the Major; and
finally, with a sudden recollection of the conventionalities of life,
turned and apologised to Mr Dombey.

'But my little friend here, Sir,' said the Major, 'makes a boy of me
again: An old soldier, Sir--Major Bagstock, at your service--is not
ashamed to confess it.' Here the Major lifted his hat. 'Damme, Sir,'
cried the Major with sudden warmth, 'I envy you.' Then he recollected
himself, and added, 'Excuse my freedom.'

Mr Dombey begged he wouldn't mention it.

'An old campaigner, Sir,' said the Major, 'a smoke-dried, sun-burnt,
used-up, invalided old dog of a Major, Sir, was not afraid of being
condemned for his whim by a man like Mr Dombey. I have the honour of
addressing Mr Dombey, I believe?'

'I am the present unworthy representative of that name, Major,' returned
Mr Dombey.

'By G-, Sir!' said the Major, 'it's a great name. It's a name, Sir,'
said the Major firmly, as if he defied Mr Dombey to contradict him, and
would feel it his painful duty to bully him if he did, 'that is known
and honoured in the British possessions abroad. It is a name, Sir,
that a man is proud to recognise. There is nothing adulatory in Joseph
Bagstock, Sir. His Royal Highness the Duke of York observed on more than
one occasion, "there is no adulation in Joey. He is a plain old soldier
is Joe. He is tough to a fault is Joseph:" but it's a great name, Sir.
By the Lord, it's a great name!' said the Major, solemnly.

'You are good enough to rate it higher than it deserves, perhaps,
Major,' returned Mr Dombey.

'No, Sir,' said the Major, in a severe tone. No, Mr Dombey, let us
understand each other. That is not the Bagstock vein, Sir. You don't
know Joseph B. He is a blunt old blade is Josh. No flattery in him, Sir.
Nothing like it.'

Mr Dombey inclined his head, and said he believed him to be in earnest,
and that his high opinion was gratifying.

'My little friend here, Sir,' croaked the Major, looking as amiably
as he could, on Paul, 'will certify for Joseph Bagstock that he is a
thorough-going, down-right, plain-spoken, old Trump, Sir, and nothing
more. That boy, Sir,' said the Major in a lower tone, 'will live in
history. That boy, Sir, is not a common production. Take care of him, Mr
Dombey.'

Mr Dombey seemed to intimate that he would endeavour to do so.

'Here is a boy here, Sir,' pursued the Major, confidentially, and
giving him a thrust with his cane. 'Son of Bitherstone of Bengal. Bill
Bitherstone forme