.

Mr Dombey goes upon a Journey.
'Mr Dombey, Sir,' said Major Bagstock, 'Joee' B.is not in general a man of sentiment, for Joseph is tough.

But Joe has his feelings, Sir, and when they are awakened--Damme, Mr Dombey,' cried the Major with sudden ferocity, 'this is weakness, and I won't submit to it!' Major Bagstock delivered himself of these expressions on receiving Mr Dombey as his guest at the head of his own staircase in Princess's Place.

Mr Dombey had come to breakfast with the Major, previous to their setting forth on their trip; and the ill-starved Native had already undergone a world of misery arising out of the muffins, while, in connexion with the general question of boiled eggs, life was a burden to him.
'It is not for an old soldier of the Bagstock breed,' observed the Major, relapsing into a mild state, 'to deliver himself up, a prey to his own emotions; but--damme, Sir,' cried the Major, in another spasm of ferocity, 'I condole with you!' The Major's purple visage deepened in its hue, and the Major's lobster eyes stood out in bolder relief, as he shook Mr Dombey by the hand, imparting to that peaceful action as defiant a character as if it had been the prelude to his immediately boxing Mr Dombey for a thousand pounds a side and the championship of England.

With a rotatory motion of his head, and a wheeze very like the cough of a horse, the Major then conducted his visitor to the sitting-room, and there welcomed him (having now composed his feelings) with the freedom and frankness of a travelling companion.
'Dombey,' said the Major, 'I'm glad to see you.