id Mr Toots, with energy,
'you can't think what a miserable Beast I am. The hollow crowd, you
know, when they see me with the Chicken, and characters of distinction
like that, suppose me to be happy; but I'm wretched. I suffer for Miss
Dombey, Captain Gills. I can't get through my meals; I have no pleasure
in my tailor; I often cry when I'm alone. I assure you it'll be a
satisfaction to me to come back to-morrow, or to come back fifty times.'

Mr Toots, with these words, shook the Captain's hand; and disguising
such traces of his agitation as could be disguised on so short a notice,
before the Chicken's penetrating glance, rejoined that eminent gentleman
in the shop. The Chicken, who was apt to be jealous of his ascendancy,
eyed Captain Cuttle with anything but favour as he took leave of Mr
Toots, but followed his patron without being otherwise demonstrative
of his ill-will: leaving the Captain oppressed with sorrow; and Rob
the Grinder elevated with joy, on account of having had the honour of
staring for nearly half an hour at the conqueror of the Nobby Shropshire
One.

Long after Rob was fast asleep in his bed under the counter, the Captain
sat looking at the fire; and long after there was no fire to look at,
the Captain sat gazing on the rusty bars, with unavailing thoughts of
Walter and old Sol crowding through his mind. Retirement to the stormy
chamber at the top of the house brought no rest with it; and the Captain
rose up in the morning, sorrowful and unrefreshed.

As soon as the City offices were opened, the Captain issued forth to
the counting-house of Dombey and Son. But there was no opening of the
Midshipman's windows that morning. Rob the Grinder, by the Captain's
orders, left the shutters closed, and the house was as a house of death.

It chanced that Mr Carker was entering the office, as Captain Cuttle
arrived at the door. Receiving the Manager's benison gravely and
silently, Captain Cuttle made bold to accompany him into his own room.

'Well, Captain Cuttle,' said Mr Carker, taking up his usual position
before the fireplace, and keeping on his hat, 'this is a bad business.'

'You have received the news as was in print yesterday, Sir?' said the
Captain.

'Yes,' said Mr Carker, 'we have received it! It was accurately stated.
The underwriters suffer a considerable loss. We are very sorry. No help!
Such is life!'

Mr Carker pared his nails delicately with a penknife, and smiled at the
Captain, who wa