ve him his share of blame; let him try to forgive me mine."

Time went happily by in the home of Walter and Florence. They often
visited the little shop where stood the wooden midshipman, now in a new
suit of paint. The sign above the door had become "Gills and Cuttle,"
for Old Sol and the Captain had gone into partnership, and the firm had
grown rich through the successes of some of Solomon Gills's old
investments which had finally turned out well.

Walter was beloved by everybody who knew him, and in time refounded the
old firm of Dombey and Son.

Often in the summer, on the sea-beach, old Mr. Dombey might have been
seen wandering with Florence's little children. The oldest was little
Paul, and he thought of him sometimes almost as of the other little Paul
who died.

But most of all the old gentleman loved the little girl. He could not
bear to see her sit apart or with a cloud on her face. He often stole
away to look at her in her sleep, and was fondest and most loving to her
when there was no one by.

The child used to say then sometimes:

"Dear grandpa, why do you cry when you kiss me?"

But he would only answer, "Little Florence! Little Florence!" and smooth
away the curls that shaded her earnest eyes.

THE POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF THE PICKWICK CLUB

Published 1836-1837

_Scene_: London, Neighboring Towns, Bath, and the Country

_Time_: 1827 to 1831

CHARACTERS

Mr. Samuel Pickwick A gentleman of an inquiring mind
Founder and chairman of "The Pickwick Club"

Sam Weller His body-servant

Mrs. Bardell His London landlady

Tupman }
}
Snodgrass} Members of "The Pickwick Club"
}
Winkle }

Alfred Jingle A strolling actor and adventurer
Later, known as "Fitz-Marshall"

Job Trotter His servant

Mrs. Budger A rich widow

Doctor Slammer An army surgeon
Mrs. Budger's suitor

Mr. Wardle A country gentleman
A friend of the Pickwickians

Emily His daughter

Miss Wardle His spinster sister

Joe