours。"
　　CHAPTERVII——PICKINGUPTHETINKER
　　Itwasnowsunset。TheHermithadbetakenhimselftohisbedofcindershalfanhourago，andlyingonitinhisblanketandskewerwithhisbacktothewindow，tooknotthesmallestheedoftheappealaddressedtohim。
　　Allthathadbeensaidforthelasttwohours，hadbeensaidtoatinklingaccompanimentperformedbytheTinker，whohadgottoworkuponsomevillager’spotorkettle，andwasworkingbrisklyoutside。
　　Thismusicstillcontinuing，seemedtoputitintoMr。Traveller’smindtohaveanotherwordortwowiththeTinker。So，holdingMissKimmeens（withwhomhewasnowonthemostfriendlyterms）bythehand，hewentoutatthegatetowheretheTinkerwasseatedathisworkonthepatchofgrassontheoppositesideoftheroad，withhiswalletoftoolsopenbeforehim，andhislittlefiresmoking。
　　"Iamgladtoseeyouemployed，"saidMr。Traveller。
　　"IamgladtoBEemployed，"returnedtheTinker，lookingupasheputthefinishingtouchestohisjob。"Butwhyareyouglad？"
　　IthoughtyouwerealazyfellowwhenIsawyouthismorning。"
　　"Iwasonlydisgusted，"saidtheTinker。
　　"Doyoumeanwiththefineweather？"
　　"Withthefineweather？"repeatedtheTinker，staring。
　　"Youtoldmeyouwerenotparticularastoweather，andIthought——"
　　"Ha，ha！Howshouldsuchasmegeton，ifweWASparticularastoweather？Wemusttakeitasitcomes，andmakethebestofit。
　　There’ssomethinggoodinallweathers。Ifitdon’thappentobegoodformyworkto—day，it’sgoodforsomeotherman’sto—day，andwillcomeroundtometo—morrow。Wemustalllive。"
　　"Prayshakehands，"saidMr。Traveller。
　　"Takecare，sir，"wastheTinker’scaution，ashereacheduphishandinsurprise；"theblackcomesoff。"
　　"Iamgladofit，"saidMr。Traveller。"Ihavebeenforseveralhoursamongotherblackthatdoesnotcomeoff。"
　　"YouarespeakingofTominthere？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Wellnow，"saidtheTinker，blowingthedustoffhisjob:whichwasfinished。"Ain’titenoughtodisgustapig，ifhecouldgivehismindtoit？"
　　"Ifhecouldgivehismindtoit，"returnedtheother，smiling，"theprobabilityisthathewouldn’tbeapig。"
　　"Thereyouclenchthenail，"returnedtheTinker。"Thenwhat’stobesaidforTom？"
　　"Truly，verylittle。"
　　"Trulynothingyoumean，sir，"saidtheTinker，asheputawayhistools。
　　"Abetteranswer，and（Ifreelyacknowledge）mymeaning。Iinferthathewasthecauseofyourdisgust？"
　　"Why，look’eehere，sir，"saidtheTinker，risingtohisfeet，andwipinghisfaceonthecornerofhisblackapronenergetically；"I
　　leaveyoutojudge！——Iaskyou！——LastnightIhasajobthatneedstobedoneinthenight，andIworksallnight。Well，there’snothinginthat。ButthismorningIcomesalongthisroadhere，lookingforasunnyandsoftspottosleepin，andIseesthisdesolationandruination。I’velivedmyselfindesolationandruination；Iknowsmanyafellow—creeturthat’sforcedtolivelifelongindesolationandruination；andIsitsmedownandtakespityonit，asIcastsmyeyesabout。Thencomesupthelong—windedoneasItoldyouof，fromthatgate，andspinshimselfoutlikeasilkwormconcerningtheDonkey（ifmyDonkeyathomewillexcuseme）
　　ashasmadeitall——madeitofhisownchoice！Andtellsme，ifyouplease，ofhislikewisechoosingtogoraggedandnaked，andgrimy——
　　maskerading，mountebanking，inwhatistherealhardlotofthousandsandthousands！Why，thenIsayit’saunbearableandnonsensicalpieceofinconsistency，andI’mdisgusted。I’mashamedanddisgusted！"
　　"Iwishyouwouldcomeandlookathim，"saidMr。Traveller，clappingtheTinkerontheshoulder。
　　"NotI，sir，"herejoined。"Iain’tagoingtoflatterhimupbylookingathim！"
　　"Butheisasleep。"
　　"Areyousureheisasleep？"askedtheTinker，withanunwillingair，asheshoulderedhiswallet。
　　"Sure。"
　　"ThenI’lllookathimforaquarterofaminute，"saidtheTinker，"sinceyousomuchwishit；butnotamomentlonger。"
　　Theyallthreewentbackacrosstheroad；and，throughthebarredwindow，bythedyingglowofthesunsetcominginatthegate——whichthechildheldopenforitsadmission——hecouldbeprettyclearlydiscernedlyingonhisbed。
　　"Youseehim？"askedMr。Traveller。
　　"Yes，"returnedtheTinker，"andhe’sworsethanIthoughthim。"
　　Mr。Travellerthenwhisperedinfewwordswhathehaddonesincemorning；andaskedtheTinkerwhathethoughtofthat？
　　"Ithink，"returnedtheTinker，asheturnedfromthewindow，"thatyou’vewastedadayonhim。"
　　"Ithinksotoo；thoughnot，Ihope，uponmyself。DoyouhappentobegoinganywherenearthePealofBells？"
　　"That’smydirectway，sir，"saidtheTinker。
　　"Iinviteyoutosupperthere。AndasIlearnfromthisyoungladythatshegoessomethree—quartersofamileinthesamedirection，wewilldropherontheroad，andwewillsparetimetokeephercompanyathergardengateuntilherownBellacomeshome。"
　　So，Mr。Traveller，andthechild，andtheTinker，wentalongveryamicablyinthesweet—scentedevening；andthemoralwithwhichtheTinkerdismissedthesubjectwas，thathesaidinhistradethatmetalthatrottedforwantofuse，hadbetterbelefttorot，andcouldn’trottoosoon，consideringhowmuchtruemetalrottedfromover—useandhardservice。
　　Footnotes:
　　{1}Dickensdidn’twritechapters2to5andtheyareomittedinthisedition。