 assuring Mrs. Chick, that »nothing could
exceed her interest in all connected with the development of that sweet child;«
and an observer of Miss Tox's proceedings might have inferred so much without
declaratory confirmation. She would preside over the innocent repasts of the
young heir, with ineffable satisfaction, almost with an air of joint
proprietorship with Richards in the entertainment. At the little ceremonies of
the bath and toilette, she assisted with enthusiasm. The administration of
infantine doses of physic awakened all the active sympathy of her character; and
being on one occasion secreted in a cupboard (whither she had fled in modesty),
when Mr. Dombey was introduced into the nursery by his sister, to behold his
son, in the course of preparation for bed, taking a short walk uphill over
Richards's gown, in a short and airy linen jacket, Miss Tox was so transported
beyond the ignorant present as to be unable to refrain from crying out, »Is he
not beautiful, Mr. Dombey! Is he not a Cupid, Sir!« and then almost sinking
behind the closet door with confusion and blushes.
    »Louisa,« said Mr. Dombey, one day, to his sister, »I really think I must
present your friend with some little token, on the occasion of Paul's
christening. She has exerted herself so warmly in the child's behalf from the
first, and seems to understand her position so thoroughly (a very rare merit in
this world, I am sorry to say), that it would really be agreeable to me to
notice her.«
    Let it be no detraction from the merits of Miss Tox, to hint that in Mr.
Dombey's eyes, as in some others that occasionally see the light, they only
achieved that mighty piece of knowledge, the understanding of their own
position, who showed a fitting reverence for his. It was not so much their merit
that they knew themselves, as that they knew him, and bowed low before him.
    »My dear Paul,« returned his sister, »you do Miss Tox but justice, as a man
of your penetration was sure, I knew, to do. I believe if there are three words
in the English language for which she has a respect amounting almost to
veneration, those words are, Dombey and Son.«
    »Well,« said Mr. Dombey, »I believe it. It does Miss Tox credit.«
    »And as to anything in the shape of a token, my dear Paul,« pursued his
sister, »all I can say
