Master Humphrey’s Clock_第4章_无广告免费看-丁香书院

　　Mr。Wellercameoutsostronginhiscapacityofchairman，thatSamwasforsometimepreventedfromspeakingbyagrinofsurprise，whichheldhisfacultiesenchained，andatlastsubsidedinalongwhistleofasinglenote。Nay，theoldgentlemanappearedeventohaveastonishedhimself，andthattonosmallextent，aswasdemonstratedbythevastamountofchucklinginwhichheindulged，aftertheutteranceoftheselucidremarks。
　　’Here’sthestory，’saidSam。’Vunceuponatimetherewosayounghairdresserasopenedawerysmartlittleshopvithfourwaxdummiesinthewinder，twogen’lmenandtwoladies—thegen’lmenvithbluedotsfortheirbeards，werylargeviskers，oudaciousheadsofhair，uncommoncleareyes，andnostrilsofamazin’
　　pinkness;theladiesviththeirheadso’oneside，theirrightforefingersontheirlips，andtheirformsdewelopedbeautiful，invichlastrespecttheyhadtheadwantageoverthegen’lmen，aswasn’tallowedbutwerylittleshoulder，andterminatedraytherabruptinfancydrapery。Hehadalsoamanyhair—brushesandtooth—brushesbottledupinthewinder，neatglass—casesonthecounter，afloor—clothedcuttin’—roomup—stairs，andaweighin’—
　　macheenintheshop，rightoppositethedoor。Butthegreatattractionandornamentwosthedummies，whichthishereyounghairdresserwosconstantlyarunnin’outintheroadtolookat，andconstantlyarunnin’inagaintotouchupandpolish;inshort，hewossoproudon’em，thatvenSundaycome，hewosalwayswretchedandmis’rabletothinktheywosbehindtheshutters，andlookedanxiouslyforMondayonthataccount。Vuno’thesedummieswosafavritevithhimbeyondtheothers;andvenanyofhisacquaintanceaskedhimwyhedidn’tgetmarried—astheyoungladiesheknow’d，inpartickler，oftendid—heusedtosay，"Never！Inevervillenterintothebondsofvedlock，"hesays，"untilImeetvithayoung’oomanasrealisesmyideao’that’erefairestdummyviththelighthair。Then，andnottillthen，"hesays，"Ivillapproachthealtar。"Alltheyoungladiesheknow’dashadgotdarkhairtoldhimthiswoswerysinful，andthathewoswurshippin’aidle;butthemaswosatallnearthesameshadeasthedummycolouredupwerymuch，andwosobservedtothinkhimaweryniceyoungman。’
　　’Samivel，’saidMr。Weller，gravely，’amembero’thisassociashunbein’oneo’that’eretendersexwhichisnowimmedetlyreferredto，Ihavetorekvestthatyouvillmakenoreflections。’
　　’Iain’tamakin’any，amI？’inquiredSam。
　　’Order，sir！’rejoinedMr。Weller，withseveredignity。Then，sinkingthechairmaninthefather，headded，inhisusualtoneofvoice：’Samivel，driveon！’
　　Saminterchangedasmilewiththehousekeeper，andproceeded：
　　’Theyounghairdresserhadn’tbeeninthehabito’makin’thisavowalabovesixmonths，venheen—counteredayoungladyaswosthewerypictero’thefairestdummy。"Now，"hesays，"it’sallup。Iamaslave！"Theyoungladywosnotonlythepictero’thefairestdummy，butshewasweryromantic，astheyounghairdresserwas，too，andhesays，"O！"hesays，"here’sacommunityo’
　　feelin’，here’saflowo’soul！"hesays，"here’sainterchangeo’
　　sentiment！"Theyoungladydidn’tsaymuch，o’course，butsheexpressedherselfagreeable，andshortlyartervardsventtoseehimvithamutualfriend。Thehairdresserrushesouttomeether，butd’rectlysheseesthedummiesshechangescolourandfallsatremblin’wiolently。"Lookup，mylove，"saysthehairdresser，"beholdyourimigeinmywinder，butnotcorrecterthaninmyart！"
　　"Myimige！"shesays。"Yourn！"repliesthehairdresser。"ButwhoseimigeisTHAT？"shesays，apintingatvuno’thegen’lmen。
　　"Novun’s，mylove，"hesays，"itisbutaidea。""Aidea！"shecries："itisaportrait，Ifeelitisaportrait，andthat’erenoblefacemustbeinthemillingtary！""WotdoIhear！"sayshe，acrumplin’hiscurls。"VilliamGibbs，"shesays，quitefirm，"neverrenoothesubject。Irespectyouasafriend，"shesays，"butmyaffectionsissetuponthatmanlybrow。""This，"saysthehairdresser，"isareg’larblight，andinitIperceivethehandofFate。Farevell！"Viththesevordsherushesintotheshop，breaksthedummy’snosevithablowofhiscurlin’—irons，meltshimdownattheparlourfire，andneversmilesartervards。’
　　’Theyounglady，Mr。Weller？’saidthehousekeeper。
　　’Why，ma’am，’saidSam，’findingthatFatehadaspiteaginher，andeverybodyshecomeintocontactvith，sheneversmiledneither，butreadadealo’poetryandpinedavay，—byraytherslowdegrees，forsheain’tdeadyet。Ittookadealo’poetrytokillthehair—dresser，andsomepeoplesayarterallthatitwasmoretheginandwaterascausedhimtoberunover;p’r’apsitwasalittleo’both，andcameo’mixingthetwo。’
　　ThebarberdeclaredthatMr。Wellerhadrelatedoneofthemostinterestingstoriesthathadevercomewithinhisknowledge，inwhichopinionthehousekeeperentirelyconcurred。
　　’Areyouamarriedman，sir？’inquiredSam。
　　Thebarberrepliedthathehadnotthathonour。
　　’Is’poseyoumeantobe？’saidSam。
　　’Well，’repliedthebarber，rubbinghishandssmirkingly，’Idon’tknow，Idon’tthinkit’sverylikely。’
　　’That’sabadsign，’saidSam;’ifyou’dsaidyoumeanttobevuno’thesedays，Ishouldha’lookeduponyouasbein’safe。You’reinaweryprecariousstate。’
　　’Iamnotconsciousofanydanger，atallevents，’returnedthebarber。
　　’NomorewosI，sir，’saidtheelderMr。Weller，interposing;
　　’thoseveremysymptoms，exactly。I’vebeentookthatvaytwice。
　　Keepyourvethereyeopen，myfriend，oryou’regone。’
　　Therewassomethingsoverysolemnaboutthisadmonition，bothinitsmatterandmanner，andalsointhewayinwhichMr。Wellerstillkepthiseyefixedupontheunsuspectingvictim，thatnobodycaredtospeakforsomelittletime，andmightnothavecaredtodosoforsometimelonger，ifthehousekeeperhadnothappenedtosigh，whichcalledofftheoldgentleman’sattentionandgaverisetoagallantinquirywhether’therewosanythin’werypiercin’inthat’erelittleheart？’
　　’Dearme，Mr。Weller！’saidthehousekeeper，laughing。
　　’No，butisthereanythin’asagitatesit？’pursuedtheoldgentleman。’Hasitalwaysbeenobderrate，alwaysopposedtothehappinesso’humancreeturs？Eh？Hasit？’
　　Atthiscriticaljunctureforherblushesandconfusion，thehousekeeperdiscoveredthatmorealewaswanted，andhastilywithdrewintothecellartodrawthesame，followedbythebarber，whoinsistedoncarryingthecandle。Havinglookedafterherwithaverycomplacentexpressionofface，andafterhimwithsomedisdain，Mr。Wellercausedhisglancetotravelslowlyroundthekitchen，untilatlengthitrestedonhisson。
　　’Sammy，’saidMr。Weller，’Imistrustthatbarber。’
　　’Wotfor？’returnedSam;’wot’shegottodowithyou？You’reaniceman，youare，arterpretendin’allkindso’terror，togoapayin’complimentsandtalkin’aboutheartsandpiercers。’
　　TheimputationofgallantryappearedtoaffordMr。Wellertheutmostdelight，forherepliedinavoicechokedbysuppressedlaughter，andwiththetearsinhiseyes，’WosIatalkin’aboutheartsandpiercers，—wosIthough，Sammy，eh？’
　　’Wosyou？ofcourseyouwos。’
　　’Shedon’tknownobetter，Sammy，thereain’tnoharminit，—nodanger，Sammy;she’sonlyapunster。Sheseemedpleased，though，didn’tshe？O’course，shewospleased，it’snat’ralsheshouldbe，werynat’ral。’
　　’He’swainofit！’exclaimedSam，joininginhisfather’smirth。
　　’He’sactuallywain！’
　　’Hush！’repliedMr。Weller，composinghisfeatures，’they’reacomin’back，—thelittleheart’sacomin’back。Butmarkthesewurdso’mineoncemore，andremember’emvenyourfathersayshesaid’em。Samivel，Imistrustthat’eredeceitfulbarber。’
　　CHAPTERVI—MASTERHUMPHREY，FROMHISCLOCK—SIDEINTHECHIMNEY
　　CORNER
　　TWOorthreeeveningsaftertheinstitutionofMr。Weller’sWatch，IthoughtIheard，asIwalkedinthegarden，thevoiceofMr。
　　Wellerhimselfatnogreatdistance;andstoppingonceortwicetolistenmoreattentively，Ifoundthatthesoundsproceededfrommyhousekeeper’slittlesitting—room，whichisatthebackofthehouse。Itooknofurthernoticeofthecircumstanceatthattime，butitformedthesubjectofaconversationbetweenmeandmyfriendJackRedburnnextmorning，whenIfoundthatIhadnotbeendeceivedinmyimpression。Jackfurnishedmewiththefollowingparticulars;andasheappearedtotakeextraordinarypleasureinrelatingthem，Ihavebeggedhiminfuturetojotdownanysuchdomesticscenesoroccurrencesthatmaypleasehishumour，inorderthattheymaybetoldinhisownway。Imustconfessthat，asMr。
　　Pickwickandheareconstantlytogether，Ihavebeeninfluenced，inmakingthisrequest，byasecretdesiretoknowsomethingoftheirproceedings。
　　Ontheeveninginquestion，thehousekeeper’sroomwasarrangedwithparticularcare，andthehousekeeperherselfwasverysmartlydressed。Thepreparations，however，werenotconfinedtomereshowydemonstrations，asteawaspreparedforthreepersons，withasmalldisplayofpreservesandjamsandsweetcakes，whichheraldedsomeuncommonoccasion。MissBenton（myhousekeeperbearsthatname）wasinastateofgreatexpectation，too，frequentlygoingtothefrontdoorandlookinganxiouslydownthelane，andmorethanonceobservingtotheservant—girlthatsheexpectedcompany，andhopednoaccidenthadhappenedtodelaythem。
　　Amodestringatthebellatlengthallayedherfears，andMissBenton，hurryingintoherownroomandshuttingherselfup，inorderthatshemightpreservethatappearanceofbeingtakenbysurprisewhichissoessentialtothepolitereceptionofvisitors，awaitedtheircomingwithasmilingcountenance。
　　’Goodev’nin’，mum，’saidtheolderMr。Weller，lookinginatthedoorafteraprefatorytap。’I’mafeerdwe’vecomeinraytherarterthetime，mum，buttheyoungcoltbeingfullo’wice，hasbeen’aboltin’andshyin’andgettin’hislegoverthetracestosichaextentthatifhean’twerysoonbrokein，he’llwexmeintoabrokenheart，andthenhe’llneverbebroughtoutnomoreexcepttolearnhislettersfromthewritin’onhisgrandfather’stombstone。’
　　Withthesepatheticwords，whichwereaddressedtosomethingoutsidethedoorabouttwofeetsixfromtheground，Mr。Wellerintroducedaverysmallboyfirmlysetuponacoupleofverysturdylegs，wholookedasifnothingcouldeverknockhimdown。BesideshavingaveryroundfacestronglyresemblingMr。Weller’s，andastoutlittlebodyofexactlyhisbuild，thisyounggentleman，standingwithhislittlelegsverywideapart，asifthetop—bootswerefamiliartothem，actuallywinkeduponthehousekeeperwithhisinfanteye，inimitationofhisgrandfather。
　　’There’sanaughtyboy，mum，’saidMr。Weller，burstingwithdelight，’there’saimmoralTony。Wosthereeveralittlechapo’
　　fouryearandeightmonthsoldasvinkedhiseyeatastrangeladyafore？’
　　Aslittleaffectedbythisobservationasbytheformerappealtohisfeelings，MasterWellerelevatedintheairasmallmodelofacoachwhipwhichhecarriedinhishand，andaddressingthehousekeeperwithashrill’ya—hip！’inquiredifshewas’goingdowntheroad;’atwhichhappyadaptationofalessonhehadbeentaughtfrominfancy，Mr。Wellercouldrestrainhisfeelingsnolonger，butgavehimtwopenceonthespot。
　　’It’sinwaintodenyit，mum，’saidMr。Weller，’thishereisaboyarterhisgrandfather’sownheart，andbeatsoutalltheboysaseverwosorwillbe。Thoughatthesametime，mum，’addedMr。
　　Weller，tryingtolookgravelydownuponhisfavourite，’itwaswerywrongonhimtowantto—overallthepostsaswecomealong，andwerycruelonhimtoforcepoorgrandfathertolifthimcross—
　　leggedovereveryvunof’em。Hewouldn’tpassvunsingleblessedpost，mum，andatthetopo’thelanethere’sseven—and—fortyon’emallinarow，andweryclosetogether。’
　　HereMr。Weller，whosefeelingswereinaperpetualconflictbetweenprideinhisgrandson’sachievementsandasenseofhisownresponsibility，andtheimportanceofimpressinghimwithmoraltruths，burstintoafitoflaughter，andsuddenlycheckinghimself，remarkedinaseveretonethatlittleboysasmadetheirgrandfathersput’emoverpostsneverwenttoheavenatanyprice。
　　Bythistimethehousekeeperhadmadetea，andlittleTony，placedonachairbesideher，withhiseyesnearlyonalevelwiththetopofthetable，wasprovidedwithvariousdelicacieswhichyieldedhimextremecontentment。Thehousekeeper（whoseemedratherafraidofthechild，notwithstandinghercaresses）thenpattedhimonthehead，anddeclaredthathewasthefinestboyshehadeverseen。
　　’Wy，mum，’saidMr。Weller，’Idon’tthinkyou’llseeamanysich，andthat’sthetruth。ButifmysonSamivelvouldgivememyvay，mum，andonlydis—pensevithhis—MIGHTIwentertosaythevurd？’
　　’Whatword，Mr。Weller？’saidthehousekeeper，blushingslightly。
　　’Petticuts，mum，’returnedthatgentleman，layinghishanduponthegarmentsofhisgrandson。’IfmysonSamivel，mum，vouldonlydis—
　　penseviththesehere，you’dseesuchaalterationinhisappearance，astheimaginationcan’tdepicter。’
　　’Butwhatwouldyouhavethechildwearinstead，Mr。Weller？’saidthehousekeeper。
　　’I’veofferedmysonSamivel，mum，agenandagen，’returnedtheoldgentleman，’topurwidehimatmyowncostvithasuito’clothesas’udbethemakin’onhim，andformhismindininfancyforthosepursuitsasIhopethefamilyo’theVellersvillalvaysdewotethemselvesto。Tony，myboy，telltheladywotthemclothesare，asgrandfathersays，fatheroughttoletyouvear。’
　　’Alittlewhitehatandalittlesprigweskutandlittlekneecordsandlittletop—bootsandalittlegreencoatwithlittlebrightbuttonsandalittlewelwetcollar，’repliedTony，withgreatreadinessandnostops。
　　’That’sthecos—toom，mum，’saidMr。Weller，lookingproudlyatthehousekeeper。’Oncemakesichamodelonhimasthat，andyou’dsayheWOSanangel！’
　　PerhapsthehousekeeperthoughtthatinsuchaguiseyoungTonywouldlookmoreliketheangelatIslingtonthananythingelseofthatname，orperhapsshewasdisconcertedtofindherpreviously—
　　conceivedideasdisturbed，asangelsarenotcommonlyrepresentedintop—bootsandsprigwaistcoats。Shecougheddoubtfully，butsaidnothing。
　　’Howmanybrothersandsistershaveyou，mydear？’sheasked，afterashortsilence。
　　’Onebrotherandnosisteratall，’repliedTony。’Samhisnameis，andso’smyfather’s。Doyouknowmyfather？’
　　’Oyes，Iknowhim，’saidthehousekeeper，graciously。
　　’Ismyfatherfondofyou？’pursuedTony。
　　’Ihopeso，’rejoinedthesmilinghousekeeper。
　　Tonyconsideredamoment，andthensaid，’Ismygrandfatherfondofyou？’
　　Thiswouldseemaveryeasyquestiontoanswer，butinsteadofreplyingtoit，thehousekeepersmiledingreatconfusion，andsaidthatreallychildrendidasksuchextraordinaryquestionsthatitwasthemostdifficultthingintheworldtotalktothem。Mr。
　　Wellertookuponhimselftoreplythathewasveryfondofthelady;butthehousekeeperentreatingthathewouldnotputsuchthingsintothechild’shead，Mr。Wellershookhisownwhileshelookedanotherway，andseemedtobetroubledwithamisgivingthatcaptivationwasinprogress。Itwas，perhaps，onthisaccountthathechangedthesubjectprecipitately。
　　’It’swerywronginlittleboystomakegameo’theirgrandfathers，an’tit，mum？’saidMr。Weller，shakinghisheadwaggishly，untilTonylookedathim，whenhecounterfeitedthedeepestdejectionandsorrow。
　　’O，verysad！’assentedthehousekeeper。’ButIhopenolittleboysdothat？’
　　’ThereisvunyoungTurk，mum，’saidMr。Weller，’ashavin’seenhisgrandfatheralittleovercomevithdrinkontheoccasionofafriend’sbirthday，goesareelin’andstaggerin’aboutthehouse，andmakin’believethathe’stheoldgen’lm’n。’
　　’O，quiteshocking！’criedthehousekeeper，’Yes，mum，’saidMr。Weller;’andpreviouslytosodoin’，thishereyoungtraitorthatI’maspeakin’of，pincheshislittlenosetomakeitred，andthenhegivesahiccupandsays，"I’mallright，"
　　hesays;"giveusanothersong！"Ha，ha！"Giveusanothersong，"
　　hesays。Ha，ha，ha！’
　　Inhisexcessivedelight，Mr。Wellerwasquiteunmindfulofhismoralresponsibility，untillittleTonykickeduphislegs，andlaughingimmoderately，cried，’Thatwasme，thatwas;’whereuponthegrandfather，byagreateffort，becameextremelysolemn。
　　’No，Tony，notyou，’saidMr。Weller。’Ihopeitwarn’tyou，Tony。
　　Itmustha’beenthat’erenaughtylittlechapascomessometimesouto’theemptywatch—boxroundthecorner，—thatsamelittlechapaswosfoundstandingonthetableaforethelooking—glass，pretendingtoshavehimselfvithaoyster—knife。’
　　’Hedidn’thurthimself，Ihope？’observedthehousekeeper。
　　’Nothe，mum，’saidMr。Wellerproudly;’blessyourheart，youmighttrustthat’ereboyvithasteam—enginea’most，he’ssuchaknowin’young’—butsuddenlyrecollectinghimselfandobservingthatTonyperfectlyunderstoodandappreciatedthecompliment，theoldgentlemangroanedandobservedthat’itwosallweryshockin’—
　　wery。’
　　’O，he’sabad’un，’saidMr。Weller，’isthat’erewatch—boxboy，makin’suchanoiseandlitterinthebackyard，hedoes，waterin’
　　woodenhorsesandfeedin’of’emvithgrass，andperpetivallyspillin’hislittlebrotheroutofaveelbarrowandfrightenin’hismotheroutofhervits，atthewerymomentwenshe’sexpectin’toincreasehisstockofhappinessvithanotherplay—feller，—O，he’sabadone！He’sevengonesofarastoputonapairofpaperspectaclesashegothisfathertomakeforhim，andwalkupanddownthegardenvithhishandsbehindhiminimitationofMr。
　　Pickwick，—butTonydon’tdosichthings，Ono！’
　　’Ono！’echoedTony。
　　’Heknowsbetter，hedoes，’saidMr。Weller。’Heknowsthatifhewostocomesichgamesasthesenobodywouldn’tlovehim，andthathisgrandfatherinparticklercouldn’tabearthesightonhim;forvichreasonsTony’salwaysgood。’
　　’Alwaysgood，’echoedTony;andhisgrandfatherimmediatelytookhimonhiskneeandkissedhim，atthesametime，withmanynodsandwinks，slylypointingatthechild’sheadwithhisthumb，inorderthatthehousekeeper，otherwisedeceivedbytheadmirablemannerinwhichhe（Mr。Weller）hadsustainedhischaracter，mightnotsupposethatanyotheryounggentlemanwasreferredto，andmightclearlyunderstandthattheboyofthewatch—boxwasbutanimaginarycreation，andafetchofTonyhimself，inventedforhisimprovementandreformation。
　　Notconfininghimselftoamereverbaldescriptionofhisgrandson’sabilities，Mr。Weller，whenteawasfinished，invitedhimbyvariousgiftsofpenceandhalfpencetosmokeimaginarypipes，drinkvisionarybeerfromrealpots，imitatehisgrandfatherwithoutreserve，andinparticulartogothroughthedrunkenscene，whichthrewtheoldgentlemanintoecstasiesandfilledthehousekeeperwithwonder。NorwasMr。Weller’spridesatisfiedwitheventhisdisplay，forwhenhetookhisleavehecarriedthechild，likesomerareandastonishingcuriosity，firsttothebarber’shouseandafterwardstothetobacconist’s，ateachofwhichplacesherepeatedhisperformanceswiththeutmosteffecttoapplaudinganddelightedaudiences。Itwashalf—pastnineo’clockwhenMr。
　　Wellerwaslastseencarryinghimhomeuponhisshoulder，andithasbeenwhisperedabroadthatatthattimetheinfantTonywasratherintoxicated。
　　IwasmusingtheothereveninguponthecharactersandincidentswithwhichIhadbeensolongengaged;wonderinghowIcouldeverhavelookedforwardwithpleasuretothecompletionofmytale，andreproachingmyselfforhavingdoneso，asifitwereakindofcrueltytothosecompanionsofmysolitudewhomIhadnowdismissed，andcouldneveragainrecall;whenmyclockstruckten。
　　Punctualtothehour，myfriendsappeared。
　　Onourlastnightofmeeting，wehadfinishedthestorywhichthereaderhasjustconcluded。Ourconversationtookthesamecurrentasthemeditationswhichtheentranceofmyfriendshadinterrupted，andTheOldCuriosityShopwasthestapleofourdiscourse。
　　Imayconfidetothereadernow，thatinconnectionwiththislittlehistoryIhadsomethinguponmymind;somethingtocommunicatewhichIhadallalongwithdifficultyrepressed;
　　somethingIhaddeemedit，duringtheprogressofthestory，necessarytoitsinteresttodisguise，andwhich，nowthatitwasover，Iwished，andwasyetreluctant，todisclose。
　　ToconcealanythingfromthosetowhomIamattached，isnotinmynature。IcanneverclosemylipswhereIhaveopenedmyheart。
　　Thistemper，andtheconsciousnessofhavingdonesomeviolencetoitinmynarrative，laidmeunderarestraintwhichIshouldhavehadgreatdifficultyinovercoming，butforatimelyremarkfromMr。Miles，who，asIhintedinaformerpaper，isagentlemanofbusinesshabits，andofgreatexactnessandproprietyinallhistransactions。
　　’Icouldhavewished，’myfriendobjected，’thatwehadbeenmadeacquaintedwiththesinglegentleman’sname。Idon’tlikehiswithholdinghisname。Itmademelookuponhimatfirstwithsuspicion，andcausedmetodoubthismoralcharacter，Iassureyou。Iamfullysatisfiedbythistimeofhisbeingaworthycreature;butinthisrespecthecertainlywouldnotappeartohaveactedatalllikeamanofbusiness。’
　　’Myfriends，’saidI，drawingtothetable，atwhichtheywerebythistimeseatedintheirusualchairs，’doyourememberthatthisstoryboreanothertitlebesidesthatonewehavesooftenheardoflate？’
　　Mr。Mileshadhispocket—bookoutinaninstant，andreferringtoanentrytherein，rejoined，’Certainly。PersonalAdventuresofMasterHumphrey。Hereitis。Imadeanoteofitatthetime。’
　　IwasabouttoresumewhatIhadtotellthem，whenthesameMr。
　　Milesagaininterruptedme，observingthatthenarrativeoriginatedinapersonaladventureofmyown，andthatwasnodoubtthereasonforitsbeingthusdesignated。
　　Thisledmetothepointatonce。
　　’Youwilloneandallforgiveme，’Ireturned，’ifforthegreaterconvenienceofthestory，andforitsbetterintroduction，thatadventurewasfictitious。Ihadmyshare，indeed，—nolightortrivialone，—inthepageswehaveread，butitwasnottheshareIfeignedtohaveatfirst。Theyoungerbrother，thesinglegentleman，thenamelessactorinthislittledrama，standsbeforeyounow。’
　　Itwaseasytoseetheyhadnotexpectedthisdisclosure。
　　’Yes，’Ipursued。’Icanlookbackuponmypartinitwithacalm，half—smilingpityformyselfasforsomeotherman。ButIamhe，indeed;andnowthechiefsorrowsofmylifeareyours。’
　　IneednotsaywhattruegratificationIderivedfromthesympathyandkindnesswithwhichthisacknowledgmentwasreceived;norhowoftenithadrisentomylipsbefore;norhowdifficultIhadfoundit—howimpossible，whenIcametothosepassageswhichtouchedmemost，andmostnearlyconcernedme—tosustainthecharacterIhadassumed。ItisenoughtosaythatIreplacedintheclock—casetherecordofsomanytrials，—sorrowfully，itistrue，butwithasoftenedsorrowwhichwasalmostpleasure;andfeltthatinlivingthroughthepastagain，andcommunicatingtoothersthelessonithadhelpedtoteachme，Ihadbeenahappierman。
　　WelingeredsolongovertheleavesfromwhichIhadread，thatasIconsignedthemtotheirformerresting—place，thehandofmytrustyclockpointedtotwelve，andtherecametowardsusuponthewindthevoiceofthedeepanddistantbellofSt。Paul’sasitstruckthehourofmidnight。
　　’This，’saidI，returningwithamanuscriptIhadtakenatthemoment，fromthesamerepository，’tobeopenedtosuchmusic，shouldbeatalewhereLondon’sfacebynightisdarklyseen，andwheresomedeedofsuchatimeasthisisdimlyshadowedout。
　　Whichofusherehasseentheworkingofthatgreatmachinewhosevoicehasjustnowceased？’
　　Mr。Pickwickhad，ofcourse，andsohadMr。Miles。Jackandmydeaffriendwereintheminority。
　　Ihadseenitbutafewdaysbefore，andcouldnothelptellingthemofthefancyIhadaboutit。
　　Ipaidmyfeeoftwopenceuponentering，tooneofthemoney—
　　changerswhositwithintheTemple;andfalling，afterafewturnsupanddown，intothequiettrainofthoughtwhichsuchaplaceawakens，pacedtheechoingstoneslikesomeoldmonkwhosepresentworldlayallwithinitswalls。AsIlookedafarupintotheloftydome，Icouldnothelpwonderingwhatwerehisreflectionswhosegeniusrearedthatmightypile，when，thelastsmallwedgeoftimberfixed，thelastnaildrivenintoitshomeformanycenturies，theclangofhammers，andthehumofbusyvoicesgone，andtheGreatSilencewholeyearsofnoisehadhelpedtomake，reigningundisturbedaround，hemused，asIdidnow，uponhiswork，andlosthimselfamiditsvastextent。Icouldnotquitedeterminewhetherthecontemplationofitwouldimpresshimwithasenseofgreatnessorofinsignificance;butwhenIrememberedhowlongatimeithadtakentoerect，inhowshortaspaceitmightbetraversedeventoitsremotestparts，forhowbriefatermhe，oranyofthosewhocaredtobearhisname，wouldlivetoseeit，orknowofitsexistence，Iimaginedhimfarmoremelancholythanproud，andlookingwithregretuponhislabourdone。Withthesethoughtsinmymind，Ibegantoascend，almostunconsciously，theflightofstepsleadingtotheseveralwondersofthebuilding，andfoundmyselfbeforeabarrierwhereanothermoney—takersat，whodemandedwhichamongthemIwouldchoosetosee。Therewerethestonegallery，hesaid，andthewhisperinggallery，thegeometricalstaircase，theroomofmodels，theclock—theclockbeingquiteinmyway，Istoppedhimthere，andchosethatsightfromalltherest。
　　IgropedmywayintotheTurretwhichitoccupies，andsawbeforeme，inakindofloft，whatseemedtobeagreat，oldoakenpresswithfoldingdoors。Thesebeingthrownbackbytheattendant（whowassleepingwhenIcameuponhim，andlookedadrowsyfellow，asthoughhisclosecompanionshipwithTimehadmadehimquiteindifferenttoit），disclosedacomplicatedcrowdofwheelsandchainsinironandbrass，—great，sturdy，rattlingengines，—
　　suggestiveofbreakingafingerputinhereorthere，andgrindingthebonetopowder，—andtheseweretheClock！Itsverypulse，ifImayusetheword，waslikenootherclock。Itdidnotmarktheflightofeverymomentwithagentlesecondstroke，asthoughitwouldcheckoldTime，andhavehimstayhispaceinpity，butmeasureditwithonesledge—hammerbeat，asifitsbusinessweretocrushthesecondsastheycametroopingon，andremorselesslytoclearapathbeforetheDayofJudgment。
　　Isatdownoppositetoit，andhearingitsregularandnever—
　　changingvoice，thatonedeepconstantnote，uppermostamongstallthenoiseandclatterinthestreetsbelow，—markingthat，letthattumultriseorfall，goonorstop，—letitbenightornoon，to—morroworto—day，thisyearornext，—itstillperformeditsfunctionswiththesamedullconstancy，andregulatedtheprogressofthelifearound，thefancycameuponmethatthiswasLondon’sHeart，—andthatwhenitshouldceasetobeat，theCitywouldbenomore。
　　Itisnight。Calmandunmovedamidstthescenesthatdarknessfavours，thegreatheartofLondonthrobsinitsGiantbreast。
　　Wealthandbeggary，viceandvirtue，guiltandinnocence，repletionandthediresthunger，alltreadingoneachotherandcrowdingtogether，aregatheredroundit。Drawbutalittlecircleabovetheclusteringhousetops，andyoushallhavewithinitsspaceeverything，withitsoppositeextremeandcontradiction，closebeside。Whereyonderfeeblelightisshining，amanisbutthismomentdead。Thetaperatafewyards’distanceisseenbyeyesthathavethisinstantopenedontheworld。Therearetwohousesseparatedbybutaninchortwoofwall。Inone，therearequietmindsatrest;intheother，awakingconsciencethatonemightthinkwouldtroubletheveryair。Inthatclosecornerwheretheroofsshrinkdownandcowertogetherasiftohidetheirsecretsfromthehandsomestreethardby，therearesuchdarkcrimes，suchmiseriesandhorrors，ascouldbehardlytoldinwhispers。Inthehandsomestreet，therearefolksasleepwhohavedwelttherealltheirlives，andhavenomoreknowledgeofthesethingsthaniftheyhadneverbeen，orweretransactedattheremotestlimitsoftheworld，—who，iftheywerehintedat，wouldshaketheirheads，lookwise，andfrown，andsaytheywereimpossible，andoutofNature，—asifallgreattownswerenot。DoesnotthisHeartofLondon，thatnothingmoves，norstops，norquickens，—thatgoesonthesameletwhatwillbedone，doesitnotexpresstheCity’scharacterwell？
　　Thedaybeginstobreak，andsoonthereisthehumandnoiseoflife。Thosewhohavespentthenightondoorstepsandcoldstonescrawlofftobeg;theywhohavesleptinbedscomeforthtotheiroccupation，too，andbusinessisastir。Thefogofsleeprollsslowlyoff，andLondonshinesawake。Thestreetsarefilledwithcarriagesandpeoplegailyclad。Thejailsarefull，too，tothethroat，norhavetheworkhousesorhospitalsmuchroomtospare。
　　Thecourtsoflawarecrowded。Tavernshavetheirregularfrequentersbythistime，andeverymartoftraffichasitsthrong。
　　Eachoftheseplacesisaworld，andhasitsowninhabitants;eachisdistinctfrom，andalmostunconsciousoftheexistenceofanyother。Therearesomefewpeoplewelltodo，whoremembertohavehearditsaid，thatnumbersofmenandwomen—thousands，theythinkitwas—getupinLondoneveryday，unknowingwheretolaytheirheadsatnight;andthattherearequartersofthetownwheremiseryandfaminealwaysare。Theydon’tbelieveitquite，—theremaybesometruthinit，butitisexaggerated，ofcourse。So，eachofthesethousandworldsgoeson，intentuponitself，untilnightcomesagain，—firstwithitslightsandpleasures，anditscheerfulstreets;thenwithitsguiltanddarkness。
　　HeartofLondon，thereisamoralinthyeverystroke！asIlookonatthyindomitableworking，whichneitherdeath，norpressoflife，norgrief，norgladnessoutofdoorswillinfluenceonejot，Iseemtohearavoicewithintheewhichsinksintomyheart，biddingme，asIelbowmywayamongthecrowd，havesomethoughtforthemeanestwretchthatpasses，and，beingaman，toturnawaywithscornandpridefromnonethatbearthehumanshape。
　　IambynomeanssurethatImightnothavebeentemptedtoenlargeuponthesubject，hadnotthepapersthatlaybeforemeonthetablebeenasilentreproachforeventhisdigression。ItookthemupagainwhenIhadgotthusfar，andseriouslypreparedtoread。
　　Thehandwritingwasstrangetome，forthemanuscripthadbeenfairlycopied。Asitisagainstourrules，insuchacase，toinquireintotheauthorshipuntilthereadingisconcluded，Icouldonlyglanceatthedifferentfacesroundme，insearchofsomeexpressionwhichshouldbetraythewriter。Whoeverhemightbe，hewaspreparedforthis，andgavenosignformyenlightenment。
　　Ihadthepapersinmyhand，whenmydeaffriendinterposedwithasuggestion。
　　’Ithasoccurredtome，’hesaid，’bearinginmindyoursequeltothetalewehavefinished，thatifsuchofusashaveanythingtorelateofourownlivescouldinterweaveitwithourcontributiontotheClock，itwouldbewelltodoso。Thisneedbenorestraintuponus，eitherastotime，orplace，orincident，sinceanyrealpassageofthiskindmaybesurroundedbyfictitiouscircumstances，andrepresentedbyfictitiouscharacters。Whatifwemakethisanarticleofagreementamongourselves？’
　　Thepropositionwascordiallyreceived，butthedifficultyappearedtobethatherewasalongstorywrittenbeforewehadthoughtofit。
　　’Unless，’saidI，’itshouldhavehappenedthatthewriterofthistale—whichisnotimpossible，formenareapttodosowhentheywrite—hasactuallymingledwithitsomethingofhisownenduranceandexperience。’
　　Nobodyspoke，butIthoughtIdetectedinonequarterthatthiswasreallythecase。
　　’IfIhavenoassurancetothecontrary，’Iadded，therefore，’I
　　shalltakeitforgrantedthathehasdoneso，andthateventhesepaperscomewithinournewagreement。Everybodybeingmute，weholdthatunderstandingifyouplease。’
　　AndhereIwasabouttobeginagain，whenJackinformedussoftly，thatduringtheprogressofourlastnarrative，Mr。Weller’sWatchhadadjourneditssittingsfromthekitchen，andregularlymetoutsideourdoor，wherehehadnodoubtthataugustbodywouldbefoundatthepresentmoment。Asthiswasfortheconvenienceoflisteningtoourstories，hesubmittedthattheymightbesufferedtocomein，andhearthemmorepleasantly。
　　Tothisweoneandallyieldedareadyassent，andthepartybeingdiscovered，asJackhadsupposed，andinvitedtowalkin，entered（thoughnotwithoutgreatconfusionathavingbeendetected），andwereaccommodatedwithchairsatalittledistance。
　　Then，thelampbeingtrimmed，thefirewellstirredandburningbrightly，thehearthcleanswept，thecurtainscloselydrawn，theclockwoundup，weenteredonournewstory。
　　Itisagainmidnight。Myfireburnscheerfully;theroomisfilledwithmyoldfriend’ssobervoice;andIamlefttomuseuponthestorywehavejustnowfinished。
　　Itmakesmesmile，atsuchatimeasthis，tothinkiftherewereanyonetoseemesittinginmyeasy—chair，mygrayheadhangingdown，myeyesbentthoughtfullyupontheglowingembers，andmycrutch—emblemofmyhelplessness—lyinguponthehearthatmyfeet，howsolitaryIshouldseem。YetthoughIamthesoletenantofthischimney—corner，thoughIamchildlessandold，Ihavenosenseoflonelinessatthishour;butamthecentreofasilentgroupwhosecompanyIlove。
　　Thus，evenageandweaknesshavetheirconsolations。IfIwereayoungerman，ifIweremoreactive，morestronglyboundandtiedtolife，thesevisionaryfriendswouldshunme，orIshoulddesiretoflyfromthem。BeingwhatIam，Icancourttheirsociety，anddelightinit;andpasswholehoursinpicturingtomyselftheshadowsthatperchanceflockeverynightintothischamber，andinimaginingwithpleasurewhatkindofinteresttheyhaveinthefrail，feeblemortalwhoisitssoleinhabitant。
　　AllthefriendsIhaveeverlostIfindagainamongthesevisitors。
　　Ilovetofancytheirspiritshoveringaboutme，feelingstillsomeearthlykindnessfortheiroldcompanion，andwatchinghisdecay。
　　’Heisweaker，hedeclinesapace，hedrawsnearerandnearertous，andwillsoonbeconsciousofourexistence。’Whatistheretoalarmmeinthis？Itisencouragementandhope。
　　Thesethoughtshavenevercrowdedonmehalfsofastastheyhavedoneto—night。FacesIhadlongforgottenhavebecomefamiliartomeonceagain;traitsIhadendeavouredtorecallforyearshavecomebeforemeinaninstant;nothingischangedbutme;andevenI
　　canbemyformerselfatwill。
　　Raisingmyeyesbutnowtothefaceofmyoldclock，Iremember，quiteinvoluntarily，theveneration，notunmixedwithasortofchildishawe，withwhichIusedtositandwatchitasitticked，unheededinadarkstaircasecorner。IrecollectlookingmoregraveandsteadywhenImetitsdustyface，asif，havingthatstrangekindoflifewithinit，andbeingfreefromallexcessofvulgarappetite，andwarningallthehousebynightandday，itwereasage。HowoftenhaveIlistenedtoitasittoldthebeadsoftime，andwonderedatitsconstancy！Howoftenwatcheditslowlypointingroundthedial，and，whileIpantedfortheeagerlyexpectedhourtocome，admired，despitemyself，itssteadinessofpurposeandloftyfreedomfromallhumanstrife，impatience，anddesire！
　　Ithoughtitcruelonce。Itwasveryhardofheart，tomymind，I
　　remember。Itwasanoldservanteventhen;andIfeltasthoughitoughttoshowsomesorrow;asthoughitwantedsympathywithusinourdistress，andwereadull，heartless，mercenarycreature。Ah！
　　howsoonIlearnttoknowthatinitsceaselessgoingon，andinitsbeingcheckedorstayedbynothing，layitsgreatestkindness，andtheonlybalmforgriefandwoundedpeaceofmind。
　　To—night，to—night，whenthistranquillityandcalmareonmyspirits，andmemorypresentssomanyshiftingscenesbeforeme，I
　　takemyquietstandatwillbymanyafirethathasbeenlongextinguished，andminglewiththecheerfulgroupthatclusterroundit。IfIcouldbesorrowfulinsuchamood，IshouldgrowsadtothinkwhatapoorblotIwasupontheiryouthandbeautyonce，andnowhowfewremaintoputmetotheblush;IshouldgrowsadtothinkthatsuchamongthemasIsometimesmeetwithinmydailywalksarescarcelylessinfirmthanI;thattimehasbroughtustoalevel;andthatalldistinctionsfadeandvanishaswetakeourtremblingstepstowardsthegrave。
　　Butmemorywasgivenusforbetterpurposesthanthis，andmineisnotatorment，butasourceofpleasure。TomuseuponthegaietyandyouthIhaveknownsuggeststomegladscenesofharmlessmirththatmaybepassingnow。Fromcontemplatingthemapart，Isoonbecomeanactorintheselittledramas，andhumouringmyfancy，losemyselfamongthebeingsitinvokes。
　　Whenmyfireisbrightandhigh，andawarmblushmantlesinthewallsandceilingofthisancientroom;whenmyclockmakescheerfulmusic，likeoneofthosechirpinginsectswhodelightinthewarmhearth，andaresometimes，byagoodsuperstition，lookeduponastheharbingersoffortuneandplentytothathouseholdinwhosemerciestheyputtheirhumbletrust;wheneverythingisinaruddygenialglow，andtherearevoicesinthecracklingflame，andsmilesinitsflashinglight，othersmilesandothervoicescongregatearoundme，invading，withtheirpleasantharmony，thesilenceofthetime。
　　Forthenaknotofyouthfulcreaturesgatherroundmyfireside，andtheroomre—echoestotheirmerryvoices。Mysolitarychairnolongerholdsitsampleplacebeforethefire，butiswheeledintoasmallercorner，toleavemoreroomforthebroadcircleformedaboutthecheerfulhearth。Ihavesons，anddaughters，andgrandchildren，andweareassembledonsomeoccasionofrejoicingcommontousall。Itisabirthday，perhaps，orperhapsitmaybeChristmastime;butbeitwhatitmay，thereisrareholidayamongus;wearefullofglee。
　　Inthechimney—comer，oppositemyself，sitsonewhohasgrownoldbesideme。Sheischanged，ofcourse;muchchanged;andyetI
　　recognisethegirleveninthatgrayhairandwrinkledbrow。
　　Glancingfromthelaughingchildwhohalfhidesinherampleskirts，andhalfpeepsout，—andfromhertothelittlematronoftwelveyearsold，whositssowomanlyandsodemureatnogreatdistancefromme，—andfromheragain，toafairgirlinthefullbloomofearlywomanhood，thecentreofthegroup，whohasglancedmorethanoncetowardstheopeningdoor，andbywhomthechildren，whisperingandtitteringamongthemselves，WILLleaveavacantchair，althoughshebidsthemnot，—Iseeherimagethricerepeated，andfeelhowlongitisbeforeoneformandsetoffeatureswhollypassaway，ifever，fromamongtheliving。WhileI
　　amdwellinguponthis，andtracingoutthegradualchangefrominfancytoyouth，fromyouthtoperfectgrowth，fromthattoage，andthinking，withanoldman’spride，thatsheiscomelyyet，I
　　feelaslightthinhanduponmyarm，and，lookingdown，seeseatedatmyfeetacrippledboy，—agentle，patientchild，—whoseaspectIknowwell。Herestsuponalittlecrutch，—Iknowittoo，—andleaningonitasheclimbsmyfootstool，whispersinmyear，’Iamhardlyoneofthese，deargrandfather，althoughIlovethemdearly。Theyareverykindtome，butyouwillbekinderstill，Iknow。’
　　Ihavemyhanduponhisneck，andstooptokisshim，whenmyclockstrikes，mychairisinitsoldspot，andIamalone。
　　WhatifIbe？Whatifthisfiresidebetenantless，saveforthepresenceofoneweakoldman？Frommyhouse—topIcanlookuponahundredhomes，ineveryoneofwhichthesesocialcompanionsaremattersofreality。InmydailywalksIpassathousandmenwhosecaresareallforgotten，whoselaboursaremadelight，whosedullroutineofworkfromdaytodayischeeredandbrightenedbytheirglimpsesofdomesticjoyathome。Amidthestrugglesofthisstrugglingtownwhatcheerfulsacrificesaremade;whattoilenduredwithreadiness;whatpatienceshownandfortitudedisplayedforthemeresakeofhomeanditsaffections！LetmethankHeaventhatIcanpeoplemyfiresidewithshadowssuchasthese;withshadowsofbrightobjectsthatexistincrowdsaboutme;andletmesay，’Iamalonenomore。’
　　Ineverwaslessso—Iwriteitwithagratefulheart—thanIamto—night。Recollectionsofthepastandvisionsofthepresentcometobearmecompany;themeanestmantowhomIhaveevergivenalmsappears，toaddhismiteofpeaceandcomforttomystock;andwheneverthefirewithinmeshallgrowcold，tolightmypathuponthisearthnomore，Ipraythatitmaybeatsuchanhourasthis，andwhenIlovetheworldaswellasIdonow。
　　THEDEAFGENTLEMANFROMHISOWNAPARTMENT
　　Ourdearfriendlaiddownhispenattheendoftheforegoingparagraph，totakeitupnomore。Ilittlethoughtevertoemploymineuponsosorrowfulataskasthatwhichhehasleftme，andtowhichInowdevoteit。
　　Ashedidnotappearamongusathisusualhournextmorning，weknockedgentlyathisdoor。Noanswerbeinggiven，itwassoftlyopened;andthen，tooursurprise，wesawhimseatedbeforetheashesofhisfire，withalittletableIwasaccustomedtosetathiselbowwhenIlefthimforthenightatashortdistancefromhim，asthoughhehadpusheditawaywiththeideaofrisingandretiringtohisbed。Hiscrutchandfootstoollayathisfeetasusual，andhewasdressedinhischamber—gown，whichhehadputonbeforeIlefthim。Hewasreclininginhischair，inhisaccustomedposture，withhisfacetowardsthefire，andseemedabsorbedinmeditation，—indeed，atfirst，wealmosthopedhewas。
　　Goinguptohim，wefoundhimdead。Ihaveoften，veryoften，seenhimsleeping，andalwayspeacefully，butIneversawhimlooksocalmandtranquil。Hisfaceworeaserene，benignexpression，whichhadimpressedmeverystronglywhenwelastshookhands;notthathehadeverhadanyotherlook，Godknows;buttherewassomethinginthissoveryspiritual，sostrangelyandindefinablyalliedtoyouth，althoughhisheadwasgrayandvenerable，thatitwasneweveninhim。Itcameuponmeallatoncewhenonsomeslightpretencehecalledmebackuponthepreviousnighttotakemebythehandagain，andoncemoresay，’Godblessyou。’
　　Abell—ropehungwithinhisreach，buthehadnotmovedtowardsit;
　　norhadhestirred，weallagreed，except，asIhavesaid，topushawayhistable，whichhecouldhavedone，andnodoubtdid，withaveryslightmotionofhishand。Hehadrelapsedforamomentintohislatetrainofmeditation，and，withathoughtfulsmileuponhisface，haddied。
　　Ihadlongknownittobehiswishthatwheneverthiseventshouldcometopasswemightbeallassembledinthehouse。IthereforelostnotimeinsendingforMr。PickwickandforMr。Miles，bothofwhomarrivedbeforethemessenger’sreturn。
　　ItisnotmypurposetodilateuponthesorrowandaffectionateemotionsofwhichIwasatoncethewitnessandthesharer。ButI
　　maysay，ofthehumblermourners，thathisfaithfulhousekeeperwasfairlyheart—broken;thatthepoorbarberwouldnotbecomforted;
　　andthatIshallrespectthehomelytruthandwarmthofheartofMr。Wellerandhissontothelastmomentofmylife。
　　’Andthesweetoldcreetur，sir，’saidtheelderMr。Wellertomeintheafternoon，’hasbolted。Himashadnowice，andwassofreefromtemperthatainfantmightha’drovehim，hasbeentookatlastwiththat’ereunawoidablefito’staggersasweallmustcometo，andgoneoffhisfeedforever！Iseehim，’saidtheoldgentleman，withamoistureinhiseye，whichcouldnotbemistaken，—’Iseehimgettin’，everyjourney，moreandmoregroggy;IsaystoSamivel，"Myboy！theGrey’sa—goin’attheknees;"andnowmypredilictionsisfatallywerified，andhimasIcouldneverdoenoughtoserveorshowmylikin’for，isupthegreatuniwersalspouto’natur’。’
　　Iwasnotthelesssensibleoftheoldman’sattachmentbecauseheexpresseditinhispeculiarmanner。Indeed，Icantrulyassertofbothhimandhisson，thatnotwithstandingtheextraordinarydialoguestheyheldtogether，andthestrangecommentariesandcorrectionswithwhicheachofthemillustratedtheother’sspeech，Idonotthinkitpossibletoexceedthesincerityoftheirregret;
　　andthatIamsuretheirthoughtfulnessandanxietyinanticipatingthedischargeofmanylittleofficesofsympathywouldhavedonehonourtothemostdelicate—mindedpersons。
　　OurfriendhadfrequentlytoldusthathiswillwouldbefoundinaboxintheClock—case，thekeyofwhichwasinhiswriting—desk。
　　Ashehadtoldusalsothathedesiredittobeopenedimmediatelyafterhisdeath，wheneverthatshouldhappen，wemettogetherthatnightforthefulfilmentofhisrequest。
　　Wefounditwherehehadtoldus，wrappedinasealedpaper，andwithitacodicilofrecentdate，inwhichhenamedMr。MilesandMr。Pickwickhisexecutors，—ashavingnoneedofanygreaterbenefitfromhisestatethanageneroustoken（whichhebequeathedtothem）ofhisfriendshipandremembrance。
　　Afterpointingoutthespotinwhichhewishedhisashestorepose，hegaveto’hisdearoldfriends，’JackRedburnandmyself，hishouse，hisbooks，hisfurniture，—inshort，allthathishousecontained;andwiththislegacymoreamplemeansofmaintainingitinitspresentstatethanwe，withourhabitsandatourtermsoflife，caneverexhaust。Besidesthesegifts，helefttous，intrust，anannualsumofnoinsignificantamount，tobedistributedincharityamonghisaccustomedpensioners—theyarealonglist—
　　andsuchotherclaimantsonhisbountyasmight，fromtimetotime，presentthemselves。Andastruecharitynotonlycoversamultitudeofsins，butincludesamultitudeofvirtues，suchasforgiveness，liberalconstruction，gentlenessandmercytothefaultsofothers，andtheremembranceofourownimperfectionsandadvantages，hebadeusnotinquiretoocloselyintothevenialerrorsofthepoor，butfindingthattheyWEREpoor，firsttorelieveandthenendeavour—atanadvantage—toreclaimthem。
　　Tothehousekeeperheleftanannuity，sufficientforhercomfortablemaintenanceandsupportthroughlife。Forthebarber，whohadattendedhimmanyyears，hemadeasimilarprovision。AndImaymaketworemarksinthisplace：first，thatIthinkthispairareverylikelytoclubtheirmeanstogetherandmakeamatchofit;andsecondly，thatIthinkmyfriendhadthisresultinhismind，forIhaveheardhimsay，morethanonce，thathecouldnotconcurwiththegeneralityofmankindincensuringequalmarriagesmadeinlaterlife，sincethereweremanycasesinwhichsuchunionscouldnotfailtobeawiseandrationalsourceofhappinesstobothparties。
　　TheelderMr。Wellerissofarfromviewingthisprospectwithanyfeelingsofjealousy，thatheappearstobeverymuchrelievedbyitscontemplation;andhisson，ifIamnotmistaken，participatesinthisfeeling。Weareallofopinion，however，thattheoldgentleman’sdanger，evenatitscrisis，wasveryslight，andthathemerelylabouredunderoneofthosetransitoryweaknessestowhichpersonsofhistemperamentarenowandthenliable，andwhichbecomelessandlessalarmingateveryreturn，untiltheywhollysubside。Ihavenodoubthewillremainajollyoldwidowerfortherestofhislife，ashehasalreadyinquiredofme，withmuchgravity，whetherawritofhabeascorpuswouldenablehimtosettlehispropertyuponTonybeyondthepossibilityofrecall;andhas，inmypresence，conjuredhisson，withtearsinhiseyes，thatintheeventofhiseverbecomingamorousagain，hewillputhiminastrait—waistcoatuntilthefitispast，anddistinctlyinformtheladythathispropertyis’madeover。’
　　AlthoughIhaveverylittledoubtthatSamwoulddutifullycomplywiththeseinjunctionsinacaseofextremenecessity，andthathewoulddosowithperfectcomposureandcoolness，Idonotapprehendthingswillevercometothatpass，astheoldgentlemanseemsperfectlyhappyinthesocietyofhisson，hisprettydaughter—in—
　　law，andhisgrandchildren，andhassolemnlyannouncedhisdeterminationto’takeartertheold’uninallrespects;’fromwhichIinferthatitishisintentiontoregulatehisconductbythemodelofMr。Pickwick，whowillcertainlysethimtheexampleofasinglelife。
　　IhavedivergedforamomentfromthesubjectwithwhichIsetout，forIknowthatmyfriendwasinterestedintheselittlematters，andIhaveanaturaltendencytolingeruponanytopicthatoccupiedhisthoughtsorgavehimpleasureandamusement。Hisremainingwishesareverybrieflytold。Hedesiredthatwewouldmakehimthefrequentsubjectofourconversation;atthesametime，thatwewouldneverspeakofhimwithanairofgloomorrestraint，butfrankly，andasonewhomwestilllovedandhopedtomeetagain。Hetrustedthattheoldhousewouldwearnoaspectofmourning，butthatitwouldbelivelyandcheerful;andthatwewouldnotremoveorcoveruphispicture，whichhangsinourdining—room，butmakeitourcompanionashehadbeen。Hisownroom，ourplaceofmeeting，remains，athisdesire，initsaccustomedstate;ourseatsareplacedaboutthetableasofold;
　　hiseasy—chair，hisdesk，hiscrutch，hisfootstool，holdtheiraccustomedplaces，andtheclockstandsinitsfamiliarcorner。Wegointothechamberatstatedtimestoseethatallisasitshouldbe，andtotakecarethatthelightandairarenotshutout，foronthatpointheexpressedastrongsolicitude。Butitwashisfancythattheapartmentshouldnotbeinhabited;thatitshouldbereligiouslypreservedinthiscondition，andthatthevoiceofhisoldcompanionshouldbeheardnomore。
　　Myownhistorymaybesummedupinveryfewwords;andeventhoseI
　　shouldhavesparedthereaderbutformyfriend’sallusiontomesometimesince。Ihavenodeepersorrowthanthelossofachild，—anonlydaughter，whoisliving，andwhofledfromherfather’shousebutafewweeksbeforeourfriendandIfirstmet。Ihadneverspokenofthiseventohim，becauseIhavealwayslovedher，andIcouldnotbeartotellhimofhererroruntilIcouldtellhimalsoofhersorrowandregret。HappilyIwasenabledtodososometimeago。Anditwillnotbelong，withHeaven’sleave，beforesheisrestoredtome;beforeIfindinherandherhusbandthesupportofmydecliningyears。
　　Formypipe，itisanoldrelicofhome，athingofnogreatworth，apoortrifle，butsacredtomeforhersake。
　　Thus，sincethedeathofourvenerablefriend，JackRedburnandI
　　havebeenthesoletenantsoftheoldhouse;and，daybyday，haveloungedtogetherinhisfavouritewalks。Mindfulofhisinjunctions，wehavelongbeenabletospeakofhimwitheaseandcheerfulness，andtorememberhimashewouldberemembered。FromcertainallusionswhichJackhasdropped，tohishavingbeendesertedandcastoffinearlylife，IaminclinedtobelievethatsomepassagesofhisyouthmaypossiblybeshadowedoutinthehistoryofMr。Chesterandhisson，butseeingthatheavoidsthesubject，Ihavenotpursuedit。
　　Mytaskisdone。Thechamberinwhichwehavewhiledawaysomanyhours，not，Ihope，withoutsomepleasureandsomeprofit，isdeserted;ourhappyhourofmeetingstrikesnomore;thechimney—
　　cornerhasgrowncold;andMASTERHUMPHREY’SCLOCKhasstoppedforever。

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