CHARLES DICKENS DOMBEY AND SON CHAPTER I Dombey and ...

yours, and who I am, and what I am going to do for him.'
This Mr. Carker did, in his own way; saying that he at first intended to
have accumulated nameless terrors on his presumptuous head, for coming to
the whereabout of Dombey and Son. That he had relented, in consideration of
his youth, his professed contribution, and his friends. That he was afraid
he took a rash step in doing anything for the boy, and one that might expose
him to the censure of the prudent; but that he did it of himself and for
himself, and risked the consequences single-handed; and that his mother's
past connection with Mr. Dombey's family had nothing to do with it, and that
Mr. Dombey had nothing to do with it, but that he, Mr. Carker, was the
be-all and the end-all of this business. Taking great credit to himself for
his goodness, and receiving no less from all the family then present, Mr.
Carker signified, indirectly but still pretty plainly, that Rob's implicit
fidelity, attachment, and devotion, were for evermore his due, and the least
homage he could receive. And with this great truth Rob himself was so
impressed, that standing gazing on his patron with tears rolling down his
cheeks, he nodded his shiny head until it seemed almost as loose as it had
done under the same patron's hands that morning.
Polly, who had passed Heaven knows how many sleepless nights on account of
this her dissipated firstborn, and had not seen him for weeks and weeks,
could have almost kneeled to Mr. Carker the Manager, as to a Good Spirit--in
spite of his teeth. But Mr. Carker rising to depart, she only thanked him
with her mother's prayers and blessings; thanks so rich when paid out of the
Heart's mint, especially for any service Mr. Carker had rendered, that he
might have given back a large amount of change, and yet been overpaid.
As that gentleman made his way among the crowding children to the door, Rob
retreated on his mother, and took her and the baby in the same repentant
hug.
'I'll try hard, dear mother, now. Upon my soul I will!' said Rob.
'Oh do, my dear boy! I am sure you will, for our sakes and your own!' cried
Polly, kissing him. 'But you're coming back to speak to me, when you have