Hard Times

ishment now. In boastful proof of his promptitude and activity, as a remarkable man, and a self-made man, and a commercial wonder more admira

usual display of bustle, and every day made such a rout in renewing his investigations into

ally did suppose it to have been abandoned as hopeless, nothing new occurred. No implicated man or woman took untimely courage, or mad

phen Blackpool, suspected of complicity in the robbery of Coketown Bank on such a night; he described the said Stephen Blackpool by dress, complexion, estimated height, and manner, as minutely as he could; he recited how he had left the town, and in what

eople, as they listened to the friendly voice that read aloud-there was always some such ready to help them-stared at the characters which meant so much with a vague awe and respect that would have been half ludicrous, if any aspect of public ignorance could ever be otherwise than th

isters too, what do you say, now, of Stephen Blackpool, with a slight stoop in his shoulders and about five foot seven in height, as set forth in this degrading and disgusting document, this blighting bill, this pernicious placard, this abominable advertisement; and with what majesty of denouncement will you crush the viper, who would bring this stain and shame upon the God-like race that happily has cast him out for ever! Yes, my compatriots, happily cast him out and sent him forth! For you remember how he stood here before you on this platform; you remember how, face to face and foot to foot, I pursued him through all his intricate windings; you remember how he sneaked and slunk, and sidled, and splitted of straws, until, with not an inch of ground to which to cling, I hurled him out from amongst us: an object for the undying finger of scorn to point at, and for the avenging fire of every free and thinking mind to scorch and scar! And now, my friends-my labouring friends, for I rejoice and triumph in t

ies of 'Hear, hear!' the caution from one man, 'Slackbridge, y'or over hetter in't; y'or a goen too fast!' But these were pigmies against an army;

quietly to their homes, when Sissy, who had been ca

it?' ask

me, 'and your brother Mr. Tom, and a young woman w

hey want,

. Rachael has been cr

cannot refuse to see them, for a reason that

em. She reappeared with them directly. Tom was last; and remai

a young woman who has been making statements which render my visit necessary. Tom Gradgrind, as your son, young Tom, refuses for some

e, young lady,' said Rachael

coug

,' repeated Rachael, as she d

ughed

hav

Bounderby, and said, 'Will you make it kno

rom his work, and I saw you there. He was there too; and an old woman who did not sp

ay so, young Tom?'

besides,' said the whelp bitterly, 'she tells her own story so preciou

sued Rachael, 'why, in an evil hour,

our deepening, 'and I wished to know what he was

aid Bounderby. 'Much

im,' asked Racha

it, and would only ta

eyes towards Mr

stion whether your ridiculous and improbable account

and where else! There have been a meeting to-night where he have been spoken of in the same shameful way. S

very sorry,'

us, don't belong to us. I am not sure why you may ha' come that night. I can't tell but what you may ha' come wi' some aim of your own, not mindin to what trouble you

njust suspicions; she was so faithful t

ood to him-when I mind that he put his hand over his hard-worken face to hide the tears that you brough

orner, 'to come here with these precious imputations! You ought to be bundl

ow weeping was the only sound that w

have engaged to do. You had better

to the Bank to say I knew where Stephen was, and to give a sure and certain promise that he should be here in two days. I couldn't meet wi' Mr. Bounderby then, and your brother sent me away, and I tried to find you, but you was not to be found, and I went back to work. Soon as

ou people before to-day, you'll observe, and I know you never die for want of talking. Now, I recommend you not so much

rnoon, as I have written to him once before sin' he went away,

e from suspicion in this business, on account of most people being judged according to the company they keep. The post-office hasn't been forgotten either. What I'll tell

ingly to Louisa, 'as much as a week, when he sent me the only letter I ha

does he! That's rather unlucky, too, for such an immaculate chap. It's considered a little

t him on one hand, the men against him on the other, he only wantin to work hard in peace, and do what he felt right. Can a man have no soul of

my heart,' returned Louisa; 'and

fear of that, youn

id Mr. Bounderby, 'for your re

clear himself, and put all those that have injured his good character, and he not here for its defence, to shame. I have told him what has b

ing himself. As to you, I have nothing against you; what you came and told me turns out to be true, and I have given you the means

d went away with him. The only parting salutation of which he delivered himself was a sulk

Gradgrind had been sparing of speech. He

distrust me one day, wh

sted-when we all are-I cannot keep such things quite out of my mind. I ask your pardon for having done you

ave fallen upon him, because he had been seen about the Bank at night? He woul

ever taken him there. He never used to go there. It was neve

ere she lived, and whether she might come to-mor

hael, 'if he can be

me next night t

as gone, Mr. Gradgrind lifted up h

hat I know of, seen this man. Do

ather, though with great diffi

believe it, from knowing him to be suspected.

y ho

' said Mr. Gradgrind, musing, 'does the real culpri

d, Louisa, with a face of fear and pity, hurriedly went over to him, and sat close at his side. Her eye

ith the same account, and added that he had not been heard of, she spoke in the same low frightened tone. From the moment of that interchange of

unabated confidence, but considering her despatch to have miscarried, went up to the Bank, and showed her letter from him with his address, at a working colo

it his nails down to the quick, spoke in a hard rattling voice, and with lips that were black and burnt up. At the hour when the suspected man was looked for,

Blackpool had decamped in that same hour; and no soul knew more of him. The only doubt in Coketown was, whether Rachael ha

ghastly courage, and began to grow defiant. 'Was the suspected fellow the thie

the echoes of his own words, which had rolled Heaven knows how far a