第2章

Alittlelearningisadangerousthing，butalittlepatronageis，moreso;thethreeMissBrownsappointedalltheoldmaids，and，carefullyexcludedtheyoungones。Maidenauntstriumphed，mammas，werereducedtothelowestdepthsofdespair，andthereisno，tellinginwhatactofviolencethegeneralindignationagainstthe，threeMissBrownsmighthaveventeditself，hadnotaperfectly，providentialoccurrencechangedthetideofpublicfeeling。Mrs。

JohnsonParker，themotherofsevenextremelyfinegirls-all，unmarried-hastilyreportedtoseveralothermammasofseveral，otherunmarriedfamilies，thatfiveoldmen，sixoldwomen，and，childreninnumerable，inthefreeseatsnearherpew，wereinthe，habitofcomingtochurcheverySunday，withouteitherbibleor，prayer-book。Wasthistobeborneinacivilisedcountry？，Could，suchthingsbetoleratedinaChristianland？，Never！，Aladies’

bibleandprayer-bookdistributionsocietywasinstantlyformed：

president，Mrs。JohnsonParker;treasurers，auditors，and，secretary，theMissesJohnsonParker：，subscriptionswereentered，into，bookswerebought，allthefree-seatpeopleprovided，therewith，andwhenthefirstlessonwasgivenout，onthefirst，Sundaysucceedingtheseevents，therewassuchadroppingofbooks，andrustlingofleaves，thatitwasmorallyimpossibletohearone，wordoftheserviceforfiveminutesafterwards。

ThethreeMissBrowns，andtheirparty，sawtheapproachingdanger，andendeavouredtoavertitbyridiculeandsarcasm。Neitherthe，oldmennortheoldwomencouldreadtheirbooks，nowtheyhadgot，them，saidthethreeMissBrowns。Nevermind;theycouldlearn，repliedMrs。JohnsonParker。Thechildrencouldn’treadeither，suggestedthethreeMissBrowns。Nomatter;theycouldbetaught，retortedMrs。JohnsonParker。Abalanceofpartiestookplace。

TheMissBrownspubliclyexamined-popularfeelinginclinedtothe，child’sexaminationsociety。TheMissJohnsonParkerspublicly，distributed-areactiontookplaceinfavouroftheprayer-book，distribution。Afeatherwouldhaveturnedthescale，andafeather，didturnit。AmissionaryreturnedfromtheWestIndies;hewasto，bepresentedtotheDissenters’MissionarySocietyonhismarriage，withawealthywidow。OverturesweremadetotheDissentersbythe，JohnsonParkers。Theirobjectwasthesame，andwhynothavea，jointmeetingofthetwosocieties？，Thepropositionwasaccepted。

Themeetingwasdulyheraldedbypublicannouncement，andtheroom，wascrowdedtosuffocation。TheMissionaryappearedonthe，platform;hewashailedwithenthusiasm。Herepeatedadialoguehe，hadheardbetweentwonegroes，behindahedge，onthesubjectof，distributionsocieties;theapprobationwastumultuous。Hegavean，imitationofthetwonegroesinbrokenEnglish;theroofwasrent，withapplause。Fromthatperiodwedate(withonetrifling，exception)adailyincreaseinthepopularityofthedistribution，society，andanincreaseofpopularity，whichthefeebleand，impotentoppositionoftheexaminationparty，hasonlytendedto，augment。

Now，thegreatpointsaboutthechildbed-linenmonthlyloansociety，are，thatitislessdependentonthefluctuationsofpublic，opinionthaneitherthedistributionorthechild’sexamination;

andthat，comewhatmay，thereisneveranylackofobjectson，whichtoexerciseitsbenevolence。Ourparishisaverypopulous，one，and，ifanything，contributes，weshouldbedisposedtosay，rathermorethanitsduesharetotheaggregateamountofbirthsin，themetropolisanditsenvirons。Theconsequenceis，thatthe，monthlyloansocietyflourishes，andinvestsitsmemberswitha，mostenviableamountofbustlingpatronage。Thesociety(whose，onlynotionofdividingtime，wouldappeartobeitsallotmentinto，months)holdsmonthlytea-drinkings，atwhichthemonthlyreportis，received，asecretaryelectedforthemonthensuing，andsuchof，themonthlyboxesasmaynothappentobeoutonloanforthe，month，carefullyexamined。

Wewereneverpresentatoneofthesemeetings，fromallofwhich，itisscarcelynecessarytosay，gentlemenarecarefullyexcluded;

butMr。Bunghasbeencalledbeforetheboardonceortwice，andwe，havehisauthorityforstating，thatitsproceedingsareconducted，withgreatorderandregularity：，notmorethanfourmembersbeing，allowedtospeakatonetimeonanypretencewhatever。Theregular，committeeiscomposedexclusivelyofmarriedladies，butavast，numberofyoungunmarriedladiesoffromeighteentotwenty-five，yearsofage，respectively，areadmittedashonorarymembers，partlybecausetheyareveryusefulinreplenishingtheboxes，and，visitingtheconfined;partlybecauseitishighlydesirablethat，theyshouldbeinitiated，atanearlyperiod，intothemoreserious，andmatronlydutiesofafter-life;andpartly，becauseprudent，mammashavenotunfrequentlybeenknowntoturnthiscircumstance，towonderfullygoodaccountinmatrimonialspeculations。

Inadditiontotheloanofthemonthlyboxes(whicharealways，paintedblue，withthenameofthesocietyinlargewhiteletters，onthelid)，thesocietydispenseoccasionalgrantsofbeef-tea，andacompositionofwarmbeer，spice，eggs，andsugar，commonly，knownbythenameof’candle，’toitspatients。Andhereagainthe，servicesofthehonorarymembersarecalledintorequisition，and，mostcheerfullyconceded。Deputationsoftwosorthreesaresent，outtovisitthepatients，andontheseoccasionsthereissucha，tastingofcandleandbeef-tea，suchastirringaboutoflittle，messesintinysaucepansonthehob，suchadressingandundressing，ofinfants，suchatying，andfolding，andpinning;suchanursing，andwarmingoflittlelegsandfeetbeforethefire，sucha，delightfulconfusionoftalkingandcooking，bustle，importance，andofficiousness，asnevercanbeenjoyedinitsfullextentbut，onsimilaroccasions。

Inrivalryofthesetwoinstitutions，andasalastexpiringeffort，toacquireparochialpopularity，thechild’sexaminationpeople，determined，theotherday，onhavingagrandpublicexaminationof，thepupils;andthelargeschool-roomofthenationalseminarywas，byandwiththeconsentoftheparishauthorities，devotedtothe，purpose。Invitationcircularswereforwardedtoalltheprincipal，parishioners，including，ofcourse，theheadsoftheothertwo，societies，forwhoseespecialbehoofandedificationthedisplay，wasintended;andalargeaudiencewasconfidentlyanticipatedon，theoccasion。Thefloorwascarefullyscrubbedthedaybefore，undertheimmediatesuperintendenceofthethreeMissBrowns;forms，wereplacedacrosstheroomfortheaccommodationofthevisitors，specimensinwritingwerecarefullyselected，andascarefully，patchedandtouchedup，untiltheyastonishedthechildrenwhohad，writtenthem，rathermorethanthecompanywhoreadthem;sumsin，compoundadditionwererehearsedandre-rehearseduntilallthe，childrenhadthetotalsbyheart;andthepreparationsaltogether，wereonthemostlaboriousandmostcomprehensivescale。The，morningarrived：，thechildrenwereyellow-soapedandflannelled，andtowelled，tilltheirfacesshoneagain;everypupil’shairwas，carefullycombedintohisorhereyes，asthecasemightbe;the，girlswereadornedwithsnow-whitetippets，andcapsboundround，theheadbyasinglepurpleribbon：，thenecksoftheelderboys，werefixedintocollarsofstartlingdimensions。

Thedoorswerethrownopen，andtheMissesBrownandCo。were，discoveredinplainwhitemuslindresses，andcapsofthesame-

thechild’sexaminationuniform。Theroomfilled：，thegreetings，ofthecompanywereloudandcordial。Thedistributionists，trembled，fortheirpopularitywasatstake。Theeldestboyfell，forward，anddeliveredapropitiatoryaddressfrombehindhis，collar。ItwasfromthepenofMr。HenryBrown;theapplausewas，universal，andtheJohnsonParkerswereaghast。Theexamination，proceededwithsuccess，andterminatedintriumph。Thechild’s，examinationsocietygainedamomentaryvictory，andtheJohnson，Parkersretreatedindespair。

Asecretcouncilofthedistributionistswasheldthatnight，with，Mrs。JohnsonParkerinthechair，toconsiderofthebestmeansof，recoveringthegroundtheyhadlostinthefavouroftheparish。

Whatcouldbedone？，Anothermeeting！，Alas！whowastoattendit？

TheMissionarywouldnotdotwice;andtheslaveswereemancipated。

Aboldstepmustbetaken。Theparishmustbeastonishedinsome，wayorother;butnoonewasabletosuggestwhatthestepshould，be。Atlength，averyoldladywasheardtomumble，inindistinct，tones，’ExeterHall。’，Asuddenlightbrokeinuponthemeeting。

Itwasunanimouslyresolved，thatadeputationofoldladiesshould，waituponacelebratedorator，imploringhisassistance，andthe，favourofaspeech;andthedeputationshouldalsowaitontwoor，threeotherimbecileoldwomen，notresidentintheparish，and，entreattheirattendance。Theapplicationwassuccessful，the，meetingwasheld;theorator(anIrishman)came。Hetalkedof，greenisles-othershores-vastAtlantic-bosomofthedeep-

Christiancharity-bloodandextermination-mercyinhearts-

armsinhands-altarsandhomes-householdgods。Hewipedhis，eyes，heblewhisnose，andhequotedLatin。Theeffectwas，tremendous-theLatinwasadecidedhit。Nobodyknewexactlywhat，itwasabout，buteverybodyknewitmustbeaffecting，becauseeven，theoratorwasovercome。Thepopularityofthedistribution，societyamongtheladiesofourparishisunprecedented;andthe，child’sexaminationisgoingfasttodecay。

CHAPTERVII-OURNEXT-DOORNEIGHBOUR

Weareveryfondofspeculatingaswewalkthroughastreet，onthe，characterandpursuitsofthepeoplewhoinhabitit;andnothingso，materiallyassistsusinthesespeculationsastheappearanceof，thehousedoors。Thevariousexpressionsofthehumancountenance，affordabeautifulandinterestingstudy;butthereissomethingin，thephysiognomyofstreet-doorknockers，almostascharacteristic，andnearlyasinfallible。Wheneverwevisitamanforthefirst，time，wecontemplatethefeaturesofhisknockerwiththegreatest，curiosity，forwewellknow，thatbetweenthemanandhisknocker，therewillinevitablybeagreaterorlessdegreeofresemblance，andsympathy。

Forinstance，thereisonedescriptionofknockerthatusedtobe，commonenough，butwhichisfastpassingaway-alargeroundone，withthejollyfaceofaconviviallionsmilingblandlyatyou，as，youtwistthesidesofyourhairintoacurlorpullupyourshirt-

collarwhileyouarewaitingforthedoortobeopened;wenever，sawthatknockeronthedoorofachurlishman-sofarasour，experienceisconcerned，itinvariablybespokehospitalityand，anotherbottle。

Nomaneversawthisknockeronthedoorofasmallattorneyor，bill-broker;theyalwayspatronisetheotherlion;aheavy，ferocious-lookingfellow，withacountenanceexpressiveofsavage，stupidity-asortofgrandmasteramongtheknockers，andagreat，favouritewiththeselfishandbrutal。

ThenthereisalittlepertEgyptianknocker，withalongthin，face，apinched-upnose，andaverysharpchin;heismostinvogue，withyourgovernment-officepeople，inlightdrabsandstarched，cravats;littlespare，priggishmen，whoareperfectlysatisfied，withtheirownopinions，andconsiderthemselvesofparamount，importance。

Weweregreatlytroubledafewyearsago，bytheinnovationofa，newkindofknocker，withoutanyfaceatall，composedofawreath，dependingfromahandorsmalltruncheon。Alittletroubleand，attention，however，enabledustoovercomethisdifficulty，andto，reconcilethenewsystemtoourfavouritetheory。Youwill，invariablyfindthisknockeronthedoorsofcoldandformal，people，whoalwaysaskyouwhyyouDON’Tcome，andneversayDO。

Everybodyknowsthebrassknockeriscommontosuburbanvillas，and，extensiveboarding-schools;andhavingnoticedthisgenuswehave，recapitulatedallthemostprominentandstrongly-definedspecies。

Somephrenologistsaffirm，thattheagitationofaman’sbrainby，differentpassions，producescorrespondingdevelopmentsintheform，ofhisskull。Donotletusbeunderstoodaspushingourtheoryto，thefulllengthofasserting，thatanyalterationinaman’s，dispositionwouldproduceavisibleeffectonthefeatureofhis，knocker。Ourpositionmerelyis，thatinsuchacase，the，magnetismwhichmustexistbetweenamanandhisknocker，would，inducethemantoremove，andseeksomeknockermorecongenialto，hisalteredfeelings。Ifyoueverfindamanchanginghis，habitationwithoutanyreasonablepretext，dependuponit，that，althoughhemaynotbeawareofthefacthimself，itisbecausehe，andhisknockerareatvariance。Thisisanewtheory，butwe，venturetolaunchit，nevertheless，asbeingquiteasingeniousand，infallibleasmanythousandsofthelearnedspeculationswhichare，dailybroachedforpublicgoodandprivatefortune-making。

Entertainingthesefeelingsonthesubjectofknockers，itwillbe，readilyimaginedwithwhatconsternationweviewedtheentire，removaloftheknockerfromthedoorofthenexthousetotheone，welivedin，sometimeago，andthesubstitutionofabell。This，wasacalamitywehadneveranticipated。Thebareideaofanybody，beingabletoexistwithoutaknocker，appearedsowildand，visionary，thatithadneverforoneinstantenteredour，imagination。

Wesaunteredmoodilyfromthespot，andbentourstepstowards，Eaton-square，thenjustbuilding。Whatwasourastonishmentand，indignationtofindthatbellswerefastbecomingtherule，and，knockerstheexception！，Ourtheorytrembledbeneaththeshock。We，hastenedhome;andfancyingweforesawintheswiftprogressof，events，itsentireabolition，resolvedfromthatdayforwardto，ventourspeculationsonournext-doorneighboursinperson。The，houseadjoiningoursonthelefthandwasuninhabited，andwehad，therefore，plentyofleisuretoobserveournext-doorneighbourson，theotherside。

Thehousewithouttheknockerwasintheoccupationofacity，clerk，andtherewasaneatly-writtenbillintheparlourwindow，intimatingthatlodgingsforasinglegentlemanweretobelet，within。

Itwasaneat，dulllittlehouse，ontheshadysideoftheway，withnew，narrowfloorclothinthepassage，andnew，narrowstair-

carpetsuptothefirstfloor。Thepaperwasnew，andthepaint，wasnew，andthefurniturewasnew;andallthree，paper，paint，andfurniture，bespokethelimitedmeansofthetenant。Therewas，alittleredandblackcarpetinthedrawing-room，withaborderof，flooringallthewayround;afewstainedchairsandapembroke，table。Apinkshellwasdisplayedoneachofthelittle，sideboards，which，withtheadditionofatea-trayandcaddy，afew，moreshellsonthemantelpiece，andthreepeacock’sfeathers，tastefullyarrangedabovethem，completedthedecorativefurniture，oftheapartment。

Thiswastheroomdestinedforthereceptionofthesingle，gentlemanduringtheday，andalittlebackroomonthesamefloor，wasassignedashissleepingapartmentbynight。

Thebillhadnotbeenlonginthewindow，whenastout，good-

humouredlookinggentleman，ofaboutfive-and-thirty，appearedasa，candidateforthetenancy。Termsweresoonarranged，forthebill，wastakendownimmediatelyafterhisfirstvisit。Inadayortwo，thesinglegentlemancamein，andshortlyafterwardshisreal，charactercameout。

Firstofall，hedisplayedamostextraordinarypartialityfor，sittinguptillthreeorfouro’clockinthemorning，drinking，whiskey-and-water，andsmokingcigars;thenheinvitedfriends，home，whousedtocomeatteno’clock，andbegintogethappyabout，thesmallhours，whentheyevincedtheirperfectcontentmentby，singingsongswithhalf-a-dozenversesoftwolineseach，anda，chorusoften，whichchorususedtobeshoutedforthbythewhole，strengthofthecompany，inthemostenthusiasticandvociferous，manner，tothegreatannoyanceoftheneighbours，andthespecial，discomfortofanothersinglegentlemanoverhead。

Now，thiswasbadenough，occurringasitdidthreetimesaweekon，theaverage，butthiswasnotall;forwhenthecompanyDIDgo，away，insteadofwalkingquietlydownthestreet，asanybodyelse’s，companywouldhavedone，theyamusedthemselvesbymakingalarming，andfrightfulnoises，andcounterfeitingtheshrieksoffemalesin，distress;andonenight，ared-facedgentlemaninawhitehat，knockedinthemosturgentmanneratthedoorofthepowdered-

headedoldgentlemanatNo。3，andwhenthepowdered-headedold，gentleman，whothoughtoneofhismarrieddaughtersmusthavebeen，takenillprematurely，hadgropeddown-stairs，andafteragreat，dealofunboltingandkey-turning，openedthestreetdoor，thered-

facedmaninthewhitehatsaidhehopedhe’dexcusehisgivinghim，somuchtrouble，buthe’dfeelobligedifhe’dfavourhimwitha，glassofcoldspringwater，andtheloanofashillingforacabto，takehimhome，onwhichtheoldgentlemanslammedthedoorandwent，up-stairs，andthrewthecontentsofhiswaterjugoutofwindow-

verystraight，onlyitwentoverthewrongman;andthewhole，streetwasinvolvedinconfusion。

Ajoke’sajoke;andevenpracticaljestsareverycapitalintheir，way，ifyoucanonlygettheotherpartytoseethefunofthem;

butthepopulationofourstreetweresodullofapprehension，as，tobequitelosttoasenseofthedrolleryofthisproceeding：

andtheconsequencewas，thatournext-doorneighbourwasobliged，totellthesinglegentleman，thatunlesshegaveupentertaining，hisfriendsathome，hereallymustbecompelledtopartwithhim。

Thesinglegentlemanreceivedtheremonstrancewithgreatgood-

humour，andpromisedfromthattimeforward，tospendhisevenings，atacoffee-house-adeterminationwhichaffordedgeneraland，unmixedsatisfaction。

Thenextnightpassedoffverywell，everybodybeingdelightedwith，thechange;butonthenext，thenoiseswererenewedwithgreater，spiritthanever。Thesinglegentleman’sfriendsbeingunableto，seehiminhisownhouseeveryalternatenight，hadcometothe，determinationofseeinghimhomeeverynight;andwhatwiththe，discordantgreetingsofthefriendsatparting，andthenoise，createdbythesinglegentlemaninhispassageup-stairs，andhis，subsequentstrugglestogethisbootsoff，theevilwasnottobe，borne。So，ournext-doorneighbourgavethesinglegentleman，who，wasaverygoodlodgerinotherrespects，noticetoquit;andthe，singlegentlemanwentaway，andentertainedhisfriendsinother，lodgings。

Thenextapplicantforthevacantfirstfloor，wasofavery，differentcharacterfromthetroublesomesinglegentlemanwhohad，justquittedit。Hewasatall，thin，younggentleman，witha，profusionofbrownhair，reddishwhiskers，andveryslightly，developedmoustaches。Heworeabraidedsurtout，withfrogs，behind，lightgreytrousers，andwash-leathergloves，andhad，altogetherratheramilitaryappearance。Sounliketheroystering，singlegentleman。Suchinsinuatingmanners，andsuchadelightful，address！，Soseriouslydisposed，too！，Whenhefirstcametolook，atthelodgings，heinquiredmostparticularlywhetherhewassure，tobeabletogetaseatintheparishchurch;andwhenhehad，agreedtotakethem，herequestedtohavealistofthedifferent，localcharities，asheintendedtosubscribehismitetothemost，deservingamongthem。

Ournext-doorneighbourwasnowperfectlyhappy。Hehadgota，lodgeratlast，ofjusthisownwayofthinking-aserious，well-

disposedman，whoabhorredgaiety，andlovedretirement。Hetook，downthebillwithalightheart，andpicturedinimaginationa，longseriesofquietSundays，onwhichheandhislodgerwould，exchangemutualcivilitiesandSundaypapers。

Theseriousmanarrived，andhisluggagewastoarrivefromthe，countrynextmorning。Heborrowedacleanshirt，andaprayer-

book，fromournext-doorneighbour，andretiredtorestatanearly，hour，requestingthathemightbecalledpunctuallyatteno’clock，nextmorning-notbefore，ashewasmuchfatigued。

HeWAScalled，anddidnotanswer：，hewascalledagain，butthere，wasnoreply。Ournext-doorneighbourbecamealarmed，andburst，thedooropen。Theseriousmanhadleftthehousemysteriously;

carryingwithhimtheshirt，theprayer-book，ateaspoon，andthe，bedclothes。

Whetherthisoccurrence，coupledwiththeirregularitiesofhis，formerlodger，gaveournext-doorneighbouranaversiontosingle，gentlemen，weknownot;weonlyknowthatthenextbillwhichmade，itsappearanceintheparlourwindowintimatedgenerally，that，therewerefurnishedapartmentstoletonthefirstfloor。The，billwassoonremoved。Thenewlodgersatfirstattractedour，curiosity，andafterwardsexcitedourinterest。

Theywereayoungladofeighteenornineteen，andhismother，a，ladyofaboutfifty，oritmightbeless。Themotherworea，widow’sweeds，andtheboywasalsoclothedindeepmourning。They，werepoor-verypoor;fortheironlymeansofsupportarosefrom，thepittancetheboyearned，bycopyingwritings，andtranslating，forbooksellers。

TheyhadremovedfromsomecountryplaceandsettledinLondon;

partlybecauseitaffordedbetterchancesofemploymentforthe，boy，andpartly，perhaps，withthenaturaldesiretoleaveaplace，wheretheyhadbeeninbettercircumstances，andwheretheir，povertywasknown。Theywereproudundertheirreverses，andabove，revealingtheirwantsandprivationstostrangers。Howbitter，thoseprivationswere，andhowhardtheboyworkedtoremovethem，nooneeverknewbutthemselves。Nightafternight，two，three，fourhoursaftermidnight，couldweheartheoccasionalrakingup，ofthescantyfire，orthehollowandhalf-stifledcough，which，indicatedhisbeingstillatwork;anddayafterday，couldwesee，moreplainlythatnaturehadsetthatunearthlylightinhis，plaintiveface，whichisthebeaconofherworstdisease。

Actuated，wehope，byahigherfeelingthanmerecuriosity，we，contrivedtoestablish，firstanacquaintance，andthenaclose，intimacy，withthepoorstrangers。Ourworstfearswererealised;

theboywassinkingfast。Throughapartofthewinter，andthe，wholeofthefollowingspringandsummer，hislabourswere，unceasinglyprolonged：，andthemotherattemptedtoprocureneedle-

work，embroidery-anythingforbread。

Afewshillingsnowandthen，wereallshecouldearn。Theboy，workedsteadilyon;dyingbyminutes，butneveroncegiving，utterancetocomplaintormurmur。

Onebeautifulautumneveningwewenttopayourcustomaryvisitto，theinvalid。Hislittleremainingstrengthhadbeendecreasing，rapidlyfortwoorthreedayspreceding，andhewaslyingonthe，sofaattheopenwindow，gazingatthesettingsun。Hismotherhad，beenreadingtheBibletohim，forsheclosedthebookaswe，entered，andadvancedtomeetus。

’IwastellingWilliam，’shesaid，’thatwemustmanagetotakehim，intothecountrysomewhere，sothathemaygetquitewell。Heis，notill，youknow，butheisnotverystrong，andhasexerted，himselftoomuchlately。’，Poorthing！，Thetearsthatstreamed，throughherfingers，assheturnedaside，asiftoadjustherclose，widow’scap，tooplainlyshowedhowfruitlesswastheattemptto，deceiveherself。

Wesatdownbytheheadofthesofa，butsaidnothing，forwesaw，thebreathoflifewaspassinggentlybutrapidlyfromtheyoung，formbeforeus。Ateveryrespiration，hisheartbeatmoreslowly。

Theboyplacedonehandinours，graspedhismother’sarmwiththe，other，drewherhastilytowardshim，andferventlykissedher，cheek。Therewasapause。Hesunkbackuponhispillow，and，lookedlongandearnestlyinhismother’sface。

’William，William！’murmuredthemother，afteralonginterval，’don’tlookatmeso-speaktome，dear！’

Theboysmiledlanguidly，butaninstantafterwardshisfeatures，resolvedintothesamecold，solemngaze。

’William，dearWilliam！rouseyourself;don’tlookatmeso，love-

praydon’t！，Oh，myGod！whatshallIdo！’criedthewidow，claspingherhandsinagony-’mydearboy！heisdying！’，Theboy，raisedhimselfbyaviolenteffort，andfoldedhishandstogether-

’Mother！dear，dearmother，burymeintheopenfields-anywhere，butinthesedreadfulstreets。Ishouldliketobewhereyoucan，seemygrave，butnotintheseclosecrowdedstreets;theyhave，killedme;kissmeagain，mother;putyourarmroundmyneck-’

Hefellback，andastrangeexpressionstoleuponhisfeatures;not，ofpainorsuffering，butanindescribablefixingofeverylineand，muscle。

Theboywasdead。

SCENES

CHAPTERI-THESTREETS-MORNING

TheappearancepresentedbythestreetsofLondonanhourbefore，sunrise，onasummer’smorning，ismoststrikingeventothefew，whoseunfortunatepursuitsofpleasure，orscarcelyless，unfortunatepursuitsofbusiness，causethemtobewellacquainted，withthescene。Thereisanairofcold，solitarydesolationabout，thenoiselessstreetswhichweareaccustomedtoseethrongedat，othertimesbyabusy，eagercrowd，andoverthequiet，closely-

shutbuildings，whichthroughoutthedayareswarmingwithlifeand，bustle，thatisveryimpressive。

Thelastdrunkenman，whoshallfindhiswayhomebeforesunlight，hasjuststaggeredheavilyalong，roaringouttheburdenofthe，drinkingsongofthepreviousnight：，thelasthouselessvagrant，whompenuryandpolicehaveleftinthestreets，hascoileduphis，chillylimbsinsomepavedcomer，todreamoffoodandwarmth。The，drunken，thedissipated，andthewretchedhavedisappeared;the，moresoberandorderlypartofthepopulationhavenotyetawakened，tothelaboursoftheday，andthestillnessofdeathisoverthe，streets;itsveryhueseemstobeimpartedtothem，coldand，lifelessastheylookinthegrey，sombrelightofdaybreak。The，coach-standsinthelargerthoroughfaresaredeserted：，thenight-

housesareclosed;andthechosenpromenadesofprofligatemisery，areempty。

Anoccasionalpolicemanmayalonebeseenatthestreetcorners，listlesslygazingonthedesertedprospectbeforehim;andnowand，thenarakish-lookingcatrunsstealthilyacrosstheroadand，descendshisownareawithasmuchcautionandslyness-bounding，firstonthewater-butt，thenonthedust-hole，andthenalighting，ontheflag-stones-asifhewereconsciousthathischaracter，dependedonhisgallantryoftheprecedingnightescapingpublic，observation。Apartiallyopenedbedroom-windowhereandthere，bespeakstheheatoftheweather，andtheuneasyslumbersofits，occupant;andthedimscantyflickeroftherushlight，throughthe，window-blind，denotesthechamberofwatchingorsickness。With，thesefewexceptions，thestreetspresentnosignsoflife，northe，housesofhabitation。

Anhourwearsaway;thespiresofthechurchesandroofsofthe，principalbuildingsarefaintlytingedwiththelightoftherising，sun;andthestreets，byalmostimperceptibledegrees，beginto，resumetheirbustleandanimation。Market-cartsrollslowlyalong：

thesleepywaggonerimpatientlyurgingonhistiredhorses，or，vainlyendeavouringtoawakentheboy，who，luxuriouslystretched，onthetopofthefruit-baskets，forgets，inhappyoblivion，his，long-cherishedcuriositytobeholdthewondersofLondon。

Rough，sleepy-lookinganimalsofstrangeappearance，something，betweenostlersandhackney-coachmen，begintotakedownthe，shuttersofearlypublic-houses;andlittledealtables，withthe，ordinarypreparationsforastreetbreakfast，maketheirappearance，atthecustomarystations。Numbersofmenandwomen(principally，thelatter)，carryingupontheirheadsheavybasketsoffruit，toil，downtheparksideofPiccadilly，ontheirwaytoCovent-garden，and，followingeachotherinrapidsuccession，formalong，stragglinglinefromthencetotheturnoftheroadat，Knightsbridge。

Hereandthere，abricklayer’slabourer，withtheday’sdinnertied，upinahandkerchief，walksbrisklytohiswork，andoccasionallya，littleknotofthreeorfourschoolboysonastolenbathing，expeditionrattlemerrilyoverthepavement，theirboisterousmirth，contrastingforciblywiththedemeanourofthelittlesweep，who，havingknockedandrungtillhisarmaches，andbeinginterdicted，byamercifullegislaturefromendangeringhislungsbycalling，out，sitspatientlydownonthedoor-step，untilthehousemaidmay，happentoawake。

Covent-gardenmarket，andtheavenuesleadingtoit，arethronged，withcartsofallsorts，sizes，anddescriptions，fromtheheavy，lumberingwaggon，withitsfourstouthorses，tothejingling，costermonger’scart，withitsconsumptivedonkey。Thepavementis，alreadystrewedwithdecayedcabbage-leaves，brokenhay-bands，and，alltheindescribablelitterofavegetablemarket;menare，shouting，cartsbacking，horsesneighing，boysfighting，basket-

womentalking，piemenexpatiatingontheexcellenceoftheir，pastry，anddonkeysbraying。Theseandahundredothersoundsform，acompounddiscordantenoughtoaLondoner’sears，andremarkably，disagreeabletothoseofcountrygentlemenwhoaresleepingatthe，Hummumsforthefirsttime。

Anotherhourpassesaway，andthedaybeginsingoodearnest。The，servantofallwork，who，underthepleaofsleepingverysoundly，hasutterlydisregarded’Missis’s’ringingforhalfanhour，previously，iswarnedbyMaster(whomMissishassentupinhis，draperytothelanding-placeforthatpurpose)，thatit’shalf-past，six，whereuponsheawakesallofasudden，withwell-feigned，astonishment，andgoesdown-stairsverysulkily，wishing，whileshe，strikesalight，thattheprincipleofspontaneouscombustionwould，extenditselftocoalsandkitchenrange。Whenthefireis，lighted，sheopensthestreet-doortotakeinthemilk，when，by，themostsingularcoincidenceintheworld，shediscoversthatthe，servantnextdoorhasjusttakeninhermilktoo，andthatMr。

Todd’syoungmanovertheway，is，byanequallyextraordinary，chance，takingdownhismaster’sshutters。Theinevitable，consequenceis，thatshejuststeps，milk-juginhand，asfaras，nextdoor，justtosay’goodmorning’toBetsyClark，andthatMr。

Todd’syoungmanjuststepsoverthewaytosay’goodmorning’to，bothof’em;andastheaforesaidMr。Todd’syoungmanisalmostas，good-lookingandfascinatingasthebakerhimself，theconversation，quicklybecomesveryinteresting，andprobablywouldbecomemore，so，ifBetsyClark’sMissis，whoalwayswillbea-followin’her，about，didn’tgiveanangrytapatherbedroomwindow，onwhichMr。

Todd’syoungmantriestowhistlecoolly，ashegoesbacktohis，shopmuchfasterthanhecamefromit;andthetwogirlsrunback，totheirrespectiveplaces，andshuttheirstreet-doorswith，surprisingsoftness，eachofthempokingtheirheadsoutofthe，frontparlourwindow，aminuteafterwards，however，ostensiblywith，theviewoflookingatthemailwhichjustthenpassesby，but，reallyforthepurposeofcatchinganotherglimpseofMr。Todd’s，youngman，whobeingfondofmails，butmoreoffemales，takesa，shortlookatthemails，andalonglookatthegirls，muchtothe，satisfactionofallpartiesconcerned。

Themailitselfgoesontothecoach-officeinduecourse，andthe，passengerswhoaregoingoutbytheearlycoach，starewith，astonishmentatthepassengerswhoarecominginbytheearly，coach，wholookblueanddismal，andareevidentlyunderthe，influenceofthatoddfeelingproducedbytravelling，whichmakes，theeventsofyesterdaymorningseemasiftheyhadhappenedat，leastsixmonthsago，andinducespeopletowonderwith，considerablegravitywhetherthefriendsandrelationstheytook，leaveofafortnightbefore，havealteredmuchsincetheyhaveleft，them。Thecoach-officeisallalive，andthecoacheswhichare，justgoingout，aresurroundedbytheusualcrowdofJewsand，nondescripts，whoseemtoconsider，Heavenknowswhy，thatitis，quiteimpossibleanymancanmountacoachwithoutrequiringat，leastsixpenny-worthoforanges，apenknife，apocket-book，alast，year’sannual，apencil-case，apieceofsponge，andasmallseries，ofcaricatures。

Halfanhourmore，andthesundartshisbrightrayscheerfully，downthestillhalf-emptystreets，andshineswithsufficientforce，torousethedismallazinessoftheapprentice，whopausesevery，otherminutefromhistaskofsweepingouttheshopandwatering，thepavementinfrontofit，totellanotherapprenticesimilarly，employed，howhotitwillbeto-day，ortostandwithhisright，handshadinghiseyes，andhisleftrestingonthebroom，gazingat，the’Wonder，’orthe’Tally-ho，’orthe’Nimrod，’orsomeother，fastcoach，tillitisoutofsight，whenhere-enterstheshop，envyingthepassengersontheoutsideofthefastcoach，and，thinkingoftheoldredbrickhouse’downinthecountry，’wherehe，wenttoschool：，themiseriesofthemilkandwater，andthick，breadandscrapings，fadingintonothingbeforethepleasant，recollectionofthegreenfieldtheboysusedtoplayin，andthe，greenpondhewascanedforpresumingtofallinto，andother，schoolboyassociations。

Cabs，withtrunksandband-boxesbetweenthedrivers’legsand，outsidetheapron，rattlebrisklyupanddownthestreetsontheir，waytothecoach-officesorsteam-packetwharfs;andthecab-

driversandhackney-coachmenwhoareonthestandpolishupthe，ornamentalpartoftheirdingyvehicles-theformerwonderinghow，peoplecanprefer’themwildbeastcariwansofhomnibuses，toa，riglarcabwithafasttrotter，’andthelatteradmiringhowpeople，cantrusttheirnecksintooneof’themcrazycabs，whentheycan，havea’spectable’ackneycotchewithapairof’orsesasvon’trun，awaywithnovun;’aconsolationunquestionablyfoundedonfact，seeingthatahackney-coachhorseneverwasknowntorunatall，’except，’asthesmartcabmaninfrontoftherankobserves，’exceptone，andHErunback’ards。’

Theshopsarenowcompletelyopened，andapprenticesandshopmen，arebusilyengagedincleaninganddeckingthewindowsfortheday。

Thebakers’shopsintownarefilledwithservantsandchildren，waitingforthedrawingofthefirstbatchofrolls-anoperation，whichwasperformedafullhouragointhesuburbs：，fortheearly，clerkpopulationofSomersandCamdentowns，Islington，and，Pentonville，arefastpouringintothecity，ordirectingtheir，stepstowardsChancery-laneandtheInnsofCourt。Middle-aged，men，whosesalarieshavebynomeansincreasedinthesame，proportionastheirfamilies，plodsteadilyalong，apparentlywith，noobjectinviewbutthecounting-house;knowingbysightalmost，everybodytheymeetorovertake，fortheyhaveseenthemevery，morning(Sundayexcepted)duringthelasttwentyyears，but，speakingtonoone。Iftheydohappentoovertakeapersonal，acquaintance，theyjustexchangeahurriedsalutation，andkeep，walkingoneitherbyhisside，orinfrontofhim，ashisrateof，walkingmaychancetobe。Astostoppingtoshakehands，orto，takethefriend’sarm，theyseemtothinkthatasitisnot，includedintheirsalary，theyhavenorighttodoit。Small，officeladsinlargehats，whoaremademenbeforetheyareboys，hurryalonginpairs，withtheirfirstcoatcarefullybrushed，and，thewhitetrousersoflastSundayplentifullybesmearedwithdust，andink。Itevidentlyrequiresaconsiderablementalstruggleto，avoidinvestingpartoftheday’sdinner-moneyinthepurchaseof，thestaletartssotemptinglyexposedindustytinsatthepastry-

cooks’doors;butaconsciousnessoftheirownimportanceandthe，receiptofsevenshillingsa-week，withtheprospectofanearly，risetoeight，comestotheiraid，andtheyaccordinglyputtheir，hatsalittlemoreononeside，andlookunderthebonnetsofall，themilliners’andstay-makers’apprenticestheymeet-poorgirls！-

thehardestworked，theworstpaid，andtoooften，theworstused，classofthecommunity。

Eleveno’clock，andanewsetofpeoplefillthestreets。The，goodsintheshop-windowsareinvitinglyarranged;theshopmenin，theirwhiteneckerchiefsandsprucecoats，lookasittheycouldn’t，cleanawindowiftheirlivesdependedonit;thecartshave，disappearedfromCovent-garden;thewaggonershavereturned，and，thecostermongersrepairedtotheirordinary’beats’inthe，suburbs;clerksareattheiroffices，andgigs，cabs，omnibuses，andsaddle-horses，areconveyingtheirmasterstothesame，destination。Thestreetsarethrongedwithavastconcourseof，people，gayandshabby，richandpoor，idleandindustrious;andwe，cometotheheat，bustle，andactivityofNOON。

CHAPTERII-THESTREETS-NIGHT

ButthestreetsofLondon，tobebeheldintheveryheightoftheir，glory，shouldbeseenonadark，dull，murkywinter’snight，when，thereisjustenoughdampgentlystealingdowntomakethepavement，greasy，withoutcleansingitofanyofitsimpurities;andwhenthe，heavylazymist，whichhangsovereveryobject，makesthegas-lamps，lookbrighter，andthebrilliantly-lightedshopsmoresplendid，fromthecontrasttheypresenttothedarknessaround。Allthe，peoplewhoareathomeonsuchanightasthis，seemdisposedto，makethemselvesassnugandcomfortableaspossible;andthe，passengersinthestreetshaveexcellentreasontoenvythe，fortunateindividualswhoareseatedbytheirownfiresides。

Inthelargerandbetterkindofstreets，diningparlourcurtains，arecloselydrawn，kitchenfiresblazebrightlyup，andsavoury，steamsofhotdinnerssalutethenostrilsofthehungrywayfarer，asheplodswearilybythearearailings。Inthesuburbs，the，muffinboyringshiswaydownthelittlestreet，muchmoreslowly，thanheiswonttodo;forMrs。Macklin，ofNo。4，hasnosooner，openedherlittlestreet-door，andscreamedout’Muffins！’withall，hermight，thanMrs。Walker，atNo。5，putsherheadoutofthe，parlour-window，andscreams’Muffins！’too;andMrs。Walkerhas，scarcelygotthewordsoutofherlips，thanMrs。Peplow，overthe，way，letslooseMasterPeplow，whodartsdownthestreet，witha，velocitywhichnothingbutbutteredmuffinsinperspectivecould，possiblyinspire，anddragstheboybackbymainforce，whereupon，Mrs。MacklinandMrs。Walker，justtosavetheboytrouble，andto，sayafewneighbourlywordstoMrs。Peplowatthesametime，run，overthewayandbuytheirmuffinsatMrs。Peplow’sdoor，whenit，appearsfromthevoluntarystatementofMrs。Walker，thather，’kittle’sjista-biling，andthecupsandsarsersreadylaid，’and，that，asitwassuchawretchednightouto’doors，she’dmadeup，hermindtohaveanice，hot，comfortablecupo’tea-a，determinationatwhich，bythemostsingularcoincidence，theother，twoladieshadsimultaneouslyarrived。

Afteralittleconversationaboutthewretchednessoftheweather，andthemeritsoftea，withadigressionrelativetothe，viciousnessofboysasarule，andtheamiabilityofMasterPeplow，asanexception，Mrs。Walkerseesherhusbandcomingdownthe，street;andashemustwanthistea，poorman，afterhisdirtywalk，fromtheDocks，sheinstantlyrunsacross，muffinsinhand，and，Mrs。Macklindoesthesame，andafterafewwordstoMrs。Walker，theyallpopintotheirlittlehouses，andslamtheirlittle，street-doors，whicharenotopenedagainfortheremainderofthe，evening，excepttothenineo’clock’beer，’whocomesroundwitha，lanterninfrontofhistray，andsays，ashelendsMrs。Walker，’Yesterday’s’Tiser，’thathe’sblessedifhecanhardlyholdthe，pot，muchlessfeelthepaper，forit’soneofthebitterestnights，heeverfelt，’ceptthenightwhenthemanwasfrozentodeathin，theBrick-field。

Afteralittlepropheticconversationwiththepolicemanatthe，street-corner，touchingaprobablechangeintheweather，andthe，setting-inofahardfrost，thenineo’clockbeerreturnstohis，master’shouse，andemployshimselffortheremainderofthe，evening，inassiduouslystirringthetap-roomfire，and，deferentiallytakingpartintheconversationoftheworthies，assembledroundit。

ThestreetsinthevicinityoftheMarsh-gateandVictoriaTheatre，presentanappearanceofdirtanddiscomfortonsuchanight，which，thegroupswholoungeabouttheminnodegreetendtodiminish。

Eventhelittleblock-tintemplesacredtobakedpotatoes，surmountedbyasplendiddesigninvariegatedlamps，lookslessgay，thanusual，andastothekidney-piestand，itsgloryhasquite，departed。Thecandleinthetransparentlamp，manufacturedofoil-

paper，embellishedwith’characters，’hasbeenblownoutfifty，times，sothekidney-piemerchant，tiredwithrunningbackwardsand，forwardstothenextwine-vaults，togetalight，hasgivenupthe，ideaofilluminationindespair，andtheonlysignsofhis，’whereabout，’arethebrightsparks，ofwhichalongirregular，trainiswhirleddownthestreeteverytimeheopenshisportable，oventohandahotkidney-pietoacustomer。

Flat-fish，oyster，andfruitvendorslingerhopelesslyinthe，kennel，invainendeavouringtoattractcustomers;andtheragged，boyswhousuallydisportthemselvesaboutthestreets，stand，crouchedinlittleknotsinsomeprojectingdoorway，orunderthe，canvasblindofacheesemonger’s，wheregreatflaringgas-lights，unshadedbyanyglass，displayhugepilesofblightredandpale，yellowcheeses，mingledwithlittlefivepennydabsofdingybacon，varioustubsofweeklyDorset，andcloudyrollsof’bestfresh。’

Heretheyamusethemselveswiththeatricalconverse，arisingoutof，theirlasthalf-pricevisittotheVictoriagallery，admirethe，terrificcombat，whichisnightlyencored，andexpatiateonthe，inimitablemannerinwhichBillThompsoncan’comethedouble，monkey，’orgothroughthemysteriousinvolutionsofasailor’s，hornpipe。

Itisnearlyeleveno’clock，andthecoldthinrainwhichhasbeen，drizzlingsolong，isbeginningtopourdowningoodearnest;the，baked-potatomanhasdeparted-thekidney-piemanhasjustwalked，awaywithhiswarehouseonhisarm-thecheesemongerhasdrawnin，hisblind，andtheboyshavedispersed。Theconstantclickingof，pattensontheslippyandunevenpavement，andtherustlingof，umbrellas，asthewindblowsagainsttheshop-windows，bear，testimonytotheinclemencyofthenight;andthepoliceman，with，hisoilskincapebuttonedcloselyroundhim，seemsasheholdshis，hatonhishead，andturnsroundtoavoidthegustofwindandrain，whichdrivesagainsthimatthestreet-corner，tobeveryfarfrom，congratulatinghimselfontheprospectbeforehim。

Thelittlechandler’sshopwiththecrackedbellbehindthedoor，whosemelancholytinklinghasbeenregulatedbythedemandfor，quarternsofsugarandhalf-ouncesofcoffee，isshuttingup。The，crowdswhichhavebeenpassingtoandfroduringthewholeday，are，rapidlydwindlingaway;andthenoiseofshoutingandquarrelling，whichissuesfromthepublic-houses，isalmosttheonlysoundthat，breaksthemelancholystillnessofthenight。

Therewasanother，butithasceased。Thatwretchedwomanwiththe，infantinherarms，roundwhosemeagreformtheremnantofherown，scantyshawliscarefullywrapped，hasbeenattemptingtosingsome，popularballad，inthehopeofwringingafewpencefromthe，compassionatepasser-by。Abrutallaughatherweakvoiceisall，shehasgained。Thetearsfallthickandfastdownherownpale，face;thechildiscoldandhungry，anditslowhalf-stifled，wailingaddstothemiseryofitswretchedmother，asshemoans，aloud，andsinksdespairinglydown，onacolddampdoor-step。

Singing！，Howfewofthosewhopasssuchamiserablecreatureas，this，thinkoftheanguishofheart，thesinkingofsouland，spirit，whichtheveryeffortofsingingproduces。Bittermockery！

Disease，neglect，andstarvation，faintlyarticulatingthewordsof，thejoyousditty，thathasenlivenedyourhoursoffeastingand，merriment，Godknowshowoften！，Itisnosubjectofjeering。The，weaktremulousvoicetellsafearfultaleofwantandfamishing;

andthefeeblesingerofthisroaringsongmayturnaway，onlyto，dieofcoldandhunger。

Oneo’clock！，Partiesreturningfromthedifferenttheatresfootit，throughthemuddystreets;cabs，hackney-coaches，carriages，and，theatreomnibuses，rollswiftlyby;watermenwithdimdirty，lanternsintheirhands，andlargebrassplatesupontheirbreasts，whohavebeenshoutingandrushingaboutforthelasttwohours，retiretotheirwatering-houses，tosolacethemselveswiththe，creaturecomfortsofpipesandpurl;thehalf-pricepitandbox，frequentersofthetheatresthrongtothedifferenthousesof，refreshment;andchops，kidneys，rabbits，oysters，stout，cigars，and’goes’innumerable，areservedupamidstanoiseandconfusion，ofsmoking，running，knife-clattering，andwaiter-chattering，perfectlyindescribable。

Themoremusicalportionoftheplay-goingcommunitybetake，themselvestosomeharmonicmeeting。Asamatterofcuriositylet，usfollowthemthitherforafewmoments。

Inaloftyroomofspaciousdimensions，areseatedsomeeightyora，hundredguestsknockinglittlepewtermeasuresonthetables，and，hammeringaway，withthehandlesoftheirknives，asiftheywere，somanytrunk-makers。Theyareapplaudingaglee，whichhasjust，beenexecutedbythethree’professionalgentlemen’atthetopof，thecentretable，oneofwhomisinthechair-thelittlepompous，manwiththebaldheadjustemergingfromthecollarofhisgreen，coat。Theothersareseatedoneithersideofhim-thestoutman，withthesmallvoice，andthethin-faceddarkmaninblack。The，littlemaninthechairisamostamusingpersonage，-such，condescendinggrandeur，andSUCHavoice！

’Bass！’astheyounggentlemannearuswiththebluestockforcibly，remarkstohiscompanion，’bass！，Ib’lieveyou;hecangodown，lowerthananyman：，solowsometimesthatyoucan’thearhim。’

Andsohedoes。Tohearhimgrowlingaway，graduallylowerand，lowerdown，tillhecan’tgetbackagain，isthemostdelightful，thingintheworld，anditisquiteimpossibletowitnessunmoved，theimpressivesolemnitywithwhichhepoursforthhissoulin’My，’art’sinthe’ighlands，’or’ThebraveoldHoak。’，Thestoutman，isalsoaddictedtosentimentality，andwarbles’Fly，flyfromthe，world，myBessy，withme，’orsomesuchsong，withlady-like，sweetness，andinthemostseductivetonesimaginable。

’Praygiveyourorders，gen’l’m’n-praygiveyourorders，’-says，thepale-facedmanwiththeredhead;anddemandsfor’goes’ofgin，and’goes’ofbrandy，andpintsofstout，andcigarsofpeculiar，mildness，arevociferouslymadefromallpartsoftheroom。The，’professionalgentlemen’areintheveryheightoftheirglory，and，bestowcondescendingnods，orevenawordortwoofrecognition，on，thebetter-knownfrequentersoftheroom，inthemostblandand，patronisingmannerpossible。

Thelittleround-facedman，withthesmallbrownsurtout，white，stockingsandshoes，isinthecomicline;themixedairofself-

denial，andmentalconsciousnessofhisownpowers，withwhichhe，acknowledgesthecallofthechair，isparticularlygratifying。

’Gen’l’men，’saysthelittlepompousman，accompanyingtheword，withaknockofthepresident’shammeronthetable-’Gen’l’men，allowmetoclaimyourattention-ourfriend，Mr。Smuggins，will，oblige。’-’Bravo！’shoutthecompany;andSmuggins，aftera，considerablequantityofcoughingbywayofsymphony，andamost，facetioussniffortwo，whichaffordgeneraldelight，singsacomic，song，withafal-de-ral-tol-de-ralchorusattheendofevery，verse，muchlongerthantheverseitself。Itisreceivedwith，unboundedapplause，andaftersomeaspiringgeniushasvolunteered，arecitation，andfaileddismallytherein，thelittlepompousman，givesanotherknock，andsays’Gen’l’men，wewillattemptaglee，ifyouplease。’，Thisannouncementcallsforthtumultuousapplause，andthemoreenergeticspiritsexpresstheunqualifiedapprobation，itaffordsthem，byknockingoneortwostoutglassesofftheir，legs-ahumorousdevice;butonewhichfrequentlyoccasionssome，slightaltercationwhentheformofpayingthedamageisproposed，tobegonethroughbythewaiter。

Sceneslikethesearecontinueduntilthreeorfouro’clockinthe，morning;andevenwhentheyclose，freshonesopentothe，inquisitivenovice。Butasadescriptionofallofthem，however，slight，wouldrequireavolume，thecontentsofwhich，however，instructive，wouldbebynomeanspleasing，wemakeourbow，and，dropthecurtain。

CHAPTERIII-SHOPSANDTHEIRTENANTS

Whatinexhaustiblefoodforspeculation，dothestreetsofLondon，afford！，WeneverwereabletoagreewithSterneinpityingtheman，whocouldtravelfromDantoBeersheba，andsaythatallwas，barren;wehavenottheslightestcommiserationforthemanwhocan，takeuphishatandstick，andwalkfromCovent-gardentoSt。

Paul’sChurchyard，andbackintothebargain，withoutderivingsome，amusement-wehadalmostsaidinstruction-fromhis，perambulation。Andyettherearesuchbeings：，wemeetthemevery，day。Largeblackstocksandlightwaistcoats，jetcanesand，discontentedcountenances，arethecharacteristicsoftherace;

otherpeoplebrushquicklybyyou，steadilyploddingonto，business，orcheerfullyrunningafterpleasure。Thesemenlinger，listlesslypast，lookingashappyandanimatedasapolicemanon，duty。Nothingseemstomakeanimpressionontheirminds：，nothing，shortofbeingknockeddownbyaporter，orrunoverbyacab，will，disturbtheirequanimity。Youwillmeetthemonafinedayinany，oftheleadingthoroughfares：，peepthroughthewindowofawest-

endcigarshopintheevening，ifyoucanmanagetogetaglimpse，betweenthebluecurtainswhichinterceptthevulgargaze，andyou，seethemintheironlyenjoymentofexistence。Theretheyare，loungingabout，onroundtubsandpipeboxes，inallthedignityof，whiskers，andgiltwatch-guards;whisperingsoftnothingstothe，youngladyinamber，withthelargeear-rings，who，asshesits，behindthecounterinablazeofadorationandgas-light，isthe，admirationofallthefemaleservantsintheneighbourhood，andthe，envyofeverymilliner’sapprenticewithintwomilesround。

Oneofourprincipalamusementsistowatchthegradualprogress-

theriseorfall-ofparticularshops。Wehaveformedanintimate，acquaintancewithseveral，indifferentpartsoftown，andare，perfectlyacquaintedwiththeirwholehistory。Wecouldnameoff-

hand，twentyatleast，whichwearequitesurehavepaidnotaxes，forthelastsixyears。Theyareneverinhabitedformorethantwo，monthsconsecutively，and，weverilybelieve，havewitnessedevery，retailtradeinthedirectory。

Thereisone，whosehistoryisasampleoftherest，inwhosefate，wehavetakenespecialinterest，havinghadthepleasureofknowing，iteversinceithasbeenashop。ItisontheSurreysideofthe，water-alittledistancebeyondtheMarsh-gate。Itwasoriginally，asubstantial，good-lookingprivatehouseenough;thelandlordgot，intodifficulties，thehousegotintoChancery，thetenantwent，away，andthehousewenttoruin。Atthisperiodouracquaintance，withitcommenced;thepaintwasallwornoff;thewindowswere，broken，theareawasgreenwithneglectandtheoverflowingsofthe，water-butt;thebuttitselfwaswithoutalid，andthestreet-door，wastheverypictureofmisery。Thechiefpastimeofthechildren，inthevicinityhadbeentoassembleinabodyonthesteps，andto，takeitinturntoknocklouddoubleknocksatthedoor，tothe，greatsatisfactionoftheneighboursgenerally，andespeciallyof，thenervousoldladynextdoorbutone。Numerouscomplaintswere，made，andseveralsmallbasinsofwaterdischargedoverthe，offenders，butwithouteffect。Inthisstateofthings，the，marine-storedealeratthecornerofthestreet，inthemost，obligingmannertooktheknockeroff，andsoldit：，andthe，unfortunatehouselookedmorewretchedthanever。

Wedesertedourfriendforafewweeks。Whatwasoursurprise，on，ourreturn，tofindnotraceofitsexistence！，Initsplacewasa，handsomeshop，fastapproachingtoastateofcompletion，andon，theshutterswerelargebills，informingthepublicthatitwould，shortlybeopenedwith’anextensivestockoflinen-draperyand，haberdashery。’，Itopenedinduecourse;therewasthenameofthe，proprietor’andCo。’ingiltletters，almosttoodazzlingtolook，at。Suchribbonsandshawls！andtwosuchelegantyoungmenbehind，thecounter，eachinacleancollarandwhiteneckcloth，likethe，loverinafarce。Astotheproprietor，hedidnothingbutwalkup，anddowntheshop，andhandseatstotheladies，andholdimportant，conversationswiththehandsomestoftheyoungmen，whowas，shrewdlysuspectedbytheneighbourstobethe’Co。’，Wesawall，thiswithsorrow;wefeltafatalpresentimentthattheshopwas，doomed-andsoitwas。Itsdecaywasslow，butsure。Tickets，graduallyappearedinthewindows;thenrollsofflannel，with，labelsonthem，werestuckoutsidethedoor;thenabillwaspasted，onthestreet-door，intimatingthatthefirstfloorwastolet，unfurnished;thenoneoftheyoungmendisappearedaltogether，and，theothertooktoablackneckerchief，andtheproprietortookto，drinking。Theshopbecamedirty，brokenpanesofglassremained，unmended，andthestockdisappearedpiecemeal。Atlastthe，company’smancametocutoffthewater，andthenthelinen-draper，cutoffhimself，leavingthelandlordhiscomplimentsandthekey。

Thenextoccupantwasafancystationer。Theshopwasmore，modestlypaintedthanbefore，stillitwasneat;butsomehowwe，alwaysthought，aswepassed，thatitlookedlikeapoorand，strugglingconcern。Wewishedthemanwell，butwetrembledfor，hissuccess。Hewasawidowerevidently，andhademployment，elsewhere，forhepasseduseverymorningonhisroadtothecity。

Thebusinesswascarriedonbyhiseldestdaughter。Poorgirl！she，needednoassistance。Weoccasionallycaughtaglimpseoftwoor，threechildren，inmourninglikeherself，astheysatinthelittle，parlourbehindtheshop;andweneverpassedatnightwithout，seeingtheeldestgirlatwork，eitherforthem，orinmakingsome，elegantlittletrifleforsale。Weoftenthought，asherpaleface，lookedmoresadandpensiveinthedimcandle-light，thatifthose，thoughtlessfemaleswhointerferewiththemiserablemarketofpoor，creaturessuchasthese，knewbutone-halfofthemiserythey，suffer，andthebitterprivationstheyendure，intheirhonourable，attemptstoearnascantysubsistence，theywould，perhaps，resign，evenopportunitiesforthegratificationofvanity，andanimmodest，loveofself-display，ratherthandrivethemtoalastdreadful，resource，whichitwouldshockthedelicatefeelingsofthese，CHARITABLEladiestohearnamed。

Butweareforgettingtheshop。Well，wecontinuedtowatchit，andeverydayshowedtooclearlytheincreasingpovertyofits，inmates。Thechildrenwereclean，itistrue，buttheirclothes，werethreadbareandshabby;notenanthadbeenprocuredforthe，upperpartofthehouse，fromthelettingofwhich，aportionof，themeansofpayingtherentwastohavebeenderived，andaslow，wastingconsumptionpreventedtheeldestgirlfromcontinuingher，exertions。Quarter-dayarrived。Thelandlordhadsufferedfrom，theextravaganceofhislasttenant，andhehadnocompassionfor，thestrugglesofhissuccessor;heputinanexecution。Aswe，passedonemorning，thebroker’smenwereremovingthelittle，furnituretherewasinthehouse，andanewly-postedbillinformed，usitwasagain’ToLet。’，Whatbecameofthelasttenantwenever，couldlearn;webelievethegirlispastallsuffering，andbeyond，allsorrow。Godhelpher！，Wehopesheis。

Weweresomewhatcurioustoascertainwhatwouldbethenextstage，-forthattheplacehadnochanceofsucceedingnow，wasperfectly，clear。Thebillwassoontakendown，andsomealterationswere，beingmadeintheinterioroftheshop。Wewereinafeverof，expectation;weexhaustedconjecture-weimaginedallpossible，trades，noneofwhichwereperfectlyreconcilablewithourideaof，thegradualdecayofthetenement。Itopened，andwewonderedwhy，wehadnotguessedattherealstateofthecasebefore。Theshop，-notalargeoneatthebestoftimes-hadbeenconvertedinto，two：，onewasabonnet-shapemaker’s，theotherwasopenedbya，tobacconist，whoalsodealtinwalking-sticksandSunday，newspapers;thetwowereseparatedbyathinpartition，covered，withtawdrystripedpaper。

Thetobacconistremainedinpossessionlongerthananytenant，withinourrecollection。Hewasared-faced，impudent，good-for-

nothingdog，evidentlyaccustomedtotakethingsastheycame，and，tomakethebestofabadjob。Hesoldasmanycigarsashecould，andsmokedtherest。Heoccupiedtheshopaslongashecouldmake，peacewiththelandlord，andwhenhecouldnolongerliveinquiet，heverycoollylockedthedoor，andboltedhimself。Fromthis，period，thetwolittledenshaveundergoneinnumerablechanges。

Thetobacconistwassucceededbyatheatricalhair-dresser，who，ornamentedthewindowwithagreatvarietyof’characters，’and，terrificcombats。Thebonnet-shapemakergaveplacetoa，greengrocer，andthehistrionicbarberwassucceeded，inhisturn，byatailor。Sonumeroushavebeenthechanges，thatwehaveof，latedonelittlemorethanmarkthepeculiarbutcertain，indicationsofahousebeingpoorlyinhabited。Ithasbeen，progressingbyalmostimperceptibledegrees。Theoccupiersofthe，shopshavegraduallygivenuproomafterroom，untiltheyhaveonly，reservedthelittleparlourforthemselves。Firstthereappeareda，brassplateontheprivatedoor，with’Ladies’School’legibly，engravedthereon;shortlyafterwardsweobservedasecondbrass，plate，thenabell，andthenanotherbell。

Whenwepausedinfrontofouroldfriend，andobservedthesesigns，ofpoverty，whicharenottobemistaken，wethoughtasweturned，away，thatthehousehadattaineditslowestpitchofdegradation。

Wewerewrong。Whenwelastpassedit，a’dairy’wasestablished，inthearea，andapartyofmelancholy-lookingfowlswereamusing，themselvesbyrunninginatthefrontdoor，andoutattheback，one。

CHAPTERIV-SCOTLAND-YARD

Scotland-yardisasmall-averysmall-tractofland，boundedon，onesidebytheriverThames，ontheotherbythegardensof，NorthumberlandHouse：，abuttingatoneendonthebottomof，Northumberland-street，attheotheronthebackofWhitehall-place。

Whenthisterritorywasfirstaccidentallydiscoveredbyacountry，gentlemanwholosthiswayintheStrand，someyearsago，the，originalsettlerswerefoundtobeatailor，apublican，two，eating-housekeepers，andafruit-piemaker;anditwasalsofound，tocontainaraceofstrongandbulkymen，whorepairedtothe，wharfsinScotland-yardregularlyeverymorning，aboutfiveorsix，o’clock，tofillheavywaggonswithcoal，withwhichtheyproceeded，todistantplacesupthecountry，andsuppliedtheinhabitantswith，fuel。Whentheyhademptiedtheirwaggons，theyagainreturnedfor，afreshsupply;andthistradewascontinuedthroughouttheyear。

Asthesettlersderivedtheirsubsistencefromministeringtothe，wantsoftheseprimitivetraders，thearticlesexposedforsale，andtheplaceswheretheyweresold，borestrongoutwardmarksof，beingexpresslyadaptedtotheirtastesandwishes。Thetailor，displayedinhiswindowaLilliputianpairofleathergaiters，and，adiminutiveroundfrock，whileeachdoorpostwasappropriately，garnishedwithamodelofacoal-sack。Thetwoeating-house，keepersexhibitedjointsofamagnitude，andpuddingsofa，solidity，whichcoalheaversalonecouldappreciate;andthefruit-

piemakerdisplayedonhiswell-scrubbedwindow-boardlargewhite，compositionsofflouranddripping，ornamentedwithpinkstains，givingrichpromiseofthefruitwithin，whichmadetheirhuge，mouthswater，astheylingeredpast。

ButthechoicestspotinallScotland-yardwastheoldpublic-house，inthecorner。Here，inadarkwainscoted-roomofancient，appearance，cheeredbytheglowofamightyfire，anddecorated，withanenormousclock，whereofthefacewaswhite，andthefigures，black，satthelustycoalheavers，quaffinglargedraughtsof，Barclay’sbest，andpuffingforthvolumesofsmoke，whichwreathed，heavilyabovetheirheads，andinvolvedtheroominathickdark，cloud。Fromthisapartmentmighttheirvoicesbeheardona，winter’snight，penetratingtotheverybankoftheriver，asthey，shoutedoutsomesturdychorus，orroaredforththeburdenofa，popularsong;dwellinguponthelastfewwordswithastrengthand，lengthofemphasiswhichmadetheveryrooftrembleabovethem。

Here，too，wouldtheytelloldlegendsofwhattheThameswasin，ancienttimes，whenthePatentShotManufactorywasn’tbuilt，and，Waterloo-bridgehadneverbeenthoughtof;andthentheywould，shaketheirheadswithportentouslooks，tothedeepedificationof，therisinggenerationofheavers，whocrowdedroundthem，and，wonderedwhereallthiswouldend;whereatthetailorwouldtake，hispipesolemnlyfromhismouth，andsay，howthathehopedit，mightendwell，butheverymuchdoubtedwhetheritwouldornot，andcouldn’trightlytellwhattomakeofit-amysterious，expressionofopinion，deliveredwithasemi-propheticair，which，neverfailedtoelicitthefullestconcurrenceoftheassembled，company;andsotheywouldgoondrinkingandwonderingtillten，o’clockcame，andwithitthetailor’swifetofetchhimhome，when，thelittlepartybrokeup，tomeetagaininthesameroom，andsay，anddopreciselythesamethings，onthefollowingeveningatthe，samehour。

Aboutthistimethebargesthatcameuptheriverbegantobring，vaguerumourstoScotland-yardofsomebodyinthecityhavingbeen，heardtosay，thattheLordMayorhadthreatenedinsomanywords，topulldowntheoldLondon-bridge，andbuildupanewone。At，firsttheserumoursweredisregardedasidletales，wholly，destituteoffoundation，fornobodyinScotland-yarddoubtedthat，iftheLordMayorcontemplatedanysuchdarkdesign，hewouldjust，beclappedupintheTowerforaweekortwo，andthenkilledoff，forhightreason。

Bydegrees，however，thereportsgrewstronger，andmorefrequent，andatlastabarge，ladenwithnumerouschaldronsofthebest，Wallsend，broughtupthepositiveintelligencethatseveralofthe，archesoftheoldbridgewerestopped，andthatpreparationswere，actuallyinprogressforconstructingthenewone。Whatan，excitementwasvisibleintheoldtap-roomonthatmemorablenight！

Eachmanlookedintohisneighbour’sface，palewithalarmand，astonishment，andreadthereinanechoofthesentimentswhich，filledhisownbreast。Theoldestheaverpresentprovedto，demonstration，thatthemomentthepierswereremoved，allthe，waterintheThameswouldruncleanoff，andleaveadrygullyin，itsplace。Whatwastobecomeofthecoal-barges-ofthetradeof，Scotland-yard-oftheveryexistenceofitspopulation？，The，tailorshookhisheadmoresagelythanusual，andgrimlypointing，toaknifeonthetable，bidthemwaitandseewhathappened。He，saidnothing-nothe;butiftheLordMayordidn’tfallavictim，topopularindignation，whyhewouldberatherastonished;thatwas，all。

Theydidwait;bargeafterbargearrived，andstillnotidingsof，theassassinationoftheLordMayor。Thefirststonewaslaid：，it，wasdonebyaDuke-theKing’sbrother。Yearspassedaway，and，thebridgewasopenedbytheKinghimself。Incourseoftime，the，pierswereremoved;andwhenthepeopleinScotland-yardgotup，nextmorningintheconfidentexpectationofbeingabletostep，overtoPedlar’sAcrewithoutwettingthesolesoftheirshoes，theyfoundtotheirunspeakableastonishmentthatthewaterwas，justwhereitusedtobe。

Aresultsodifferentfromthatwhichtheyhadanticipatedfrom，thisfirstimprovement，produceditsfulleffectuponthe，inhabitantsofScotland-yard。Oneoftheeating-housekeepers，begantocourtpublicopinion，andtolookforcustomersamonga，newclassofpeople。Hecoveredhislittledining-tableswith，whitecloths，andgotapainter’sapprenticetoinscribesomething，abouthotjointsfromtwelvetotwo，inoneofthelittlepanesof，hisshop-window。Improvementbegantomarchwithrapidstridesto，theverythresholdofScotland-yard。Anewmarketsprungupat，Hungerford，andthePoliceCommissionersestablishedtheiroffice，inWhitehall-place。ThetrafficinScotland-yardincreased;fresh，MemberswereaddedtotheHouseofCommons，theMetropolitan，Representativesfounditanearcut，andmanyotherfootpassengers，followedtheirexample。

Wemarkedtheadvanceofcivilisation，andbehelditwithasigh。

Theeating-housekeeperwhomanfullyresistedtheinnovationof，table-cloths，waslosinggroundeveryday，ashisopponentgained，it，andadeadlyfeudsprungupbetweenthem。Thegenteeloneno，longertookhisevening’spintinScotland-yard，butdrankginand，waterata’parlour’inParliament-street。Thefruit-piemaker，stillcontinuedtovisittheoldroom，buthetooktosmoking，cigars，andbegantocallhimselfapastrycook，andtoreadthe，papers。Theoldheaversstillassembledroundtheancient，fireplace，buttheirtalkwasmournful：，andtheloudsongandthe，joyousshoutwereheardnomore。

AndwhatisScotland-yardnow？，Howhaveitsoldcustomschanged;

andhowhastheancientsimplicityofitsinhabitantsfadedaway！

Theoldtotteringpublic-houseisconvertedintoaspaciousand，lofty’wine-vaults;’goldleafhasbeenusedintheconstructionof，theletterswhichemblazonitsexterior，andthepoet’sarthas，beencalledintorequisition，tointimatethatifyoudrinka，certaindescriptionofale，youmustholdfastbytherail。The，tailorexhibitsinhiswindowthepatternofaforeign-looking，brownsurtout，withsilkbuttons，afurcollar，andfurcuffs。He，wearsastripedowntheoutsideofeachlegofhistrousers：，and，wehavedetectedhisassistants(forhehasassistantsnow)inthe，actofsittingontheshop-boardinthesameuniform。

Attheotherendofthelittlerowofhousesaboot-makerhas，establishedhimselfinabrickbox，withtheadditionalinnovation，ofafirstfloor;andhereheexposesforsale，boots-real，Wellingtonboots-anarticlewhichafewyearsago，noneofthe，originalinhabitantshadeverseenorheardof。Itwasbutthe，otherday，thatadress-makeropenedanotherlittleboxinthe，middleoftherow;and，whenwethoughtthatthespiritofchange，couldproducenoalterationbeyondthat，ajewellerappeared，and，notcontentwithexposinggiltringsandcopperbraceletsoutof，number，putupanannouncement，whichstillsticksinhiswindow，that’ladies’earsmaybepiercedwithin。’，Thedress-makeremploys，ayoungladywhowearspocketsinherapron;andthetailorinforms，thepublicthatgentlemenmayhavetheirownmaterialsmadeup。

Amidstallthischange，andrestlessness，andinnovation，there，remainsbutoneoldman，whoseemstomournthedownfallofthis，ancientplace。Heholdsnoconversewithhumankind，but，seated，onawoodenbenchattheangleofthewallwhichfrontsthe，crossingfromWhitehall-place，watchesinsilencethegambolsof，hissleekandwell-feddogs。Heisthepresidinggeniusof，Scotland-yard。Yearsandyearshaverolledoverhishead;but，in，fineweatherorinfoul，hotorcold，wetordry，hail，rain，or，snow，heisstillinhisaccustomedspot。Miseryandwantare，depictedinhiscountenance;hisformisbentbyage，hisheadis，greywithlengthoftrial，buttherehesitsfromdaytoday，broodingoverthepast;andthitherhewillcontinuetodraghis，feeblelimbs，untilhiseyeshavecloseduponScotland-yard，and，upontheworldtogether。

Afewyearshence，andtheantiquaryofanothergenerationlooking，intosomemouldyrecordofthestrifeandpassionsthatagitated，theworldinthesetimes，mayglancehiseyeoverthepageswehave，justfilled：，andnotallhisknowledgeofthehistoryofthepast，notallhisblack-letterlore，orhisskillinbook-collecting，not，allthedrystudiesofalonglife，orthedustyvolumesthathave，costhimafortune，mayhelphimtothewhereabouts，eitherof，Scotland-yard，orofanyoneofthelandmarkswehavementionedin，describingit。

CHAPTERV-SEVENDIALS

WehavealwaysbeenofopinionthatifTomKingandtheFrenchman，hadnotimmortalisedSevenDials，SevenDialswouldhave，immortaliseditself。SevenDials！theregionofsongandpoetry-

firsteffusions，andlastdyingspeeches：，hallowedbythenamesof，CatnachandofPitts-namesthatwillentwinethemselveswith，costermongers，andbarrel-organs，whenpennymagazinesshallhave，supersededpennyyardsofsong，andcapitalpunishmentbeunknown！

Lookattheconstructionoftheplace。TheGordianknotwasall，verywellinitsway：，sowasthemazeofHamptonCourt：，soisthe，mazeattheBeulahSpa：，sowerethetiesofstiffwhite，neckcloths，whenthedifficultyofgettingoneon，wasonlytobe，equalledbytheapparentimpossibilityofevergettingitoff，again。ButwhatinvolutionscancomparewiththoseofSevenDials？

Whereistheresuchanothermazeofstreets，courts，lanes，and，alleys？，WheresuchapuremixtureofEnglishmenandIrishmen，as，inthiscomplicatedpartofLondon？，Weboldlyaverthatwedoubt，theveracityofthelegendtowhichwehaveadverted。WeCAN

supposeamanrashenoughtoinquireatrandom-atahousewith，lodgerstoo-foraMr。Thompson，withallbutthecertaintybefore，hiseyes，offindingatleasttwoorthreeThompsonsinanyhouse，ofmoderatedimensions;butaFrenchman-aFrenchmaninSeven，Dials！，Pooh！，HewasanIrishman。TomKing’seducationhadbeen，neglectedinhisinfancy，andashecouldn’tunderstandhalfthe，mansaid，hetookitforgrantedhewastalkingFrench。

Thestrangerwhofindshimselfin’TheDials’forthefirsttime，andstandsBelzoni-like，attheentranceofsevenobscurepassages，uncertainwhichtotake，willseeenougharoundhimtokeephis，curiosityandattentionawakefornoinconsiderabletime。Fromthe，irregularsquareintowhichhehasplunged，thestreetsandcourts，dartinalldirections，untiltheyarelostintheunwholesome，vapourwhichhangsoverthehouse-tops，andrendersthedirty，perspectiveuncertainandconfined;andloungingateverycorner，asiftheycametheretotakeafewgaspsofsuchfreshairashas，founditswaysofar，butistoomuchexhaustedalready，tobe，enabledtoforceitselfintothenarrowalleysaround，aregroups，ofpeople，whoseappearanceanddwellingswouldfillanymindbuta，regularLondoner’swithastonishment。

Ononeside，alittlecrowdhascollectedroundacoupleofladies，whohavingimbibedthecontentsofvarious’three-outs’ofginand，bittersinthecourseofthemorning，haveatlengthdifferedon，somepointofdomesticarrangement，andareontheeveofsettling，thequarrelsatisfactorily，byanappealtoblows，greatlytothe，interestofotherladieswholiveinthesamehouse，andtenements，adjoining，andwhoareallpartisansononesideorother。

’Vydon’tyoupitchintoher，Sarah？’exclaimsonehalf-dressed，matron，bywayofencouragement。’Vydon’tyou？ifMY’usbandhad，treatedherwithadrainlastnight，unbeknowntome，I’dtearher，preciouseyesout-awixen！’

’What’sthematter，ma’am？’inquiresanotheroldwoman，whohas，justbustleduptothespot。