Little Dombey Page #2

"Little Dombey" is a novel by Charles Dickens, originally published in 1846-1848. The story revolves around Paul Dombey, the son of the proud and ambitious businessman Mr. Dombey, who expects his son to inherit his business and carry on the family legacy. The novel explores themes of family dynamics, the impact of societal expectations, and the innocence of childhood, as young Paul navigates a world dominated by his father's aspirations and the emotional neglect that ensues. As the narrative unfolds, it delves into the relationships within the Dombey family and the contrasting lives of those around them, highlighting the struggles of love, loss, and the quest for belonging.

• Children

								

aching head against the knee of a schoolfellow of whom he was very fond;
and the first thing he noticed when he opened his eyes was that the
window was open, his face and hair were wet with water, and that Dr.
Blimber and the usher were both standing looking at him.

"Ah, that's well," said Dr. Blimber, as Paul opened his eyes, "and how
is my little friend now?"

"Oh, quite well, thank you, sir," answered Paul, but when he got up
there seemed something the matter with the floor, and the walls were
dancing about, and Dr. Blimber's head was twice its natural size. He was
put to bed, and presently the doctor came and said he was not to do any
more lessons for the present.

In a few days Paul was able to get up and creep about the house. He
wondered sometimes why every one looked at and spoke so very kindly to
him, and was more than ever careful to do any little kindnesses he could
think of for them: even the rough, ugly dog Diogenes, who lived in the
yard, came in for a share of his attentions.

There was a party at Dr. Blimber's on the evening before the boys went
home. Paul sat in a corner of the sofa all the evening, and every one
was very kind to him indeed, it was quite extraordinary, Paul thought,
and he was very happy; he liked to see how pretty Florence was, and how
every one admired and wished to dance with her. After resting for a
night at Mrs. Pipchin's house, little Paul went home, and was carried
straight upstairs to his bed.

He lay in his bed day after day quite happily and patiently, content
to watch and talk to Florence. He would tell her his dreams, and how he
always saw the sunlit ripples of a river rolling, rolling fast in front
of him; sometimes he seemed to be rocking in a little boat on the water,
and its motion lulled him to rest, and then he would be floating away,
away to that shore farther off, which he could not see. One day he told
Florence that the water was rippling brighter and faster than ever, and
that he could not see anything else.

"My own boy, cannot you see your poor father?" said Mr. Dombey, bending
over him.

"Oh yes, but don't be so sorry, dear papa. I am so happy,--good-bye,
dear papa." Presently he opened his eyes again, and said, "Floy, mamma
is like you, I can see her. Come close to me, Floy, and tell them,"
whispered the dying boy, "that the face of the picture of Christ on the
staircase at school is not divine enough; the light from it is shining
on me now, and the water is shining too, and rippling so fast, so fast."

The evening light shone into the room, but little Paul's spirit had gone
out on the rippling water, and the Divine Face was shining on him from
the farther shore.
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