 said Sleary.
    »O my dear father, my good kind father, where are you gone? You are gone to
try to do me some good, I know! You are gone away for my sake, I am sure! And
how miserable and helpless you will be without me, poor, poor father, until you
come back!« It was so pathetic to hear her saying many things of this kind, with
her face turned upward, and her arms stretched out as if she were trying to stop
his departing shadow and embrace it, that no one spoke a word until Mr.
Bounderby (growing impatient) took the case in hand.
    »Now, good people all,« said he, »this is wanton waste of time. Let the girl
understand the fact. Let her take it from me, if you like, who have been run
away from, myself. Here, what's your name! Your father has absconded - deserted
you - and you mustn't expect to see him again as long as you live.«
    They cared so little for plain Fact, these people, and were in that advanced
state of degeneracy on the subject, that instead of being impressed by the
speaker's strong common sense, they took it in extraordinary dudgeon. The men
muttered »Shame!« and the women »Brute!« and Sleary, in some haste, communicated
the following hint, apart to Mr. Bounderby.
    »I tell you what, Thquire. To thpeak plain to you, my opinion ith that you
had better cut it thort, and drop it. They're a very good natur'd people, my
people, but they're accuthtomed to be quick in their movementh; and if you don't
act upon my advithe, I'm damned if I don't believe they'll pith you out o'
winder.«
    Mr. Bounderby being restrained by this mild suggestion, Mr. Gradgrind found
an opening for his eminently practical exposition of the subject.
    »It is of no moment,« said he, »whether this person is to be expected back
at any time, or the contrary. He is gone away, and there is no present
expectation of his return. That, I believe, is agreed on all hands.«
    »Thath agreed, Thquire. Thick to that!« From Sleary.
    »Well then. I, who came here to inform the father of the poor girl, Jupe,
that she could not be received at the school any more, in consequence of there
being practical
