 is. The very fact
that makes him an extreme case, puts him out of the whole chapter! Well?«
    »Apart from that, which, as you hint, gives me a reason to be thankful that
I alone (happily for all the rest) possess, surely there is no one in the House
who would not say and feel at least as much. You do not think that anybody here
would be indifferent to a mischance or misfortune happening to the head of the
House, or anything than truly sorry for it?«
    »You have good reason to be bound to him too!« said the Manager,
contemptuously. »Why, don't you believe that you are kept here as a cheap
example, and a famous instance of the clemency of Dombey and Son, redounding to
the credit of the illustrious House?«
    »No,« replied his brother, mildly, »I have long believed that I am kept here
for more kind and disinterested reasons.«
    »But you were going,« said the Manager, with the snarl of a tiger-cat, »to
recite some Christian precept, I observed.«
    »Nay, James,« returned the other, »though the tie of brotherhood between us
has been long broken and thrown away -«
    »Who broke it, good Sir?« said the Manager.
    »I, by my misconduct. I do not charge it upon you.«
    The Manager replied, with that mute action of his bristling mouth, »Oh, you
don't charge it upon me!« and bade him go on.
    »I say, though there is not that tie between us, do not, I entreat, assail
me with unnecessary taunts, or misinterpret what I say, or would say. I was only
going to suggest to you that it would be a mistake to suppose that it is only
you, who have been selected here, above all others, for advancement, confidence
and distinction (selected, in the beginning, I know, for your great ability and
trustfulness), and who communicate more freely with Mr. Dombey than any one, and
stand, it may be said, on equal terms with him, and have been favoured and
enriched by him - that it would be a mistake to suppose that it is only you who
are tender of his welfare and reputation. There is no one in the House, from
yourself down to the lowest, I sincerely believe, who does not participate in
that feeling.«
    »You lie!« said the Manager, red with sudden anger
