 the least, was when the clergyman, in delivering (very unaffectedly and
simply) the closing exhortation, relative to the future examination of the child
by the sponsors, happened to rest his eye on Mr. Chick; and then Mr. Dombey
might have been seen to express by a majestic look, that he would like to catch
him at it.
    It might have been well for Mr. Dombey, if he had thought of his own dignity
a little less; and had thought of the great origin and purpose of the ceremony
in which he took so formal and so stiff a part, a little more. His arrogance
contrasted strangely with its history.
    When it was all over, he again gave his arm to Miss Tox, and conducted her
to the vestry, where he informed the clergyman how much pleasure it would have
given him to have solicited the honour of his company at dinner, but for the
unfortunate state of his household affairs. The register signed, and the fees
paid, and the pew-opener (whose cough was very bad again) remembered, and the
beadle gratified, and the sexton (who was accidentally on the door-steps,
looking with great interest at the weather) not forgotten, they got into the
carriage again, and drove home in the same bleak fellowship.
    There they found Mr. Pitt turning up his nose at a cold collation, set forth
in a cold pomp of glass and silver, and looking more like a dead dinner lying in
state than a social refreshment. On their arrival, Miss Tox produced a mug for
her godson, and Mr. Chick a knife and fork and spoon in a case. Mr. Dombey also
produced a bracelet for Miss Tox; and, on the receipt of this token, Miss Tox
was tenderly affected.
    »Mr. John,« said Mr. Dombey, »will you take the bottom of the table, if you
please? What have you got there, Mr. John?«
    »I have got a cold fillet of veal here, Sir,« replied Mr. Chick, rubbing his
numbed hands hard together. »What have you got there, Sir?«
    »This,« returned Mr. Dombey, »is some cold preparation of calf's head, I
think. I see cold fowls - ham - patties - salad - lobster. Miss Tox will do me
the honour of taking some wine? Champagne to Miss Tox.«
    There was a toothache in everything. The wine was so bitter cold that it
forced a little scream from Miss Tox, which she had great difficulty in
