Wehadoursigns，too，andtheywashundredsinnumber。Sometimesshewouldsitlookingatmeandconsideringhardhowtocommunicatewithmeaboutsomethingfresh，——howtoaskmewhatshewantedexplained，——andthenshewas（orIthoughtshewas；whatdoesitsignify？）solikemychildwiththoseyearsaddedtoher，thatI
　　half—believeditwasherself，tryingtotellmewhereshehadbeentoupintheskies，andwhatshehadseensincethatunhappynightwhenshefliedaway。Shehadaprettyface，andnowthattherewasnoonetodragatherbrightdarkhair，anditwasallinorder，therewasasomethingtouchinginherlooksthatmadethecartmostpeacefulandmostquiet，thoughnotatallmelancholy。[N。B。IntheCheapJackpatter，wegenerallysounditlemonjolly，anditgetsalaugh。]
　　Thewayshelearnttounderstandanylookofminewastrulysurprising。WhenIsoldofanight，shewouldsitinthecartunseenbythemoutside，andwouldgiveaeagerlookintomyeyeswhenIlookedin，andwouldhandmestraighttheprecisearticleorarticlesIwanted。Andthenshewouldclapherhands，andlaughforjoy。Andasforme，seeinghersobright，andrememberingwhatshewaswhenIfirstlightedonher，starvedandbeatenandragged，leaningasleepagainstthemuddycart—wheel，itgivemesuchheartthatIgainedagreaterheighthofreputationthanever，andIputPicklesondown（bythenameofMim’sTravellingGiantotherwisePickleson）forafypunnoteinmywill。
　　Thishappinesswentoninthecarttillshewassixteenyearold。
　　BywhichtimeIbegantofeelnotsatisfiedthatIhaddonemywholedutybyher，andtoconsiderthatsheoughttohavebetterteachingthanIcouldgiveher。ItdrewamanytearsonbothsideswhenI
　　commencedexplainingmyviewstoher；butwhat’srightisright，andyoucan’tneitherbytearsnorlaughterdoawaywithitscharacter。
　　SoItookherhandinmine，andIwentwithheronedaytotheDeafandDumbEstablishmentinLondon，andwhenthegentlemancometospeaktous，Isaystohim："NowI’lltellyouwhatI’lldowithyou，sir。IamnothingbutaCheapJack，butoflateyearsIhavelaidbyforarainydaynotwithstanding。Thisismyonlydaughter（adopted），andyoucan’tproduceadeafernoradumber。Teachherthemostthatcanbetaughtherintheshortestseparationthatcanbenamed，——statethefigureforit，——andIamgametoputthemoneydown。Iwon’tbateyouasinglefarthing，sir，butI’llputdownthemoneyhereandnow，andI’llthankfullythrowyouinapoundtotakeit。There！"Thegentlemansmiled，andthen，"Well，well，"
　　sayshe，"Imustfirstknowwhatshehaslearnedalready。Howdoyoucommunicatewithher？"ThenIshowedhim，andshewroteinprintedwritingmanynamesofthingsandsoforth；andweheldsomesprightlyconversation，Sophyandme，aboutalittlestoryinabookwhichthegentlemanshowedher，andwhichshewasabletoread。
　　"Thisismostextraordinary，"saysthegentleman；"isitpossiblethatyouhavebeenheronlyteacher？""Ihavebeenheronlyteacher，sir，"Isays，"besidesherself。""Then，"saysthegentleman，andmoreacceptablewordswasneverspoketome，"you’reacleverfellow，andagoodfellow。"ThishemakesknowntoSophy，whokisseshishands，clapsherown，andlaughsandcriesuponit。
　　Wesawthegentlemanfourtimesinall，andwhenhetookdownmynameandaskedhowintheworlditeverchancedtobeDoctor，itcomeoutthathewasownnephewbythesister’sside，ifyou’llbelieveme，totheveryDoctorthatIwascalledafter。Thismadeourfootingstilleasier，andhesaystome：
　　"Now，Marigold，tellmewhatmoredoyouwantyouradopteddaughtertoknow？"
　　"Iwanther，sir，tobecutofffromtheworldaslittleascanbe，consideringherdeprivations，andthereforetobeabletoreadwhateveriswrotewithperfecteaseandpleasure。"
　　"Mygoodfellow，"urgesthegentleman，openinghiseyeswide，"whyI
　　can’tdothatmyself！"
　　Itookhisjoke，andgavehimalaugh（knowingbyexperiencehowflatyoufallwithoutit），andImendedmywordsaccordingly。
　　"Whatdoyoumeantodowithherafterwards？"asksthegentleman，withasortofadoubtfuleye。"Totakeheraboutthecountry？"
　　"Inthecart，sir，butonlyinthecart。Shewillliveaprivatelife，youunderstand，inthecart。Ishouldneverthinkofbringingherinfirmitiesbeforethepublic。Iwouldn’tmakeashowofherforanymoney。"
　　Thegentlemannodded，andseemedtoapprove。
　　"Well，"sayshe，"canyoupartwithherfortwoyears？"
　　"Todoherthatgood，——yes，sir。"
　　"There’sanotherquestion，"saysthegentleman，lookingtowardsher，——"canshepartwithyoufortwoyears？"
　　Idon’tknowthatitwasahardermatterofitself（fortheotherwashardenoughtome），butitwashardertogetover。However，shewaspacifiedtoitatlast，andtheseparationbetwixtuswassettled。Howitcutupbothofuswhenittookplace，andwhenI
　　leftheratthedoorinthedarkofanevening，Idon’ttell。ButI
　　knowthis；rememberingthatnight，Ishallneverpassthatsameestablishmentwithoutaheartacheandaswellinginthethroat；andIcouldn’tputyouupthebestoflotsinsightofitwithmyusualspirit，——no，noteventhegun，northepairofspectacles，——forfivehundredpoundrewardfromtheSecretaryofStatefortheHomeDepartment，andthrowinthehonourofputtingmylegsunderhismahoganyarterwards。
　　Still，thelonelinessthatfollowedinthecartwasnottheoldloneliness，becausetherewasatermputtoit，howeverlongtolookforwardto；andbecauseIcouldthink，whenIwasanywaysdown，thatshebelongedtomeandIbelongedtoher。Alwaysplanningforhercomingback，Iboughtinafewmonths’timeanothercart，andwhatdoyouthinkIplannedtodowithit？I’lltellyou。Iplannedtofititupwithshelvesandbooksforherreading，andtohaveaseatinitwhereIcouldsitandseeherread，andthinkthatIhadbeenherfirstteacher。Nothurryingoverthejob，Ihadthefittingsknockedtogetherincontrivingwaysundermyowninspection，andherewasherbedinaberthwithcurtains，andtherewasherreading—table，andherewasherwriting—desk，andelsewherewasherbooksinrowsuponrows，pictersandnopicters，bindingsandnobindings，gilt—edgedandplain，justasIcouldpick’emupforherinlotsupanddownthecountry，NorthandSouthandWestandEast，Windslikedbestandwindslikedleast，Hereandthereandgoneastray，Overthehillsandfaraway。AndwhenIhadgottogetherprettywellasmanybooksasthecartwouldneatlyhold，anewschemecomeintomyhead，which，asitturnedout，keptmytimeandattentionagooddealemployed，andhelpedmeoverthetwoyears’
　　stile。
　　Withoutbeingofanawaricioustemper，Iliketobetheownerofthings。Ishouldn’twish，forinstance，togopartnerswithyourselfintheCheapJackcart。It’snotthatImistrustyou，butthatI’dratherknowitwasmine。Similarly，verylikelyyou’dratherknowitwasyours。Well！AkindofajealousybegantocreepintomymindwhenIreflectedthatallthosebookswouldhavebeenreadbyotherpeoplelongbeforetheywasreadbyher。Itseemedtotakeawayfromherbeingtheownerof’emlike。Inthisway，thequestiongotintomyhead：Couldn’tIhaveabooknew—madeexpressforher，whichsheshouldbethefirsttoread？
　　Itpleasedme，thatthoughtdid；andasIneverwasamantoletathoughtsleep（youmustwakeupallthewholefamilyofthoughtsyou’vegotandburntheirnightcaps，oryouwon’tdointheCheapJackline），Isettoworkatit。ConsideringthatIwasinthehabitofchangingsomuchaboutthecountry，andthatIshouldhavetofindoutaliterarycharacterheretomakeadealwith，andanotherliterarycharactertheretomakeadealwith，asopportunitiespresented，Ihitontheplanthatthissamebookshouldbeageneralmiscellaneouslot，——liketherazors，flat—iron，chronometerwatch，dinnerplates，rolling—pin，andlooking—glass，——
　　andshouldn’tbeofferedasasingleindiwidualarticle，likethespectaclesorthegun。WhenIhadcometothatconclusion，Icometoanother，whichshalllikewisebeyours。
　　OftenhadIregrettedthatsheneverhadheardmeonthefootboard，andthatshenevercouldhearme。Itain’tthatIamvain，butthatYOUdon’tliketoputyourownlightunderabushel。What’stheworthofyourreputation，ifyoucan’tconveythereasonforittothepersonyoumostwishtovalueit？NowI’llputittoyou。Isitworthsixpence，fippence，fourpence，threepence，twopence，apenny，ahalfpenny，afarthing？No，itain’t。Notworthafarthing。Verywell，then。MyconclusionwasthatIwouldbeginherbookwithsomeaccountofmyself。Sothat，throughreadingaspecimenortwoofmeonthefootboard，shemightformanideaofmymeritsthere。IwasawarethatIcouldn’tdomyselfjustice。Amancan’twritehiseye（atleastIdon’tknowhowto），noryetcanamanwritehisvoice，northerateofhistalk，northequicknessofhisaction，norhisgeneralspicyway。Buthecanwritehisturnsofspeech，whenheisapublicspeaker，——andindeedIhaveheardthatheveryoftendoes，beforehespeaks’em。
　　Well！Havingformedthatresolution，thencomethequestionofaname。HowdidIhammerthathotironintoshape？Thisway。ThemostdifficultexplanationIhadeverhadwithherwas，howIcometobecalledDoctor，andyetwasnoDoctor。Afterall，IfeltthatIhadfailedofgettingitcorrectlyintohermind，withmyutmostpains。Buttrustingtoherimprovementinthetwoyears，IthoughtthatImighttrusttoherunderstandingitwhensheshouldcometoreaditasputdownbymyownhand。ThenIthoughtIwouldtryajokewithherandwatchhowittook，bywhichofitselfImightfullyjudgeofherunderstandingit。Wehadfirstdiscoveredthemistakewehaddroppedinto，throughherhavingaskedmetoprescribeforherwhenshehadsupposedmetobeaDoctorinamedicalpointofview；sothinksI，"Now，ifIgivethisbookthenameofmyPrescriptions，andifshecatchestheideathatmyonlyPrescriptionsareforheramusementandinterest，——tomakeherlaughinapleasantway，ortomakehercryinapleasantway，——itwillbeadelightfulprooftobothofusthatwehavegotoverourdifficulty。"Itfellouttoabsoluteperfection。Forwhenshesawthebook，asIhaditgotup，——theprintedandpressedbook，——lyingonherdeskinhercart，andsawthetitle，DOCTORMARIGOLD’S
　　PRESCRIPTIONS，shelookedatmeforamomentwithastonishment，thenflutteredtheleaves，thenbrokeoutalaughinginthecharmingestway，thenfeltherpulseandshookherhead，thenturnedthepagespretendingtoreadthemmostattentive，thenkissedthebooktome，andputittoherbosomwithbothherhands。Ineverwasbetterpleasedinallmylife！
　　Butletmenotanticipate。（ItakethatexpressionoutofalotofromancesIboughtforher。Ineveropenedasingleoneof’em——andIhaveopenedmany——butIfoundtheromancersaying"letmenotanticipate。"Whichbeingso，Iwonderwhyhedidanticipate，orwhoaskedhimtoit。）Letmenot，Isay，anticipate。Thissamebooktookupallmysparetime。Itwasnoplaytogettheotherarticlestogetherinthegeneralmiscellaneouslot，butwhenitcometomyownarticle！There！Icouldn’thavebelievedtheblotting，noryetthebucklingtoatit，northepatienceoverit。Whichagainislikethefootboard。Thepublichavenoidea。
　　Atlastitwasdone，andthetwoyears’timewasgoneafteralltheothertimebeforeit，andwhereit’sallgoneto，whoknows？Thenewcartwasfinished，——yellowoutside，relievedwithwermilionandbrassfittings，——theoldhorsewasputinit，anew’unandaboybeinglaidonfortheCheapJackcart，——andIcleanedmyselfuptogoandfetchher。Brightcoldweatheritwas，cart—chimneyssmoking，cartspitchedprivateonapieceofwastegroundoveratWandsworth，whereyoumaysee’emfromtheSou’westernRailwaywhennotupontheroad。（Lookoutoftheright—handwindowgoingdown。）
　　"Marigold，"saysthegentleman，givinghishandhearty，"Iamverygladtoseeyou。"
　　"YetIhavemydoubts，sir，"saysI，"ifyoucanbehalfasgladtoseemeasIamtoseeyou。"
　　"Thetimehasappearedsolong，——hasit，Marigold？"
　　"Iwon’tsaythat，sir，consideringitsreallength；but——"
　　"Whatastart，mygoodfellow！"
　　Ah！Ishouldthinkitwas！Grownsuchawoman，sopretty，sointelligent，soexpressive！Iknewthenthatshemustbereallylikemychild，orIcouldneverhaveknownher，standingquietbythedoor。
　　"Youareaffected，"saysthegentlemaninakindlymanner。
　　"Ifeel，sir，"saysI，"thatIambutaroughchapinasleevedwaistcoat。"
　　"Ifeel，"saysthegentleman，"thatitwasyouwhoraisedherfrommiseryanddegradation，andbroughtherintocommunicationwithherkind。Butwhydoweconversealonetogether，whenwecanconversesowellwithher？Addressherinyourownway。"
　　"Iamsucharoughchapinasleevedwaistcoat，sir，"saysI，"andsheissuchagracefulwoman，andshestandssoquietatthedoor！"
　　"TRYifshemovesattheoldsign，"saysthegentleman。
　　Theyhadgotituptogethero’purposetopleaseme！ForwhenI
　　givehertheoldsign，sherushedtomyfeet，anddroppeduponherknees，holdingupherhandstomewithpouringtearsofloveandjoy；andwhenItookherhandsandliftedher，sheclaspedmeroundtheneck，andlaythere；andIdon’tknowwhatafoolIdidn’tmakeofmyself，untilweallthreesettleddownintotalkingwithoutsound，asiftherewasasomethingsoftandpleasantspreadoverthewholeworldforus。
　　[Aportionishereomittedfromthetext，havingreferencetothesketchescontributedbyotherwriters；butthereaderwillbepleasedtohavewhatfollowsretainedinanote：
　　"NowI’lltellyouwhatIama—goingtodowithyou。Iama—goingtoofferyouthegeneralmiscellaneouslot，herownbook，neverreadbyanybodyelsebutme，addedtoandcompletedbymeafterherfirstreadingofit，eight—and—fortyprintedpages，six—and—ninetycolumns，Whiting’sownwork，BeaufortHousetowit，thrownoffbythesteam—ingine，bestofpaper，beautifulgreenwrapper，foldedlikecleanlinencomehomefromtheclear—starcher’s，andsoexquisitelystitchedthat，regardedasapieceofneedleworkalone，it’sbetterthanthesamplerofaseamstressundergoingaCompetitiveexaminationforStarvationbeforetheCivilServiceCommissioners——andIofferthelotforwhat？Foreightpound？Notsomuch。Forsixpound？Less。Forfourpound。Why，Ihardlyexpectyoutobelieveme，butthat’sthesum。Fourpound！Thestitchingalonecosthalfasmuchagain。Here’sforty—eightoriginalpages，ninety—sixoriginalcolumns，forfourpound。Youwantmoreforthemoney？Takeit。Threewholepagesofadvertisementsofthrillinginterestthrowninfornothing。Read’emandbelieve’em。More？MybestofwishesforyourmerryChristmasesandyourhappyNewYears，yourlonglivesandyourtrueprosperities。WorthtwentypoundgoodiftheyaredeliveredasI
　　sendthem。Remember！Here’safinalprescriptionadded，"Tobetakenforlife，"whichwilltellyouhowthecartbrokedown，andwherethejourneyended。YouthinkFourPoundtoomuch？Andstillyouthinkso？Come！I’lltellyouwhatthen。SayFourPence，andkeepthesecret。"]
　　Soeveryitemofmyplanwascrownedwithsuccess。Ourreunitedlifewasmorethanallthatwehadlookedforwardto。Contentandjoywentwithusasthewheelsofthetwocartswentround，andthesamestoppedwithuswhenthetwocartsstopped。IwasaspleasedandasproudasaPug—Dogwithhismuzzleblack—leadedforaeveningparty，andhistailextracurledbymachinery。
　　ButIhadleftsomethingoutofmycalculations。Now，whathadI
　　leftout？TohelpyoutoguessI’llsay，afigure。Come。Makeaguessandguessright。Nought？No。Nine？No。Eight？No。
　　Seven？No。Six？No。Five？No。Four？No。Three？No。Two？
　　No。One？No。NowI’lltellyouwhatI’lldowithyou。I’llsayit’sanothersortoffigurealtogether。There。Whythen，saysyou，it’samortalfigure。No，noryetamortalfigure。Bysuchmeansyougotyourselfpennedintoacorner，andyoucan’thelpguessingaIMmortalfigure。That’saboutit。Whydidn’tyousaysosooner？
　　Yes。ItwasaimmortalfigurethatIhadaltogetherleftoutofmyCalculations。Neitherman’s，norwoman’s，butachild’s。Girl’sorboy’s？Boy’s。"I，saysthesparrowwithmybowandarrow。"Nowyouhavegotit。
　　WeweredownatLancaster，andIhaddonetwonightsmorethanfairaveragebusiness（thoughIcannotinhonourrecommendthemasaquickaudience）intheopensquarethere，neartheendofthestreetwhereMr。Sly’sKing’sArmsandRoyalHotelstands。Mim’stravellinggiant，otherwisePickleson，happenedattheself—sametimetobetryingitoninthetown。Thegenteellaywasadoptedwithhim。Nohintofavan。GreenbaizealcoveleadinguptoPicklesoninaAuctionRoom。Printedposter，"Freelistsuspended，withtheexceptionofthatproudboastofanenlightenedcountry，afreepress。Schoolsadmittedbyprivatearrangement。Nothingtoraiseablushinthecheekofyouthorshockthemostfastidious。"
　　Mimswearingmosthorribleandterrific，inapinkcalicopay—place，attheslacknessofthepublic。Serioushandbillintheshops，importingthatitwasallbutimpossibletocometoarightunderstandingofthehistoryofDavidwithoutseeingPickleson。
　　IwenttotheAuctionRoominquestion，andIfounditentirelyemptyofeverythingbutechoesandmouldiness，withthesingleexceptionofPicklesononapieceofreddrugget。Thissuitedmypurpose，asIwantedaprivateandconfidentialwordwithhim，whichwas："Pickleson。Owingmuchhappinesstoyou，Iputyouinmywillforafypunnote；but，tosavetrouble，here’sfourpuntendown，whichmayequallysuityourviews，andletussoconcludethetransaction。"Pickleson，whouptothatremarkhadhadthedejectedappearanceofalongRomanrushlightthatcouldn’tanyhowgetlighted，brightenedupathistopextremity，andmadehisacknowledgmentsinawaywhich（forhim）wasparliamentaryeloquence。Helikewisedidadd，that，havingceasedtodrawasaRoman，MimhadmadeproposalsforhisgoinginasaconwertedIndianGiantworkeduponbyTheDairyman’sDaughter。This，Pickleson，havingnoacquaintancewiththetractnamedafterthatyoungwoman，andnotbeingwillingtocouplegagwithhisseriousviews，haddeclinedtodo，therebyleadingtowordsandthetotalstoppageoftheunfortunateyoungman’sbeer。Allofwhich，duringthewholeoftheinterview，wasconfirmedbytheferociousgrowlingofMimdownbelowinthepay—place，whichshookthegiantlikealeaf。
　　Butwhatwastothepresentpointintheremarksofthetravellinggiant，otherwisePickleson，wasthis："DoctorMarigold，"——Igivehiswordswithoutahopeofconweyingtheirfeebleness，——"whoisthestrangeyoungmanthathangsaboutyourcarts？"——"ThestrangeyoungMAN？"Igiveshimback，thinkingthathemeanther，andhislanguidcirculationhaddroppedasyllable。"Doctor，"hereturns，withapathoscalculatedtodrawatearfromevenamanlyeye，"Iamweak，butnotsoweakyetasthatIdon’tknowmywords。Irepeatthem，Doctor。Thestrangeyoungman。"ItthenappearedthatPickleson，beingforcedtostretchhislegs（notthattheywantedit）onlyattimeswhenhecouldn’tbeseenfornothing，towitinthedeadofthenightandtowardsdaybreak，hadtwiceseenhangingaboutmycarts，inthatsametownofLancasterwhereIhadbeenonlytwonights，thissameunknownyoungman。
　　Itputmeratheroutofsorts。WhatitmeantastoparticularsInomoreforebodedthenthanyouforebodenow，butitputmeratheroutofsorts。Howsoever，ImadelightofittoPickleson，andItookleaveofPickleson，advisinghimtospendhislegacyingettinguphisstamina，andtocontinuetostandbyhisreligion。TowardsmorningIkeptalookoutforthestrangeyoungman，and——whatwasmore——Isawthestrangeyoungman。Hewaswelldressedandwelllooking。Heloiteredverynighmycarts，watchingthemlikeasifhewastakingcareofthem，andsoonafterdaybreakturnedandwentaway。Isentahailafterhim，butheneverstartedorlookedround，ortookthesmallestnotice。
　　WeleftLancasterwithinanhourortwo，onourwaytowardsCarlisle。Nextmorning，atdaybreak，Ilookedoutagainforthestrangeyoungman。Ididnotseehim。ButnextmorningIlookedoutagain，andtherehewasoncemore。Isentanotherhailafterhim，butasbeforehegavenottheslightestsignofbeinganywaysdisturbed。Thisputathoughtintomyhead。ActingonitIwatchedhimindifferentmannersandatdifferenttimesnotnecessarytoenterinto，tillIfoundthatthisstrangeyoungmanwasdeafanddumb。
　　Thediscoveryturnedmeover，becauseIknewthatapartofthatestablishmentwhereshehadbeenwasallottedtoyoungmen（someofthemwelloff），andIthoughttomyself，"Ifshefavourshim，whereamI？andwhereisallthatIhaveworkedandplannedfor？"Hoping—
　　—Imustconfesstotheselfishness——thatshemightNOTfavourhim，I
　　setmyselftofindout。AtlastIwasbyaccidentpresentatameetingbetweenthemintheopenair，lookingonleaningbehindafir—treewithouttheirknowingofit。Itwasamovingmeetingforallthethreepartiesconcerned。Ikneweverysyllablethatpassedbetweenthemaswellastheydid。Ilistenedwithmyeyes，whichhadcometobeasquickandtruewithdeafanddumbconversationasmyearswiththetalkofpeoplethatcanspeak。Hewasa—goingouttoChinaasclerkinamerchant’shouse，whichhisfatherhadbeenbeforehim。Hewasincircumstancestokeepawife，andhewantedhertomarryhimandgoalongwithhim。Shepersisted，no。Heaskedifshedidn’tlovehim。Yes，shelovedhimdearly，dearly；
　　butshecouldneverdisappointherbeloved，good，noble，generous，andI—don’t—know—what—allfather（meaningme，theCheapJackinthesleevedwaistcoat）andshewouldstaywithhim，Heavenblesshim！
　　thoughitwastobreakherheart。Thenshecriedmostbitterly，andthatmadeupmymind。
　　Whilemymindhadbeeninanunsettledstateaboutherfavouringthisyoungman，IhadfeltthatunreasonabletowardsPickleson，thatitwaswellforhimhehadgothislegacydown。ForIoftenthought，"Ifithadn’tbeenforthissameweak—mindedgiant，Imightneverhavecometotroublemyheadandwexmysoulabouttheyoungman。"But，oncethatIknewshelovedhim，——oncethatIhadseenherweepforhim，——itwasadifferentthing。ImadeitrightinmymindwithPicklesononthespot，andIshookmyselftogethertodowhatwasrightbyall。
　　Shehadlefttheyoungmanbythattime（forittookafewminutestogetmethoroughlywellshooktogether），andtheyoungmanwasleaningagainstanotherofthefir—trees，——ofwhichtherewasacluster，—withhisfaceuponhisarm。Itouchedhimontheback。
　　Lookingupandseeingme，hesays，inourdeaf—and—dumbtalk，"Donotbeangry。"
　　"Iamnotangry，goodboy。Iamyourfriend。Comewithme。"
　　IlefthimatthefootofthestepsoftheLibraryCart，andIwentupalone。Shewasdryinghereyes。
　　"Youhavebeencrying，mydear。"
　　"Yes，father。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Aheadache。"
　　"Notaheartache？"
　　"Isaidaheadache，father。"
　　"DoctorMarigoldmustprescribeforthatheadache。"
　　ShetookupthebookofmyPrescriptions，andhelditupwithaforcedsmile；butseeingmekeepstillandlookearnest，shesoftlylaiditdownagain，andhereyeswereveryattentive。
　　"ThePrescriptionisnotthere，Sophy。"
　　"Whereisit？"
　　"Here，mydear。"
　　Ibroughtheryounghusbandin，andIputherhandinhis，andmyonlyfartherwordstobothofthemwerethese："DoctorMarigold’slastPrescription。Tobetakenforlife。"AfterwhichIbolted。
　　Whentheweddingcomeoff，Imountedacoat（blue，andbrightbuttons），forthefirstandlasttimeinallmydays，andIgiveSophyawaywithmyownhand。Therewereonlyusthreeandthegentlemanwhohadhadchargeofherforthosetwoyears。IgivetheweddingdinneroffourintheLibraryCart。Pigeon—pie，alegofpickledpork，apairoffowls，andsuitablegardenstuff。Thebestofdrinks。Igivethemaspeech，andthegentlemangiveusaspeech，andallourjokestold，andthewholewentofflikeasky—
　　rocket。InthecourseoftheentertainmentIexplainedtoSophythatIshouldkeeptheLibraryCartasmyliving—cartwhennotupontheroad，andthatIshouldkeepallherbooksforherjustastheystood，tillshecomebacktoclaimthem。SoshewenttoChinawithheryounghusband，anditwasapartingsorrowfulandheavy，andI
　　gottheboyIhadanotherservice；andsoasofold，whenmychildandwifeweregone，Iwentploddingalongalone，withmywhipovermyshoulder，attheoldhorse’shead。
　　Sophywrotememanyletters，andIwrotehermanyletters。Abouttheendofthefirstyearshesentmeoneinanunsteadyhand：
　　"Dearestfather，notaweekagoIhadadarlinglittledaughter，butIamsowellthattheyletmewritethesewordstoyou。Dearestandbestfather，Ihopemychildmaynotbedeafanddumb，butIdonotyetknow。"WhenIwroteback，Ihintedthequestion；butasSophyneveransweredthatquestion，Ifeltittobeasadone，andIneverrepeatedit。Foralongtimeourletterswereregular，butthentheygotirregular，throughSophy’shusbandbeingmovedtoanotherstation，andthroughmybeingalwaysonthemove。Butwewereinoneanother’sthoughts，Iwasequallysure，lettersornoletters。
　　Fiveyears，oddmonths，hadgonesinceSophywentaway。IwasstilltheKingoftheCheapJacks，andatagreaterheightofpopularitythanever。Ihadhadafirst—rateautumnofit，andonthetwenty—
　　thirdofDecember，onethousandeighthundredandsixty—four，I
　　foundmyselfatUxbridge，Middlesex，cleansoldout。SoIjoggeduptoLondonwiththeoldhorse，lightandeasy，tohavemyChristmas—
　　eveandChristmas—dayalonebythefireintheLibraryCart，andthentobuyaregularnewstockofgoodsallround，tosell’emagainandgetthemoney。
　　Iamaneathandatcookery，andI’lltellyouwhatIknockedupformyChristmas—evedinnerintheLibraryCart。Iknockedupabeefsteak—puddingforone，withtwokidneys，adozenoysters，andacoupleofmushroomsthrownin。It’sapuddingtoputamaningoodhumourwitheverything，exceptthetwobottombuttonsofhiswaistcoat。Havingrelishedthatpuddingandclearedaway，Iturnedthelamplow，andsatdownbythelightofthefire，watchingitasitshoneuponthebacksofSophy’sbooks。
　　Sophy’sbookssobroughtSophy’sself，thatIsawhertouchingfacequiteplainly，beforeIdroppedoffdozingbythefire。ThismaybeareasonwhySophy，withherdeaf—and—dumbchildinherarms，seemedtostandsilentbymeallthroughmynap。Iwasontheroad，offtheroad，inallsortsofplaces，NorthandSouthandWestandEast，Windslikedbestandwindslikedleast，Hereandthereandgoneastray，Overthehillsandfaraway，andstillshestoodsilentbyme，withhersilentchildinherarms。EvenwhenIwokewithastart，sheseemedtovanish，asifshehadstoodbymeinthatveryplaceonlyasingleinstantbefore。
　　Ihadstartedatarealsound，andthesoundwasonthestepsofthecart。Itwasthelighthurriedtreadofachild，comingclamberingup。Thattreadofachildhadoncebeensofamiliartome，thatforhalfamomentIbelievedIwasa—goingtoseealittleghost。
　　Butthetouchofarealchildwaslaidupontheouterhandleofthedoor，andthehandleturned，andthedooropenedalittleway，andarealchildpeepedin。Abrightlittlecomelygirlwithlargedarkeyes。
　　Lookingfullatme，thetinycreaturetookoffhermiteofastrawhat，andaquantityofdarkcurlsfellaboutherface。Thensheopenedherlips，andsaidinaprettyvoice，"Grandfather！"
　　"Ah，myGod！"Icriesout。"Shecanspeak！"
　　"Yes，deargrandfather。AndIamtoaskyouwhethertherewaseveranyonethatIremindyouof？"
　　InamomentSophywasroundmyneck，aswellasthechild，andherhusbandwasa—wringingmyhandwithhisfacehid，andweallhadtoshakeourselvestogetherbeforewecouldgetoverit。Andwhenwedidbegintogetoverit，andIsawtheprettychilda—talking，pleasedandquickandeagerandbusy，tohermother，inthesignsthatIhadfirsttaughthermother，thehappyandyetpityingtearsfellrollingdownmyface。