
with this general injunction to choose their pursuit.
    In truth, Mrs. Gradgrind's stock of facts in general was woefully defective;
but Mr. Gradgrind in raising her to her high matrimonial position, had been
influenced by two reasons. Firstly, she was most satisfactory as a question of
figures; and, secondly, she had no nonsense about her. By nonsense he meant
fancy; and truly it is probable she was as free from any alloy of that nature,
as any human being not arrived at the perfection of an absolute idiot, ever was.
    The simple circumstance of being left alone with her husband and Mr.
Bounderby, was sufficient to stun this admirable lady again without collision
between herself and any other fact. So, she once more died away, and nobody
minded her.
    »Bounderby,« said Mr. Gradgrind, drawing a chair to the fireside, »you are
always so interested in my young people - particularly in Louisa - that I make
no apology for saying to you, I am very much vexed by this discovery. I have
systematically devoted myself (as you know) to the education of the reason of my
family. The reason is (as you know) the only faculty to which education should
be addressed. And yet, Bounderby, it would appear from this unexpected
circumstance of to-day, though in itself a trifling one, as if something had
crept into Thomas's and Louisa's minds which is - or rather, which is not - I
don't know that I can express myself better than by saying - which has never
been intended to be developed, and in which their reason has no part.«
    »There certainly is no reason in looking with interest at a parcel of
vagabonds,« returned Bounderby. »When I was a vagabond myself, nobody looked
with any interest at me; I know that.«
    »Then comes the question,« said the eminently practical father, with his
eyes on the fire, »in what has this vulgar curiosity its rise?«
    »I'll tell you in what. In idle imagination.«
    »I hope not,« said the eminently practical; »I confess, however, that the
misgiving has crossed me on my way home.«
    »In idle imagination, Gradgrind,« repeated Bounderby. »A very bad thing for
anybody, but a cursed bad thing for a girl like Louisa. I should ask Mrs.
Gradgrind's pardon for strong expressions, but that she knows very well I am not
a refined character. Whoever expects refinement in me will
