 turning
into a »Hem!« The veal had come from such an airy pantry, that the first taste
of it had struck a sensation as of cold lead to Mr. Chick's extremities. Mr.
Dombey alone remained unmoved. He might have been hung up for sale at a Russian
fair as a specimen of a frozen gentleman.
    The prevailing influence was too much even for his sister. She made no
effort at flattery or small talk, and directed all her efforts to looking as
warm as she could.
    »Well, Sir,« said Mr. Chick, making a desperate plunge, after a long
silence, and filling a glass of sherry; »I shall drink this, if you'll allow me,
Sir, to little Paul.«
    »Bless him!« murmured Miss Tox, taking a sip of wine.
    »Dear little Dombey!« murmured Mrs. Chick.
    »Mr. John,« said Mr. Dombey, with severe gravity, »my son would feel and
express himself obliged to you, I have no doubt, if he could appreciate the
favour you have done him. He will prove, in time to come, I trust, equal to any
responsibility that the obliging disposition of his relations and friends, in
private, or the onerous nature of our position, in public, may impose upon him.«
    The tone in which this was said admitting of nothing more, Mr. Chick
relapsed into low spirits and silence. Not so Miss Tox, who, having listened to
Mr. Dombey with even a more emphatic attention than usual, and with a more
expressive tendency of her head to one side, now leant across the table, and
said to Mrs. Chick softly:
    »Louisa!«
    »My dear,« said Mrs. Chick.
    »Onerous nature of our position in public may - I have forgotten the exact
term.«
    »Expose him to,« said Mrs. Chick.
    »Pardon me, my dear,« returned Miss Tox, »I think not. It was more rounded
and flowing. Obliging disposition of relations and friends in private, or
onerous nature of position in public - may - impose upon him!«
    »Impose upon him, to be sure,« said Mrs. Chick.
    Miss Tox struck her delicate hands together lightly, in triumph; and added,
casting up her eyes, »eloquence indeed!«
    Mr. Dombey, in the meanwhile, had issued orders for the attendance of
Richards, who now entered curtseying, but without the baby; Paul being asleep
after the fatigues of the
