MissPupford’sassistantwiththeParisianaccent，mayberegardedasinsomesortaninspiredlady，forsheneverconversedwithaParisian，andwasneveroutofEngland——exceptonceinthepleasure—
boatLively，intheforeignwatersthatebbandflowtwomilesoffMargateathighwater。EvenunderthosegeographicallyfavourablecircumstancesfortheacquisitionoftheFrenchlanguageinitsutmostpolitenessandpurity，MissPupford’sassistantdidnotfullyprofitbytheopportunity；forthepleasure—boat，Lively，sostronglyasserteditstitletoitsnameonthatoccasion，thatshewasreducedtotheconditionoflyinginthebottomoftheboatpicklinginbrine——asifshewerebeingsalteddownfortheuseoftheNavy——undergoingatthesametimegreatmentalalarm，corporealdistress，andclear—starchingderangement。
WhenMissPupfordandherassistantfirstforegathered，isnotknowntomen，orpupils。But，itwaslongago。Abeliefwouldhaveestablisheditselfamongpupilsthatthetwooncewenttoschooltogether，wereitnotforthedifficultyandaudacityofimaginingMissPupfordbornwithoutmittens，andwithoutafront，andwithoutabitofgoldwireamongherfrontteeth，andwithoutlittledabsofpowderonherneatlittlefaceandnose。Indeed，wheneverMissPupfordgivesalittlelectureonthemythologyofthemisguidedheathens（alwayscarefullyexcludingCupidfromrecognition），andtellshowMinervasprang，perfectlyequipped，fromthebrainofJupiter，sheishalfsupposedtohint，\"SoImyselfcameintotheworld，completelyupinPinnock，Mangnall，Tables，andtheuseoftheGlobes。\"
Howbeit，MissPupfordandMissPupford’sassistantareoldoldfriends。Anditisthoughtbypupilsthat，afterpupilsaregonetobed，theyevencalloneanotherbytheirchristiannamesinthequietlittleparlour。For，onceuponatimeonathunderousafternoon，whenMissPupfordfaintedawaywithoutnotice，MissPupford’sassistant（neverheard，beforeorsince，toaddressherotherwisethanasMissPupford）rantoher，cryingout，\"MydearestEuphemia！\"AndEuphemiaisMissPupford’schristiannameonthesampler（datepickedout）hangingupintheCollege—hall，wherethetwopeacocks，terrifiedtodeathbysomeGermantextthatiswaddlingdown—hillafterthemoutofacottage，arescuttlingawaytohidetheirprofilesintwoimmensebean—stalksgrowingoutofflower—pots。
Also，thereisanotionlatentamongpupils，thatMissPupfordwasonceinlove，andthatthebelovedobjectstillmovesuponthisball。Also，thatheisapubliccharacter，andapersonageofvastconsequence。Also，thatMissPupford’sassistantknowsallaboutit。For，sometimesofanafternoonwhenMissPupfordhasbeenreadingthepaperthroughherlittlegoldeye—glass（itisnecessarytoreaditonthespot，astheboycallsforit，withill—
conditionedpunctuality，inanhour），shehasbecomeagitated，andhassaidtoherassistant\"G！\"ThenMissPupford’sassistanthasgonetoMissPupford，andMissPupfordhaspointedout，withhereye—glass，Ginthepaper，andthenMissPupford’sassistanthasreadaboutG，andhasshownsympathy。Sostimulatedhasthepupil—
mindbeeninitstimetocuriosityonthesubjectofG，thatonce，undertemporarycircumstancesfavourabletotheboldsally，onefearlesspupildidactuallyobtainpossessionofthepaper，andrangealloveritinsearchofG，whohadbeendiscoveredthereinbyMissPupfordnottenminutesbefore。ButnoGcouldbeidentified，exceptonecapitaloffenderwhohadbeenexecutedinastateofgreathardihood，anditwasnottobesupposedthatMissPupfordcouldeverhavelovedHIM。Besides，hecouldn’tbealwaysbeingexecuted。Besides，hegotintothepaperagain，alive，withinamonth。
Onthewhole，itissuspectedbythepupil—mindthatGisashortchubbyoldgentleman，withlittleblacksealing—waxbootsuptohisknees，whomasharplyobservantpupil，MissLinx，whensheoncewenttoTunbridgeWellswithMissPupfordfortheholidays，reportedonherreturn（privatelyandconfidentially）tohaveseencomecaperinguptoMissPupfordonthePromenade，andtohavedetectedintheactofsqueezingMissPupford’shand，andtohaveheardpronouncethewords，\"CruelEuphemia，everthine！\"——orsomethinglikethat。MissLinxhazardedaguessthathemightbeHouseofCommons，orMoneyMarket，orCourtCircular，orFashionableMovements；whichwouldaccountforhisgettingintothepapersooften。But，itwasfatallyobjectedbythepupil—mind，thatnoneofthosenotabilitiescouldpossiblybespeltwithaG。
Thereareotheroccasions，closelywatchedandperfectlycomprehendedbythepupil—mind，whenMissPupfordimpartswithmysterytoherassistantthatthereisspecialexcitementinthemorningpaper。Theseoccasionsare，whenMissPupfordfindsanoldpupilcomingoutundertheheadofBirths，orMarriages。
AffectionatetearsareinvariablyseeninMissPupford’smeeklittleeyeswhenthisisthecase；andthepupil—mind，perceivingthatitsorderhasdistinguisheditself——thoughthefactisnevermentionedbyMissPupford——becomeselevated，andfeelsthatitlikewiseisreservedforgreatness。
MissPupford’sassistantwiththeParisianaccenthasalittlemorebonethanMissPupford，butisofthesametrimorderlydiminutivecast，and，fromlongcontemplation，admiration，andimitationofMissPupford，hasgrownlikeher。BeingentirelydevotedtoMissPupford，andhavingaprettytalentforpencil—drawing，sheoncemadeaportraitofthatlady:whichwassoinstantlyidentifiedandhailedbythepupils，thatitwasdoneonstoneatfiveshillings。
Surelythesoftestandmilkieststonethateverwasquarried，receivedthatlikenessofMissPupford！Thelinesofherplacidlittlenosearesoundecidedinitthatstrangerstotheworkofartareobservedtobeexceedinglyperplexedastowherethenosegoesto，andinvoluntarilyfeeltheirownnosesinadisconcertedmanner。
MissPupfordbeingrepresentedinastateofdejectionatanopenwindow，ruminatingoverabowlofgoldfish，thepupil—mindhassettledthatthebowlwaspresentedbyG，andthathewreathedthebowlwithflowersofsoul，andthatMissPupfordisdepictedaswaitingforhimonamemorableoccasionwhenhewasbehindhistime。
TheapproachofthelastMidsummerholidayshadaparticularinterestforthepupil—mind，byreasonofitsknowingthatMissPupfordwasbidden，ontheseconddayofthoseholidays，tothenuptialsofaformerpupil。Asitwasimpossibletoconcealthefact——soextensivewerethedress—makingpreparations——MissPupfordopenlyannouncedit。But，shehelditduetoparentstomaketheannouncementwithanairofgentlemelancholy，asifmarriagewere（asindeeditexceptionallyhasbeen）ratheracalamity。Withanairofsoftenedresignationandpity，therefore，MissPupfordwentonwithherpreparations:andmeanwhilenopupileverwentup—
stairs，orcamedown，withoutpeepinginatthedoorofMissPupford’sbedroom（whenMissPupfordwasn’tthere），andbringingbacksomesurprisingintelligenceconcerningthebonnet。
Theextensivepreparationsbeingcompletedonthedaybeforetheholidays，anunanimousentreatywaspreferredtoMissPupfordbythepupil—mind——findingexpressionthroughMissPupford’sassistant——
thatshewoulddeigntoappearinallhersplendour。MissPupfordconsenting，presentedalovelyspectacle。Andalthoughtheoldestpupilwasbarelythirteen，everyoneofthesixbecameintwominutesperfectintheshape，cut，colour，price，andquality，ofeveryarticleMissPupfordwore。
Thusdelightfullyusheredin，theholidaysbegan。FiveofthesixpupilskissedlittleKittyKimmeenstwentytimesover（roundtotal，onehundredtimes，forshewasverypopular），andsowenthome。
MissKittyKimmeensremainedbehind，forherrelationsandfriendswereallinIndia，faraway。Aself—helpfulsteadylittlechildisMissKittyKimmeens:adimpledchildtoo，andaloving。
So，thegreatmarriage—daycame，andMissPupford，quiteasmuchflutteredasanybridecouldbe（G！thoughtMissKittyKimmeens），wentaway，splendidtobehold，inthecarriagethatwassentforher。ButnotMissPupfordonlywentaway；forMissPupford’sassistantwentawaywithher，onadutifulvisittoanageduncle——
thoughsurelythevenerablegentlemancouldn’tliveinthegalleryofthechurchwherethemarriagewastobe，thoughtMissKittyKimmeens——andyetMissPupford’sassistanthadletoutthatshewasgoingthere。Wherethecookwasgoing，didn’tappear，butshegenerallyconveyedtoMissKimmeensthatshewasbound，ratheragainstherwill，onapilgrimagetoperformsomepiousofficethatrenderednewribbonsnecessarytoherbestbonnet，andalsosandalstohershoes。
\"Soyousee，\"saidthehousemaid，whentheywereallgone，\"there’snobodyleftinthehousebutyouandme，MissKimmeens。\"
\"Nobodyelse，\"saidMissKittyKimmeens，shakinghercurlsalittlesadly。\"Nobody！\"
\"Andyouwouldn’tlikeyourBellatogotoo；wouldyou，MissKimmeens？\"saidthehousemaid。（ShebeingBella。）
\"N—no，\"answeredlittleMissKimmeens。
\"YourpoorBellaisforcedtostaywithyou，whethershelikesitornot；ain’tshe，MissKimmeens？\"
\"DON’Tyoulikeit？\"inquiredKitty。
\"Why，you’resuchadarling，Miss，thatitwouldbeunkindofyourBellatomakeobjections。Yetmybrother—in—lawhasbeentookunexpectedbadbythismorning’spost。AndyourpoorBellaismuchattachedtohim，lettingaloneherfavouritesister，MissKimmeens。\"
\"Isheveryill？\"askedlittleKitty。
\"YourpoorBellahasherfearsso，MissKimmeens，\"returnedthehousemaid，withherapronathereyes。\"Itwasbuthisinside，itistrue，butitmightmount，andthedoctorsaidthatifitmountedhewouldn’tanswer。\"HerethehousemaidwassoovercomethatKittyadministeredtheonlycomfortshehadready:whichwasakiss。
\"Ifithadn’tbeenfordisappointingCook，dearMissKimmeens，\"saidthehousemaid，\"yourBellawouldhaveaskedhertostaywithyou。
ForCookissweetcompany，MissKimmeens，muchmoresothanyourownpoorBella。\"
\"Butyouareverynice，Bella。\"
\"YourBellacouldwishtobeso，MissKimmeens，\"returnedthehousemaid，\"butsheknowsfullwellthatitdonotlayinherpowerthisday。\"
Withwhichdespondentconviction，thehousemaiddrewaheavysigh，andshookherhead，anddroppeditononeside。
\"IfithadbeenanywaysrighttodisappointCook，\"shepursued，inacontemplativeandabstractedmanner，\"itmighthavebeensoeasydone！Icouldhavegottomybrother—in—law’s，andhadthebestpartofthedaythere，andgotback，longbeforeourladiescomehomeatnight，andneithertheonenortheotherofthemneedneverhaveknownit。NotthatMissPupfordwouldatallobject，butthatitmightputherout，beingtender—hearted。Hows’ever，yourownpoorBella，MissKimmeens，\"saidthehousemaid，rousingherself，\"isforcedtostaywithyou，andyou’reapreciouslove，ifnotaliberty。\"
\"Bella，\"saidlittleKitty，afterashortsilence。
\"CallyourownpoorBella，yourBella，dear，\"thehousemaidbesoughther。
\"MyBella，then。\"
\"Blessyourconsiderateheart！\"saidthehousemaid。
\"Ifyouwouldnotmindleavingme，Ishouldnotmindbeingleft。I
amnotafraidtostayinthehousealone。Andyouneednotbeuneasyonmyaccount，forIwouldbeverycarefultodonoharm。\"
\"O！Astoharm，youmorethansweetest，ifnotaliberty，\"
exclaimedthehousemaid，inarapture，\"yourBellacouldtrustyouanywhere，beingsosteady，andsoanswerable。Theoldestheadinthishouse（meandCooksays），butforitsbrighthair，isMissKimmeens。Butno，Iwillnotleaveyou；foryouwouldthinkyourBellaunkind。\"
\"ButifyouaremyBella，youMUSTgo，\"returnedthechild。
\"MustI？\"saidthehousemaid，rising，onthewholewithalacrity。
\"Whatmustbe，mustbe，MissKimmeens。YourownpoorBellaactsaccording，thoughunwilling。Butgoorstay，yourownpoorBellalovesyou，MissKimmeens。\"
Itwascertainlygo，andnotstay，forwithinfiveminutesMissKimmeens’sownpoorBella——somuchimprovedinpointofspiritsastohavegrownalmostsanguineonthesubjectofherbrother—in—law——
wentherway，inapparelthatseemedtohavebeenexpresslypreparedforsomefestiveoccasion。Sucharethechangesofthisfleetingworld，andsoshort—sightedarewepoormortals！
Whenthehousedoorclosedwithabangandashake，itseemedtoMissKimmeenstobeaveryheavyhousedoor，shuttingherupinawildernessofahouse。But，MissKimmeensbeing，asbeforestated，ofaself—reliantandmethodicalcharacter，presentlybegantoparceloutthelongsummer—daybeforeher。
Andfirstshethoughtshewouldgoalloverthehouse，tomakequitesurethatnobodywithagreat—coatonandacarving—knifeinit，hadgotunderoneofthebedsorintooneofthecupboards。Notthatshehadeverbeforebeentroubledbytheimageofanybodyarmedwithagreat—coatandacarving—knife，butthatitseemedtohavebeenshakenintoexistencebytheshakeandthebangofthegreatstreet—
door，reverberatingthroughthesolitaryhouse。So，littleMissKimmeenslookedunderthefiveemptybedsofthefivedepartedpupils，andlooked，underherownbed，andlookedunderMissPupford’sbed，andlookedunderMissPupford’sassistantsbed。Andwhenshehaddonethis，andwasmakingthetourofthecupboards，thedisagreeablethoughtcameintoheryounghead，Whataveryalarmingthingitwouldbetofindsomebodywithamaskon，likeGuyFawkes，hidingboltuprightinacornerandpretendingnottobealive！However，MissKimmeenshavingfinishedherinspectionwithoutmakinganysuchuncomfortablediscovery，satdowninhertidylittlemannertoneedlework，andbeganstitchingawayatagreatrate。
Thesilenceallabouthersoongrewveryoppressive，andthemoresobecauseoftheoddinconsistencythatthemoresilentitwas，themorenoisestherewere。Thenoiseofherownneedleandthreadasshestitched，wasinfinitelylouderinherearsthanthestitchingofallthesixpupils，andofMissPupford，andofMissPupford’sassistant，allstitchingawayatonceonahighlyemulativeafternoon。Then，theschoolroomclockconducteditselfinawayinwhichithadneverconducteditselfbefore——felllame，somehow，andyetpersistedinrunningonashardandasloudasitcould:theconsequenceofwhichbehaviourwas，thatitstaggeredamongtheminutesinastateofthegreatestconfusion，andknockedthemaboutinalldirectionswithoutappearingtogetonwithitsregularwork。
Perhapsthisalarmedthestairs；butbethatasitmight，theybegantocreakinamostunusualmanner，andthenthefurniturebegantocrack，andthenpoorlittleMissKimmeens，notlikingthefurtiveaspectofthingsingeneral，begantosingasshestitched。But，itwasnotherownvoicethatsheheard——itwassomebodyelsemakingbelievetobeKitty，andsingingexcessivelyflat，withoutanyheart——soasthatwouldnevermendmatters，sheleftoffagain。
By—and—bythestitchingbecamesopalpableafailurethatMissKittyKimmeensfoldedherworkneatly，andputitawayinitsbox，andgaveitup。Thenthequestionaroseaboutreading。Butno；thebookthatwassodelightfulwhentherewassomebodyshelovedforhereyestofallonwhentheyrosefromthepage，hadnotmoreheartinitthanherownsingingnow。Thebookwenttoitsshelfastheneedleworkhadgonetoitsbox，and，sincesomethingMUSTbedone——
thoughtthechild，\"I’llgoputmyroomtorights。\"
Shesharedherroomwithherdearestlittlefriendamongtheotherfivepupils，andwhythenshouldshenowconceivealurkingdreadofthelittlefriend’sbedstead？Butshedid。Therewasastealthyairaboutitsinnocentwhitecurtains，andtherewereevendarkhintsofadeadgirllyingunderthecoverlet。Thegreatwantofhumancompany，thegreatneedofahumanface，begannowtoexpressitselfinthefacilitywithwhichthefurnitureputonstrangeexaggeratedresemblancestohumanlooks。Achairwithamenacingfrownwashorriblyoutoftemperinacorner；amostviciouschestofdrawerssnarledatherfrombetweenthewindows。Itwasnorelieftoescapefromthosemonsterstothelooking—glass，forthereflectionsaid，\"What？Isthatyouallalonethere？Howyoustare！\"Andthebackgroundwasallagreatvoidstareaswell。
Thedaydraggedon，draggingKittywithitveryslowlybythehairofherhead，untilitwastimetoeat。Thereweregoodprovisionsinthepantry，buttheirrightflavourandrelishhadevaporatedwiththefivepupils，andMissPupford，andMissPupford’sassistant，andthecookandhousemaid。Wherewastheuseoflayingtheclothsymmetricallyforonesmallguest，whohadgoneoneversincethemorninggrowingsmallerandsmaller，whiletheemptyhousehadgoneonswellinglargerandlarger？TheveryGracecameoutwrong，forwhowere\"we\"whoweregoingtoreceiveandbethankful？
So，MissKimmeenswasNOTthankful，andfoundherselftakingherdinnerinveryslovenlystyle——gobblingitup，inshort，ratherafterthemanneroftheloweranimals，nottoparticularisethepigs。
But，thiswasbynomeanstheworstofthechangewroughtoutinthenaturallylovingandcheerylittlecreatureasthesolitarydayworeon。Shebegantobroodandbesuspicious。Shediscoveredthatshewasfullofwrongsandinjuries。Allthepeoplesheknew，gottaintedbyherlonelythoughtsandturnedbad。
ItwasallverywellforPapa，awidowerinIndia，tosendherhometobeeducated，andtopayahandsomeroundsumeveryyearforhertoMissPupford，andtowritecharmingletterstohisdarlinglittledaughter；butwhatdidhecareforherbeingleftbyherself，whenhewas（asnodoubthealwayswas）enjoyinghimselfincompanyfrommorningtillnight？Perhapsheonlysentherhere，afterall，togetheroutoftheway。Itlookedlikeit——lookedlikeitto—day，thatis，forshehadneverdreamedofsuchathingbefore。
Andthisoldpupilwhowasbeingmarried。Itwasunsupportablyconceitedandselfishintheoldpupiltobemarried。Shewasveryvain，andverygladtoshowoff；butitwashighlyprobablethatshewasn’tpretty；andevenifshewerepretty（whichMissKimmeensnowtotallydenied），shehadnobusinesstobemarried；and，evenifmarriagewereconceded，shehadnobusinesstoaskMissPupfordtoherwedding。AstoMissPupford，shewastoooldtogotoanywedding。Sheoughttoknowthat。Shehadmuchbetterattendtoherbusiness。Shehadthoughtshelookedniceinthemorning，butshedidn’tlooknice。Shewasastupidoldthing。Gwasanotherstupidoldthing。MissPupford’sassistantwasanother。Theywereallstupidoldthingstogether。
Morethanthat:itbegantobeobviousthatthiswasaplot。Theyhadsaidtooneanother，\"NevermindKitty；yougetoff，andI’llgetoff；andwe’llleaveKittytolookafterherself。Whocaresforher？\"Tobesuretheywererightinthatquestion；forwhoDIDcareforher，apoorlittlelonelythingagainstwhomtheyallplannedandplotted？Nobody，nobody！HereKittysobbed。
Atallothertimesshewasthepetofthewholehouse，andlovedherfivecompanionsinreturnwithachild’stenderestandmostingenuousattachment；butnow，thefivecompanionsputonuglycolours，andappearedforthefirsttimeunderasullencloud。
Theretheywere，allattheirhomesthatday，beingmademuchof，beingtakenout，beingspoiltandmadedisagreeable，andcaringnothingforher。Itwasliketheirartfulselfishnessalwaystotellherwhentheycameback，underpretenceofconfidenceandfriendship，allthosedetailsaboutwheretheyhadbeen，andwhattheyhaddoneandseen，andhowoftentheyhadsaid，\"O！IfwehadonlydarlinglittleKittyhere！\"Hereindeed！Idaresay！Whentheycamebackaftertheholidays，theywereusedtobeingreceivedbyKitty，andtosayingthatcomingtoKittywaslikecomingtoanotherhome。Verywellthen，whydidtheygoaway？Ifthemeantit，whydidtheygoaway？Letthemanswerthat。Buttheydidn’tmeanit，andcouldn’tanswerthat，andtheydidn’ttellthetruth，andpeoplewhodidn’ttellthetruthwerehateful。Whentheycamebacknexttime，theyshouldbereceivedinanewmanner；theyshouldbeavoidedandshunned。
Andthere，thewhileshesatallalonerevolvinghowillshewasused，andhowmuchbettershewasthanthepeoplewhowerenotalone，theweddingbreakfastwasgoingon:noquestionofit！Withanastygreatbride—cake，andwiththoseridiculousorange—flowers，andwiththatconceitedbride，andthathideousbridegroom，andthoseheartlessbridesmaids，andMissPupfordstuckupatthetable！
Theythoughttheywereenjoyingthemselves，butitwouldcomehometothemonedaytohavethoughtso。Theywouldallbedeadinafewyears，letthemenjoythemselveseversomuch。Itwasareligiouscomforttoknowthat。
Itwassuchacomforttoknowit，thatlittleMissKittyKimmeenssuddenlysprangfromthechairinwhichshehadbeenmusinginacorner，andcriedout，\"Othoseenviousthoughtsarenotmine，O
thiswickedcreatureisn’tme！Helpme，somebody！Igowrong，alonebymyweakself！Helpme，anybody！\"
\"——MissKimmeensisnotaprofessedphilosopher，sir，\"saidMr。
Traveller，presentingheratthebarredwindow，andsmoothinghershininghair，\"butIapprehendtherewassometinctureofphilosophyinherwords，andinthepromptactionwithwhichshefollowedthem。
Thatactionwas，toemergefromherunnaturalsolitude，andlookabroadforwholesomesympathy，tobestowandtoreceive。Herfootstepsstrayedtothisgate，bringingherherebychance，asanappositecontrasttoyou。Thechildcameout，sir。Ifyouhavethewisdomtolearnfromachild（butIdoubtit，forthatrequiresmorewisdomthanoneinyourconditionwouldseemtopossess），youcannotdobetterthanimitatethechild，andcomeouttoo——fromthatverydemoralisinghutchofyours。\"
CHAPTERVII——PICKINGUPTHETINKER
Itwasnowsunset。TheHermithadbetakenhimselftohisbedofcindershalfanhourago，andlyingonitinhisblanketandskewerwithhisbacktothewindow，tooknotthesmallestheedoftheappealaddressedtohim。
Allthathadbeensaidforthelasttwohours，hadbeensaidtoatinklingaccompanimentperformedbytheTinker，whohadgottoworkuponsomevillager’spotorkettle，andwasworkingbrisklyoutside。
Thismusicstillcontinuing，seemedtoputitintoMr。Traveller’smindtohaveanotherwordortwowiththeTinker。So，holdingMissKimmeens（withwhomhewasnowonthemostfriendlyterms）bythehand，hewentoutatthegatetowheretheTinkerwasseatedathisworkonthepatchofgrassontheoppositesideoftheroad，withhiswalletoftoolsopenbeforehim，andhislittlefiresmoking。
\"Iamgladtoseeyouemployed，\"saidMr。Traveller。
\"IamgladtoBEemployed，\"returnedtheTinker，lookingupasheputthefinishingtouchestohisjob。\"Butwhyareyouglad？\"
IthoughtyouwerealazyfellowwhenIsawyouthismorning。\"
\"Iwasonlydisgusted，\"saidtheTinker。
\"Doyoumeanwiththefineweather？\"
\"Withthefineweather？\"repeatedtheTinker，staring。
\"Youtoldmeyouwerenotparticularastoweather，andIthought——\"
\"Ha，ha！Howshouldsuchasmegeton，ifweWASparticularastoweather？Wemusttakeitasitcomes，andmakethebestofit。
There’ssomethinggoodinallweathers。Ifitdon’thappentobegoodformyworkto—day，it’sgoodforsomeotherman’sto—day，andwillcomeroundtometo—morrow。Wemustalllive。\"
\"Prayshakehands，\"saidMr。Traveller。
\"Takecare，sir，\"wastheTinker’scaution，ashereacheduphishandinsurprise；\"theblackcomesoff。\"
\"Iamgladofit，\"saidMr。Traveller。\"Ihavebeenforseveralhoursamongotherblackthatdoesnotcomeoff。\"
\"YouarespeakingofTominthere？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Wellnow，\"saidtheTinker，blowingthedustoffhisjob:whichwasfinished。\"Ain’titenoughtodisgustapig，ifhecouldgivehismindtoit？\"
\"Ifhecouldgivehismindtoit，\"returnedtheother，smiling，\"theprobabilityisthathewouldn’tbeapig。\"
\"Thereyouclenchthenail，\"returnedtheTinker。\"Thenwhat’stobesaidforTom？\"
\"Truly，verylittle。\"
\"Trulynothingyoumean，sir，\"saidtheTinker，asheputawayhistools。
\"Abetteranswer，and（Ifreelyacknowledge）mymeaning。Iinferthathewasthecauseofyourdisgust？\"
\"Why，look’eehere，sir，\"saidtheTinker，risingtohisfeet，andwipinghisfaceonthecornerofhisblackapronenergetically；\"I
leaveyoutojudge！——Iaskyou！——LastnightIhasajobthatneedstobedoneinthenight，andIworksallnight。Well，there’snothinginthat。ButthismorningIcomesalongthisroadhere，lookingforasunnyandsoftspottosleepin，andIseesthisdesolationandruination。I’velivedmyselfindesolationandruination；Iknowsmanyafellow—creeturthat’sforcedtolivelifelongindesolationandruination；andIsitsmedownandtakespityonit，asIcastsmyeyesabout。Thencomesupthelong—windedoneasItoldyouof，fromthatgate，andspinshimselfoutlikeasilkwormconcerningtheDonkey（ifmyDonkeyathomewillexcuseme）
ashasmadeitall——madeitofhisownchoice！Andtellsme，ifyouplease，ofhislikewisechoosingtogoraggedandnaked，andgrimy——
maskerading，mountebanking，inwhatistherealhardlotofthousandsandthousands！Why，thenIsayit’saunbearableandnonsensicalpieceofinconsistency，andI’mdisgusted。I’mashamedanddisgusted！\"
\"Iwishyouwouldcomeandlookathim，\"saidMr。Traveller，clappingtheTinkerontheshoulder。
\"NotI，sir，\"herejoined。\"Iain’tagoingtoflatterhimupbylookingathim！\"
\"Butheisasleep。\"
\"Areyousureheisasleep？\"askedtheTinker，withanunwillingair，asheshoulderedhiswallet。
\"Sure。\"
\"ThenI’lllookathimforaquarterofaminute，\"saidtheTinker，\"sinceyousomuchwishit；butnotamomentlonger。\"
Theyallthreewentbackacrosstheroad；and，throughthebarredwindow，bythedyingglowofthesunsetcominginatthegate——whichthechildheldopenforitsadmission——hecouldbeprettyclearlydiscernedlyingonhisbed。
\"Youseehim？\"askedMr。Traveller。
\"Yes，\"returnedtheTinker，\"andhe’sworsethanIthoughthim。\"
Mr。Travellerthenwhisperedinfewwordswhathehaddonesincemorning；andaskedtheTinkerwhathethoughtofthat？
\"Ithink，\"returnedtheTinker，asheturnedfromthewindow，\"thatyou’vewastedadayonhim。\"
\"Ithinksotoo；thoughnot，Ihope，uponmyself。DoyouhappentobegoinganywherenearthePealofBells？\"
\"That’smydirectway，sir，\"saidtheTinker。
\"Iinviteyoutosupperthere。AndasIlearnfromthisyoungladythatshegoessomethree—quartersofamileinthesamedirection，wewilldropherontheroad，andwewillsparetimetokeephercompanyathergardengateuntilherownBellacomeshome。\"
So，Mr。Traveller，andthechild，andtheTinker，wentalongveryamicablyinthesweet—scentedevening；andthemoralwithwhichtheTinkerdismissedthesubjectwas，thathesaidinhistradethatmetalthatrottedforwantofuse，hadbetterbelefttorot，andcouldn’trottoosoon，consideringhowmuchtruemetalrottedfromover—useandhardservice。
Footnotes:
{1}Dickensdidn’twritechapters2to5andtheyareomittedinthisedition。
