Bleak House

and the fresh air,wondering more and more at the extent of the streets, thebrilliancy of the shops, the great tr

-yards, milestones,farmers' waggons, scents of old hay, swinging signs, and horsetroughs: trees, fields, and hedge-rows. It was delightful to seethe green landscape before us and the immense metropolis behind;and whe

my name-sake Whittington,"said Richard, "an

edas the horses came to a stand, and subsided to a gentle tinkling,except when a hor

was at our coach-door. "Why, here's an extraordinarything!" added Richard, looking closely at the man. "He has gotyour name, Ada, in h

hard's inquiry from whomthey came, he briefly answered, "Master, sir, if you please"; andputting on his

s waggon?" said Richard,

ened the notes. Each was a counterpart of the oth

de. I therefore have to propose that wemeet as old friends and take the past for gra

ewho had been my benefactor and sole earthly dependence through somany years. I had not considered how I could thank him, mygratitude lying t

y came by it, that theircousin Jarndyce could never bear acknowledgments for any kindnesshe performed and th

scaped by the back gate, and was not heard of forthree months. This discourse led to a great deal more on the sametheme, and indeed it lasted us all day, and we talked of scarcelyanything else. If we did by any chance diverge into anothersubject, we soon returned to

got to the top. At Barnet there were other horses waitingfor us, but as they had only just been fed, we had to wait for themtoo, and got a long fresh walk over a common and an old battle-field befo

he town, round a corner, and Richard told us that the post-boy,who had for a long time sympathized with our heightenedexpectation, was looking back and nodding, we both stood up in thecarriage (Richard holding Ada lest she should be jolted down) andgazed round upon the open country and the starlight night for ourdest

to be an old-fashioned house with three peaks in theroof in front and a circular sweep leading to the porch. A bellwas rung as we drew up, and amidst the sound of its deep voice inthe still air, and the di

ou!"The gentleman who said these words in a clear, bright, hospitablevoice had one of his arms round Ada's waist and the other roun

de by side on a sofa ready drawn out near the hearth. I feltthat if

t liberty. A word inearnest is as good a

and only saying (though with an earnestnessthat rather alarmed me, I was so afraid of Mr. Jarndyce's suddenlydisappea

And how did you like Mrs. Jellyby,

ty, and robust. From the moment of his first speakingto us his voice had connected itself with an association in my mindthat I could not define; but now, all at once, a something suddenin his manner and a pleasant expression in his eyes recalled thegentleman in the stagec

remained where he was, and asked

lf very much for Af

thing else, I see.""We rather thought," said I, glancing at Richard and Ada, whoentreated me with the

ather ala

; and that, perhaps, whilethose are overlooked and neglected, no other duties can possibly besubstituted for them.""The little Jellybys," said Richard, coming to my relief, "arereally--I can't

er in the east or going to be. I am always consciousof an uncomfortable sensation

the little Jell--I had my doubts about 'em--are in

other, with a good-natured vexationat once so whimsical and so lovable that I am sure we were moredelighted with him than we could possibly have expresse

, if it hadrained sugar-plums, or three-cornered raspbe

in--" Ada h

ousin John, perhaps, isbetter.""Then, co

eir friend directly. Esther nursed them, coaxed themto sleep, washed and dressed them, told them stories, kept themquiet, bought them keepsakes"--My dear girl! I had only gone outwith Peepy after he was found and given him a little, tiny horse!--"and, cousin John, she softened poor Caroline, the eldest one, somuch and was so thoughtful for me a

the wind was, Rick?

ssing through them. Mine,which we entered first, was of this kind, with an up-and-down roofthat had more corners in it than I ever counted afterwards and achimney (there was a wood fire on the hearth) paved all around withpure white tiles, in every one of which a bright miniature of thefire was blazing. Out of this room, you went down two steps into acharming little sitting-room looking down upon a flower-garden,which room was henceforth to belong to Ada and me. Out of this youwent up three

from India nobody knew by whom or when. From theseyou came on Richard's room, which was part library, part sitting-room, part bedroom, and seemed indeed a comfortable compound ofmany rooms. Out of that you went straight, with a little intervalof passage, to the plain room where Mr. Jarndyce slept, all theyear round, with his window open, his bedstead without anyfurniture standing in the middle of the floor for more air, and hiscold bath gaping for him in a smaller

which stood, each attended by a little page ofa stool for greater state, on either side of the fire-place. Oursitting-room was green and had framed and glazed upon the wallsnumbers of surprising and surprised birds, s

, of QueenAnne's reign, taking a complacent gentleman to heaven, in festoons,with some difficulty; and a composition in needlework representingfruit, a kettle, and an alphabet. All the movables, from thewardrobes to the chairs and tables, hangings, glasses, even to thepincushions and scent-bottles on the dressing-tables, displayed thesame quaint variety. They agreed in nothing but their perfectneatness, their display of the whitest linen, and their storing-up,wheresoever the existence of a drawer, s

ons, butit is a comfortable little place, I hope, and will be more so withsuch bright young looks in it. You have barely ha

is at least as old as I am--butin simplicity, and freshness, and enthusiasm, and a fine guileless

but might have been a professional. He is a manof attainments and of captivating manners. He has been unfortunatein his affairs, and unfortunate in

dozen. More! Nearer a

could he? He wantedsomebody to look afte

arn

ooked after themselves at

the very poorare not brought up, but dragged up. Harold Skimpole's childrenhave tumbled up somehow or other. The wind

id Mr. Jarndyce. "No

hand, I was dressed ina few minutes and engaged in putting my worldly goods away when amaid (not the one in attendance

ss, if you ple

me?"

d the little bunch is thecellars, miss. Any time you was pleased to appoint tomorrowmorning, I was to show you the presses and things they belong to."I said I would be ready at half-past six, and after she was gone,stood looking at the basket, quite lost in the magnitude of mytrust.

such a captivating gaietythat it was fascinating to hear him talk. Being of a more slenderfigure than Mr. Jarndyce and having a richer complexion, withbrowner hair, he looked younger. Indeed, he had more theappearance in all respects of a damaged young man than a well-preserved elderly one. There was an easy negligence in his mannerand even in his dress (his hair

mere child in pointof weights and measures and had never known anything about them(except that they disgusted him), he had never been able toprescribe with the requisite accuracy of detail. In fact, he said,he had no head for detail

t, objecting to this

hewas! He was very fond of reading the papers, very fond of makingfancy-sketches with a pencil, very fond of nature, very fond ofart. All he asked of society was to let him live. THAT wasn'tmuch. His wants were few. Give him the papers, conversation,music, mutton, coffee, landscape, fruit in the season, a few sheetsof Bristol-board, and a little claret, and he asked no more. Hewas a mere child in the world, but he didn't cry for the moon. Hesaid to the world, "Go your several ways in peace! Wear red coats,blue coats, lawn sleeves; put pens behind your ears, wear aprons;go after glory, holiness, commerce, trade, any object you prefer;only--let Harold Skimpole live!"All this and a great deal more he to

said Mr. Skimpole i

an't cheat me. We have been mentioning Mrs. Jellyby. There isa bright-eyed woman, of a strong will and immense power of businessdetail, who throws herself into objects with surprising ardour! Idon't regret that I have not a strong will and an immense power ofbusiness detail to throw myself into objects with surprisinga

world, anagglomeration of practical people of business habits, to let himlive and admire the human family, do it somehow or other, like goodsouls, and suffer him to ride his rocking-horse!

generous creatures,

us, his new friends,

of increasing your stock of happiness. Imay have been born to be a benefactor to you by sometimes givingyou an opportunity of assisting me in my little perplexities. Whyshould I regret my incapacity for details and worldly affairs whenit leads to such pleasant consequences? I don't regret ittherefore."Of all his playful speeches (playful,

thefirst time, should he so unreserved and should lay himself out tobe so exquisitely agreeable. They (and especially Richard) wer

of lightly tossing his own weaknesses about, as if hehad said, "I am a child, you know! You are designing peoplecompared with me" (he really m

lone. In the evening, when I was preparing to make tea and Adawas touching the piano in the adjoining room and softly humming atune to he

ing. The birds here will mistake her for it. We willnot call such a lovely young creature as that, who is a joy to allmankind, an orphan. S

r an indifferent parent, Iam afraid.""Oh! I

do know," sai

), and I know nothing of it, so you shall haveyour way. But if I had mine," glancing

nreally a child, and passing a step or two on, and stopping amoment, glanced at the young cousins. His look was thoughtful, buthad a benignant expression in it which I often (how often!) sawagain, which has long been engraven on my heart. The room in whichthey were, communicating with th

so low that the wind,sighing away to the

clue afforded to it by thevoice of the pr

First, I was not quite unconscious of thecontrast in respect of meaning and intention

elt as if in that moment he confided to me--and knew that he confided to me and that I recei

t she seemed to know all the songs that everwere written--and Mr. Jarndyce, and I were the audience. After alittle while I missed first Mr. Skimpole and afterwards Richard,and while I was thinking how could Richard stay away so long andlose so much, the maid who had given me the key

s. Sudden,"

andcollected myself, as I followed her quickly upstairs, sufficientlyto consider what were the best remedies to be applied if it

, while Richard,with a face of great embarrassment, looked at a person on the sofa,in a white great-coat, with smoo

id Richard hurriedly,

e candour, "I never was in a situation in which thatexcellent sense and quiet habit of method and usefulness, whichanybody must observe in you who has the happiness of be

or much, sir?" I inqu

t's twenty-four pound, sixteen, and sevenpence ha'penny,"observed the stranger. "That's wot it is.""And it sounds--somehow it sounds," said Mr. Skimp

r. Skimpole, smiling. "Though I forgot howmuch it was and when it was. Jarndyce would readily do it again,but I have the epicure-like feeling that I would prefer a noveltyin help, tha

y, before replying, what wouldhap

t. "Or Coavinses.""May I ask, sir, what is--""Coavinses?" said the strange man. "A 'ouse."Richard and I looked

ayventure on such a contradiction, nothing selfish in it. He hade

Mr. Richard or his beautiful cousin, orboth, could sign something, or make over something, or give somesort of undertaking, or pledge, or bond? I don't know

ur temper!" Mr. Skimpolegently reasoned with him as he made a little drawing of his head onthe fly-leaf of a book. "Don't be ruffled by your occupation. Wecan separate you from your office; we can separate the

ort, whether inacceptance of the poetry-tribute or i

ummerson, and my dear

merson," said Richard in a whisper, "I have tenpounds that I received from Mr. Kenge. I must try what that willdo."I possessed fifteen pounds, odd shillings, which I had saved frommy quarterly allowance during several years. I had always thoughtthat some accident might happen which would throw me suddenly,without any relation or

s, as ifpersonal considerations were impossible with him and thecontemplation of our happiness alone affected him. Richard,begging me, for the greater grace of the transaction,

one and settled with the stranger in the whitecoat without making any mistakes. He put t

was half finished, "I shouldlike to ask you something, without offence."I think the reply was, "Cut a

y aft'noon at tea-t

ssed to-morrow. A day makes no such odds.""But when you came down here," proceeded Mr. Skimpole, "it was afine day. The sun was shining, the wind wa

growled Coavinses with an appearance of strongresentment. "Think! I've got enough to d

ters in Nature's greatcathedral. And does it seem to me that I am about to depriveHarold Skimpole of his share in such possessions, which are hisonly birthright!' You thought nothing to that effect?""I--certainly--did--NOT," said Coavinses

ocess is, in you men ofbusiness!" said Mr.

irstlesson in backgammon from Mr. Jarndyce, who was very fond of thegame and from whom I wished of course to learn it as quickly as Icould in order that I might be of the very small use of being ableto play when he had no better adversary. But I thought,occasionally, when Mr. Skimpole played some fragments of his o

a fewhours from night, my dear! It was past twelve before he took hiscandle and his radiant face out of the room, and I think he mighthave kept us there, if he had seen fit, until daybreak.

"What's thisthey tell me? Rick, my boy, Esther, my dear, what have you beendoing? Why did you do it? How could you do

Whydid you? How could you? Oh, Lord, yes, it's due east--must be!""Really, sir," said Richard, "I don't think it would be

his head a great ru

hen his mother was confined was 'On Tuesday last,at her residence in Botheration Buildings, Mrs. Skimpole of a sonin difficulties.'"Richard laughed heartily but added, "Still, sir, I don't want toshake his confidence or to break his confidence, and if I submit toyour better knowledge again,

o get hold of you and Esther--andto squeeze you like a couple of tender young Saint Michael'soranges! It'll blow a gale in the course of the night!"He was now alter

Mr. Skimpole,being in all such matters quite a child--

d Mr. Jarndyce, brightening. "Your woman's withits the mark. He is a child--an absolute child.

isn't he?" asked Mr. Jarndy

indeed,

gns or plans, or knowledge of consequences! Ha,ha, ha!"It was so delicious to see the clouds about his bright faceclearing, and to see him so heartily pleased, and to know, as itwas impossible not to know, tha

ld frombeginning to end. Nobody but a child would have thought ofsingling YOU two out for parties in the affair! Nobody but a

th his whole

ed it from our n

om his inexperience--I must have a promise allround that nothing of this sort shall ever be done any more. Noadvances! Not even sixpences."We

child's sleep bythis time, I suppose; it's time I should take my craftier head tomy more worldly pillow. Good night, my dears. God bless you!"He peeped in again, with a smiling face,

conceal, rather than he would blame the real cause of it ordisparage or depreciate any one. We thought this verycharacteristic of his eccentric gentleness and of the differencebetween him and

dy began to understandhim through that mingled feeling. Any seeming inconsistencies inMr. Skimpole or in M

d not consent to be all unselfish, either, though I would havepersuaded it to be so if I could. It wandered back to mygodmother's house and came along the intervening track, raising upshadowy speculatio

asnot for me to muse over bygones, but to act with a cheerful spiri

housekeeping keys sucha shake that they sounded