THEOVERTURE
Dayofthemonthandyear，Novemberthethirtieth，onethousandeighthundredandthirty—five。LondonTimebythegreatclockofSaintPaul’s，tenatnight。AllthelesserLondonchurchesstraintheirmetallicthroats。Some，flippantlybeginbeforetheheavybellofthegreatcathedral;some，tardilybeginthree，four，halfadozen，strokesbehindit;allareinsufficientlynearaccord，toleavearesonanceintheair，asifthewingedfatherwhodevourshischildren，hadmadeasoundingsweepwithhisgiganticscytheinflyingoverthecity。
Whatisthisclocklowerthanmostoftherest，andnearertotheear，thatlagssofarbehindto—nightastostrikeintothevibrationalone？ThisistheclockoftheHospitalforFoundlingChildren。Timewas，whentheFoundlingswerereceivedwithoutquestioninacradleatthegate。Timeis，wheninquiriesaremaderespectingthem，andtheyaretakenasbyfavourfromthemotherswhorelinquishallnaturalknowledgeofthemandclaimtothemforevermore。
Themoonisatthefull，andthenightisfairwithlightclouds。
Thedayhasbeenotherwisethanfair，forslushandmud，thickenedwiththedroppingsofheavyfog，lieblackinthestreets。Theveiledladywhofluttersupanddownnearthepostern—gateoftheHospitalforFoundlingChildrenhasneedtobewellshodto—night。
Sheflutterstoandfro，avoidingthestandofhackney—coaches，andoftenpausingintheshadowofthewesternendofthegreatquadranglewall，withherfaceturnedtowardsthegate。Asaboveherthereisthepurityofthemoonlitsky，andbelowhertherearethedefilementsofthepavement，somayshe，haply，bedividedinhermindbetweentwovistasofreflectionorexperience。Asherfootprintscrossingandrecrossingoneanotherhavemadealabyrinthinthemire，somayhertrackinlifehaveinvolveditselfinanintricateandunravellabletangle。
Thepostern—gateoftheHospitalforFoundlingChildrenopens，andayoungwomancomesout。Theladystandsaside，observesclosely，seesthatthegateisquietlyclosedagainfromwithin，andfollowstheyoungwoman。
Twoorthreestreetshavebeentraversedinsilencebeforeshe，followingclosebehindtheobjectofherattention，stretchesoutherhandandtouchesher。Thentheyoungwomanstopsandlooksround，startled。
\"Youtouchedmelastnight，and，whenIturnedmyhead，youwouldnotspeak。Whydoyoufollowmelikeasilentghost？\"
\"Itwasnot，\"returnedthelady，inalowvoice，\"thatIwouldnotspeak，butthatIcouldnotwhenItried。\"
\"Whatdoyouwantofme？Ihaveneverdoneyouanyharm？\"
\"Never。\"
\"DoIknowyou？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thenwhatcanyouwantofme？\"
\"Herearetwoguineasinthispaper。Takemypoorlittlepresent，andIwilltellyou。\"
Intotheyoungwoman’sface，whichishonestandcomely，comesaflushasshereplies：\"ThereisneithergrownpersonnorchildinallthelargeestablishmentthatIbelongto，whohasn’tagoodwordforSally。IamSally。CouldIbesowellthoughtof，ifIwastobebought？\"
\"Idonotmeantobuyyou;Imeanonlytorewardyouveryslightly。\"
Sallyfirmly，butnotungently，closesandputsbacktheofferinghand。\"IfthereisanythingIcandoforyou，ma’am，thatIwillnotdoforitsownsake，youaremuchmistakeninmeifyouthinkthatIwilldoitformoney。Whatisityouwant？\"
\"YouareoneofthenursesorattendantsattheHospital;Isawyouleaveto—nightandlastnight。\"
\"Yes，Iam。IamSally。\"
\"Thereisapleasantpatienceinyourfacewhichmakesmebelievethatveryyoungchildrenwouldtakereadilytoyou。\"
\"Godbless’em！Sotheydo。\"
Theladyliftsherveil，andshowsafacenoolderthanthenurse’s。
Afacefarmorerefinedandcapablethanhers，butwildandwornwithsorrow。
\"Iamthemiserablemotherofababylatelyreceivedunderyourcare。Ihaveaprayertomaketoyou。\"
Instinctivelyrespectingtheconfidencewhichhasdrawnasidetheveil，Sally——whosewaysareallwaysofsimplicityandspontaneity——
replacesit，andbeginstocry。
\"Youwilllistentomyprayer？\"theladyurges。\"YouwillnotbedeaftotheagonisedentreatyofsuchabrokensuppliantasIam？\"
\"Odear，dear，dear！\"criesSally。\"WhatshallIsay，orcansay！
Don’ttalkofprayers。PrayersaretobeputuptotheGoodFatherofAll，andnottonursesandsuch。Andthere！Iamonlytoholdmyplaceforhalfayearlonger，tillanotheryoungwomancanbetraineduptoit。Iamgoingtobemarried。Ishouldn’thavebeenoutlastnight，andIshouldn’thavebeenoutto—night，butthatmyDick（heistheyoungmanIamgoingtobemarriedto）liesill，andIhelphismotherandsistertowatchhim。Don’ttakeonso，don’ttakeonso！\"
\"OgoodSally，dearSally，\"moansthelady，catchingatherdressentreatingly。\"Asyouarehopeful，andIamhopeless;asafairwayinlifeisbeforeyou，whichcannever，never，bebeforeme;asyoucanaspiretobecomearespectedwife，andasyoucanaspiretobecomeaproudmother，asyouarealivinglovingwoman，andmustdie;forGOD’Ssakehearmydistractedpetition！\"
\"Deary，deary，dearyME！\"criesSally，herdesperationculminatinginthepronoun，\"whatamIevertodo？Andthere！Seehowyouturnmyownwordsbackuponme。ItellyouIamgoingtobemarried，onpurposetomakeitclearertoyouthatIamgoingtoleave，andthereforecouldn’thelpyouifIwould，PoorThing，andyoumakeitseemtomyownselfasifIwascruelingoingtobemarriedandnothelpingyou。Itain’tkind。Now，isitkind，PoorThing？\"
\"Sally！Hearme，mydear。Myentreatyisfornohelpinthefuture。Itappliestowhatispast。Itisonlytobetoldintwowords。\"
\"There！Thisisworseandworse，\"criesSally，\"supposingthatI
understandwhattwowordsyoumean。\"
\"Youdounderstand。Whatarethenamestheyhavegivenmypoorbaby？Iasknomorethanthat。Ihavereadofthecustomsoftheplace。Hehasbeenchristenedinthechapel，andregisteredbysomesurnameinthebook。HewasreceivedlastMondayevening。Whathavetheycalledhim？\"
Downuponherkneesinthefoulmudoftheby—wayintowhichtheyhavestrayed——anemptystreetwithoutathoroughfaregivingonthedarkgardensoftheHospital——theladywoulddropinherpassionateentreaty，butthatSallypreventsher。
\"Don’t！Don’t！YoumakemefeelasifIwassettingmyselfuptobegood。Letmelookinyourprettyfaceagain。Putyourtwohandsinmine。Now，promise。Youwillneveraskmeanythingmorethanthetwowords？\"
\"Never！Never！\"
\"Youwillneverputthemtoabaduse，ifIsaythem？\"
\"Never！Never！\"
\"WalterWilding。\"
Theladylaysherfaceuponthenurse’sbreast，drawshercloseinherembracewithbotharms，murmursablessingandthewords，\"Kisshimforme！\"andisgone。
Dayofthemonthandyear，thefirstSundayinOctober，onethousandeighthundredandforty—seven。LondonTimebythegreatclockofSaintPaul’s，half—pastoneintheafternoon。TheclockoftheHospitalforFoundlingChildreniswellupwiththeCathedralto—
day。Serviceinthechapelisover，andtheFoundlingchildrenareatdinner。
Therearenumerouslookers—onatthedinner，asthecustomis。
Therearetwoorthreegovernors，wholefamiliesfromthecongregation，smallergroupsofbothsexes，individualstragglersofvariousdegrees。Thebrightautumnalsunstrikesfreshlyintothewards;andtheheavy—framedwindowsthroughwhichitshines，andthepanelledwallsonwhichitstrikes，aresuchwindowsandsuchwallsaspervadeHogarth’spictures。Thegirls’refectory（includingthatoftheyoungerchildren）istheprincipalattraction。Neatattendantssilentlyglideabouttheorderlyandsilenttables;thelookers—onmoveorstopasthefancytakesthem;commentsinwhispersonfacesuchanumberfromsuchawindowarenotunfrequent;manyofthefacesareofacharactertofixattention。
Someofthevisitorsfromtheoutsidepublicareaccustomedvisitors。Theyhaveestablishedaspeakingacquaintancewiththeoccupantsofparticularseatsatthetables，andhaltatthosepointstobenddownandsayawordortwo。Itisnodisparagementtotheirkindnessthatthosepointsaregenerallypointswherepersonalattractionsare。Themonotonyofthelongspaciousroomsandthedoublelinesoffacesisagreeablyrelievedbytheseincidents，althoughsoslight。
Aveiledlady，whohasnocompanion，goesamongthecompany。Itwouldseemthatcuriosityandopportunityhaveneverbroughthertherebefore。Shehastheairofbeingalittletroubledbythesight，and，asshegoesthelengthofthetables，itiswithahesitatingstepandanuneasymanner。Atlengthshecomestotherefectoryoftheboys。Theyaresomuchlesspopularthanthegirlsthatitisbareofvisitorswhenshelooksinatthedoorway。
Butjustwithinthedoorway，chancestostand，inspecting，anelderlyfemaleattendant：someorderofmatronorhousekeeper。Towhomtheladyaddressesnaturalquestions：As，howmanyboys？Atwhatagearetheyusuallyputoutinlife？Dotheyoftentakeafancytothesea？So，lowerandlowerintoneuntiltheladyputsthequestion：\"WhichisWalterWilding？\"
Attendant’sheadshaken。Againsttherules。
\"YouknowwhichisWalterWilding？\"
Sokeenlydoestheattendantfeeltheclosenesswithwhichthelady’seyesexamineherface，thatshekeepsherowneyesfastuponthefloor，lestbywanderingintherightdirectiontheyshouldbetrayher。
\"IknowwhichisWalterWilding，butitisnotmyplace，ma’am，totellnamestovisitors。\"
\"Butyoucanshowmewithouttellingme。\"
Thelady’shandmovesquietlytotheattendant’shand。Pauseandsilence。
\"Iamgoingtopassroundthetables，\"saysthelady’sinterlocutor，withoutseemingtoaddressher。\"Followmewithyoureyes。TheboythatIstopatandspeakto，willnotmattertoyou。ButtheboythatItouch，willbeWalterWilding。Saynothingmoretome，andmovealittleaway。\"
Quicklyactingonthehint，theladypassesonintotheroom，andlooksabouther。Afterafewmoments，theattendant，inastaidofficialway，walksdownoutsidethelineoftablescommencingonherlefthand。Shegoesthewholelengthoftheline，turns，andcomesbackontheinside。Veryslightlyglancinginthelady’sdirection，shestops，bendsforward，andspeaks。Theboywhomsheaddresses，liftshisheadandreplies。Goodhumouredlyandeasily，asshelistenstowhathesays，shelaysherhandupontheshoulderofthenextboyonhisright。Thattheactionmaybewellnoted，shekeepsherhandontheshoulderwhilespeakinginreturn，andpatsittwiceorthricebeforemovingaway。Shecompleteshertourofthetables，touchingnooneelse，andpassesoutbyadoorattheoppositeendofthelongroom。
Dinnerisdone，andthelady，too，walksdownoutsidethelineoftablescommencingonherlefthand，goesthewholelengthoftheline，turns，andcomesbackontheinside。Otherpeoplehavestrolledin，fortunatelyforher，andstandsprinkledabout。Sheliftsherveil，and，stoppingatthetouchedboy，askshowoldheis？
\"Iamtwelve，ma’am，\"heanswers，withhisbrighteyesfixedonhers。
\"Areyouwellandhappy？\"
\"Yes，ma’am。\"
\"Mayyoutakethesesweetmeatsfrommyhand？\"
\"Ifyoupleasetogivethemtome。\"
Instoopinglowforthepurpose，theladytouchestheboy’sfacewithherforeheadandwithherhair。Then，loweringherveilagain，shepasseson，andpassesoutwithoutlookingback。
ACTI——THECURTAINRISES
Inacourt—yardintheCityofLondon，whichwasNoThoroughfareeitherforvehiclesorfoot—passengers;acourt—yarddivergingfromasteep，aslippery，andawindingstreetconnectingTowerStreetwiththeMiddlesexshoreoftheThames;stoodtheplaceofbusinessofWilding&Co。，WineMerchants。Probablyasajocoseacknowledgmentoftheobstructivecharacterofthismainapproach，thepointnearesttoitsbaseatwhichonecouldtaketheriver（ifsoinodorouslyminded）boretheappellationBreak—Neck—Stairs。Thecourt—yarditselfhadlikewisebeendescriptivelyentitledinoldtime，CrippleCorner。
Yearsbeforetheyearonethousandeighthundredandsixty—one，peoplehadleftofftakingboatatBreak—Neck—Stairs，andwatermenhadceasedtoplythere。Theslimylittlecausewayhaddroppedintotheriverbyaslowprocessofsuicide，andtwoorthreestumpsofpilesandarustyironmooring—ringwereallthatremainedofthedepartedBreak—Neckglories。Sometimes，indeed，aladencoalbargewouldbumpitselfintotheplace，andcertainlaboriousheavers，seeminglymud—engendered，wouldarise，deliverthecargointheneighbourhood，shoveoff，andvanish;butatmosttimestheonlycommerceofBreak—Neck—Stairsaroseoutoftheconveyanceofcasksandbottles，bothfullandempty，bothtoandfromthecellarsofWilding&Co。，WineMerchants。Eventhatcommercewasbutoccasional，andthroughthree—fourthsofitsrisingtidesthedirtyindecorousdrabofariverwouldcomesolitarilyoozingandlappingattherustyring，asifithadheardoftheDogeandtheAdriatic，andwantedtobemarriedtothegreatconserverofitsfilthiness，theRightHonourabletheLordMayor。
Sometwohundredandfiftyyardsontheright，uptheoppositehill（approachingitfromthelowgroundofBreak—Neck—Stairs）wasCrippleCorner。TherewasapumpinCrippleCorner，therewasatreeinCrippleCorner。AllCrippleCornerbelongedtoWildingandCo。，WineMerchants。Theircellarsburrowedunderit，theirmansiontoweredoverit。ItreallyhadbeenamansioninthedayswhenmerchantsinhabitedtheCity，andhadaceremonioussheltertothedoorwaywithoutvisiblesupport，likethesounding—boardoveranoldpulpit。Ithadalsoanumberoflongnarrowstripsofwindow，sodisposedinitsgravebrickfrontastorenderitsymmetricallyugly。Ithadalso，onitsroof，acupolawithabellinit。
\"Whenamanatfive—and—twentycanputhishaton，andcansay’thishatcoverstheownerofthispropertyandofthebusinesswhichistransactedonthisproperty，’Iconsider，Mr。Bintrey，that，withoutbeingboastful，hemaybeallowedtobedeeplythankful。Idon’tknowhowitmayappeartoyou，butsoitappearstome。\"
ThusMr。WalterWildingtohismanoflaw，inhisowncounting—
house;takinghishatdownfromitspegtosuittheactiontotheword，andhangingitupagainwhenhehaddoneso，nottooverstepthemodestyofnature。
Aninnocent，open—speaking，unused—lookingman，Mr。WalterWilding，witharemarkablypinkandwhitecomplexion，andafiguremuchtoobulkyforsoyoungaman，thoughofagoodstature。Withcrispycurlingbrownhair，andamiablebrightblueeyes。Anextremelycommunicativeman：amanwithwhomloquacitywastheirrestrainableoutpouringofcontentmentandgratitude。Mr。Bintrey，ontheotherhand，acautiousman，withtwinklingbeadsofeyesinalargeoverhangingbaldhead，whoinwardlybutintenselyenjoyedthecomicalityofopennessofspeech，orhand，orheart。
\"Yes，\"saidMr。Bintrey。\"Yes。Ha，ha！\"
Adecanter，twowine—glasses，andaplateofbiscuits，stoodonthedesk。
\"Youlikethisforty—fiveyearoldport—wine？\"saidMr。Wilding。
\"Likeit？\"repeatedMr。Bintrey。\"Rather，sir！\"
\"It’sfromthebestcornerofourbestforty—fiveyearoldbin，\"
saidMr。Wilding。
\"Thankyou，sir，\"saidMr。Bintrey。\"It’smostexcellent。\"
Helaughedagain，ashehelduphisglassandogledit，atthehighlyludicrousideaofgivingawaysuchwine。
\"Andnow，\"saidWilding，withachildishenjoymentinthediscussionofaffairs，\"Ithinkwehavegoteverythingstraight，Mr。Bintrey。\"
\"Everythingstraight，\"saidBintrey。
\"Apartnersecured——\"
\"Partnersecured，\"saidBintrey。
\"Ahousekeeperadvertisedfor——\"
\"Housekeeperadvertisedfor，\"saidBintrey，\"’applypersonallyatCrippleCorner，GreatTowerStreet，fromtentotwelve’——to—morrow，bythebye。\"
\"Mylatedearmother’saffairswoundup——\"
\"Woundup，\"saidBintrey。
\"Andallchargespaid。\"
\"Andallchargespaid，\"saidBintrey，withachuckle：probablyoccasionedbythedrollcircumstancethattheyhadbeenpaidwithoutahaggle。
\"Thementionofmylatedearmother，\"Mr。Wildingcontinued，hiseyesfillingwithtearsandhispocket—handkerchiefdryingthem，\"unmansmestill，Mr。Bintrey。YouknowhowIlovedher;you（herlawyer）knowhowshelovedme。Theutmostloveofmotherandchildwascherishedbetweenus，andweneverexperiencedonemoment’sdivisionorunhappinessfromthetimewhenshetookmeunderhercare。Thirteenyearsinall！Thirteenyearsundermylatedearmother’scare，Mr。Bintrey，andeightofthemherconfidentiallyacknowledgedson！Youknowthestory，Mr。Bintrey，whobutyou，sir！\"Mr。Wildingsobbedanddriedhiseyes，withoutattemptatconcealment，duringtheseremarks。
Mr。Bintreyenjoyedhiscomicalport，andsaid，afterrollingitinhismouth：\"Iknowthestory。\"
\"Mylatedearmother，Mr。Bintrey，\"pursuedthewine—merchant，\"hadbeendeeplydeceived，andhadcruellysuffered。Butonthatsubjectmylatedearmother’slipswereforeversealed。Bywhomdeceived，orunderwhatcircumstances，Heavenonlyknows。Mylatedearmotherneverbetrayedherbetrayer。\"
\"Shehadmadeuphermind，\"saidMr。Bintrey，againturninghiswineonhispalate，\"andshecouldholdherpeace。\"Anamusedtwinkleinhiseyesprettyplainlyadded——\"AdevilishdealbetterthanYOUeverwill！\"
\"’Honour，’\"saidMr。Wilding，sobbingashequotedfromtheCommandments，\"’thyfatherandthymother，thatthydaysmaybelongintheland。’WhenIwasintheFoundling，Mr。Bintrey，Iwasatsuchalosshowtodoit，thatIapprehendedmydayswouldbeshortintheland。ButIafterwardscametohonourmymotherdeeply，profoundly。AndIhonourandreverehermemory。Forsevenhappyyears，Mr。Bintrey，\"pursuedWilding，stillwiththesameinnocentcatchinginhisbreath，andthesameunabashedtears，\"didmyexcellentmotherarticlemetomypredecessorsinthisbusiness，PebblesonNephew。HeraffectionateforethoughtlikewiseapprenticedmetotheVintners’Company，andmademeintimeafreeVintner，and——and——everythingelsethatthebestofmotherscoulddesire。
WhenIcameofage，shebestowedherinheritedshareinthisbusinessuponme;itwashermoneythatafterwardsboughtoutPebblesonNephew，andpaintedinWildingandCo。;itwasshewholeftmeeverythingshepossessed，butthemourningringyouwear。
Andyet，Mr。Bintrey，\"withafreshburstofhonestaffection，\"sheisnomore。ItislittleoverhalfayearsinceshecameintotheCornertoreadonthatdoor—postwithherowneyes，WILDINGANDCO。，WINEMERCHANTS。Andyetsheisnomore！\"
\"Sad。Butthecommonlot，Mr。Wilding，\"observedBintrey。\"Atsometimeorotherwemustallbenomore。\"Heplacedtheforty—fiveyearoldport—wineintheuniversalcondition，witharelishingsigh。
\"Sonow，Mr。Bintrey，\"pursuedWilding，puttingawayhispocket—
handkerchief，andsmoothinghiseyelidswithhisfingers，\"nowthatIcannolongershowmyloveandhonourforthedearparenttowhommyheartwasmysteriouslyturnedbyNaturewhenshefirstspoketome，astrangelady，IsittingatourSundaydinner—tableintheFoundling，IcanatleastshowthatIamnotashamedofhavingbeenaFoundling，andthatI，whoneverknewafatherofmyown，wishtobeafathertoallinmyemployment。Therefore，\"continuedWilding，becomingenthusiasticinhisloquacity，\"therefore，Iwantathoroughlygoodhousekeepertoundertakethisdwelling—houseofWildingandCo。，WineMerchants，CrippleCorner，sothatImayrestoreinitsomeoftheoldrelationsbetwixtemployerandemployed！SothatImayliveinitonthespotwheremymoneyismade！SothatImaydailysitattheheadofthetableatwhichthepeopleinmyemploymenteattogether，andmayeatofthesameroastandboiled，anddrinkofthesamebeer！Sothatthepeopleinmyemploymentmaylodgeunderthesameroofwithme！Sothatwemayoneandall——Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Bintrey，butthatoldsinginginmyheadhassuddenlycomeon，andIshallfeelobligedifyouwillleadmetothepump。\"
Alarmedbytheexcessivepinknessofhisclient，Mr。Bintreylostnotamomentinleadinghimforthintothecourt—yard。Itwaseasilydone;forthecounting—houseinwhichtheytalkedtogetheropenedontoit，atonesideofthedwelling—house。Theretheattorneypumpedwithawill，obedienttoasignfromtheclient，andtheclientlavedhisheadandfacewithbothhands，andtookaheartydrink。Aftertheseremedies，hedeclaredhimselfmuchbetter。
\"Don’tletyourgoodfeelingsexciteyou，\"saidBintrey，astheyreturnedtothecounting—house，andMr。Wildingdriedhimselfonajack—towelbehindaninnerdoor。
\"No，no。Iwon’t，\"hereturned，lookingoutofthetowel。\"I
won’t。Ihavenotbeenconfused，haveI？\"
\"Notatall。Perfectlyclear。\"
\"WheredidIleaveoff，Mr。Bintrey？\"
\"Well，youleftoff——butIwouldn’texcitemyself，ifIwasyou，bytakingitupagainjustyet。\"
\"I’lltakecare。I’lltakecare。Thesinginginmyheadcameonatwhere，Mr。Bintrey？\"
\"Atroast，andboiled，andbeer，\"answeredthelawyer，——\"promptinglodgingunderthesameroof——andoneandall——\"
\"Ah！Andoneandallsingingintheheadtogether——\"
\"Doyouknow，IreallyWOULDNOTletmygoodfeelingsexciteme，ifIwasyou，\"hintedthelawyeragain，anxiously。\"Trysomemorepump。\"
\"Nooccasion，nooccasion。Allright，Mr。Bintrey。Andoneandallformingakindoffamily！Yousee，Mr。Bintrey，Iwasnotusedinmychildhoodtothatsortofindividualexistencewhichmostindividualshaveled，moreorless，intheirchildhood。AfterthattimeIbecameabsorbedinmylatedearmother。Havinglosther，I
findthatIammorefitforbeingoneofabodythanonebymyselfone。Tobethat，andatthesametimetodomydutytothosedependentonme，andattachthemtome，hasapatriarchalandpleasantairaboutit。Idon’tknowhowitmayappeartoyou，MrBintrey，butsoitappearstome。\"
\"ItisnotIwhoamall—importantinthecase，butyou，\"returnedBintrey。\"Consequently，howitmayappeartomeisofverysmallimportance。\"
\"Itappearstome，\"saidMr。Wilding，inaglow，\"hopeful，useful，delightful！\"
\"Doyouknow，\"hintedthelawyeragain，\"Ireallywouldnotex—\"
\"Iamnotgoingto。Thenthere’sHandel。\"
\"There’swho？\"askedBintrey。
\"Handel，Mozart，Haydn，Kent，Purcell，DoctorArne，Greene，Mendelssohn。Iknowthechorusestothoseanthemsbyheart。
FoundlingChapelCollection。Whyshouldn’twelearnthemtogether？\"
\"Wholearnthemtogether？\"askedthelawyer，rathershortly。
\"Employerandemployed。\"
\"Ay，ay，\"returnedBintrey，mollified;asifhehadhalfexpectedtheanswertobe，Lawyerandclient。\"That’sanotherthing。\"
\"Notanotherthing，Mr。Bintrey！Thesamething。Apartofthebondamongus。WewillformaChoirinsomequietchurchneartheCornerhere，and，havingsungtogetherofaSundaywitharelish，wewillcomehomeandtakeanearlydinnertogetherwitharelish。TheobjectthatIhaveatheartnowis，togetthissystemwellinactionwithoutdelay，sothatmynewpartnermayfinditfoundedwhenheentersonhispartnership。\"
\"Allgoodbewithit！\"exclaimedBintrey，rising。\"Mayitprosper！
IsJoeyLadletotakeashareinHandel，Mozart，Haydn，Kent，Purcell，DoctorArne，Greene，andMendelssohn？
\"Ihopeso。\"
\"Iwishthemallwelloutofit，\"returnedBintrey，withmuchheartiness。\"Good—bye，sir。\"
Theyshookhandsandparted。Then（firstknockingwithhisknucklesforleave）enteredtoMr。Wildingfromadoorofcommunicationbetweenhisprivatecounting—houseandthatinwhichhisclerkssat，theHeadCellarmanofthecellarsofWildingandCo。，WineMerchants，anderstHeadCellarmanofthecellarsofPebblesonNephew。TheJoeyLadleinquestion。Aslowandponderousman，ofthedraymanorderofhumanarchitecture，dressedinacorrugatedsuitandbibbedapron，apparentlyacompositeofdoor—matandrhinoceros—hide。
\"Respectingthissameboardingandlodging，YoungMasterWilding，\"
saidhe。
\"Yes，Joey？\"
\"Speakingformyself，YoungMasterWilding——andIneverdidspeakandIneverdospeakfornooneelse——Idon’twantnoboardingnoryetnolodging。Butifyouwishtoboardmeandtolodgeme，takeme。Icanpeckaswellasmostmen。WhereIpeckain’tsohighaobjectwithmeasWhatIpeck。NorevensohighaobjectwithmeasHowMuchIpeck。Isalltoliveinthehouse，YoungMasterWilding？
Thetwoothercellarmen，thethreeporters，thetwo’prentices，andtheoddmen？\"
\"Yes。Ihopeweshallallbeanunitedfamily，Joey。\"
\"Ah！\"saidJoey。\"Ihopetheymaybe。\"
\"They？Rathersaywe，Joey。\"
JoeyLadleshookhisheld。\"Don’tlooktometomakeweonit，YoungMasterWilding，notatmytimeoflifeandunderthecircumstanceswhichhasformedmydisposition。IhavesaidtoPebblesonNephewmanyatime，whentheyhavesaidtome，’Putalivelierfaceuponit，Joey’——Ihavesaidtothem，’Gentlemen，itisallwerywellforyouthathasbeenaccustomedtotakeyourwineintoyoursystemsbytheconwivialchannelofyourthrottles，toputalivelyfaceuponit;but，’Isays，’IhavebeenaccustomedtotakeMYwineinattheporesoftheskin，and，tookthatway，itactsdifferent。Itactsdepressing。It’sonething，gentlemen，’IsaystoPebblesonNephew，’tochargeyourglassesinadining—roomwithaHipHurrahandaJollyCompanionsEveryOne，andit’sanotherthingtobechargedyourself，throughthepores，inalowdarkcellarandamouldyatmosphere。Itmakesallthedifferencebetwixtbubblesandwapours，’ItellsPebblesonNephew。Andsoitdo。I’vebeenacellarmanmylifethrough，withmymindfullygiventothebusiness。
What’stheconsequence？I’masmuddledamanaslives——youwon’tfindamuddledermanthanme——noryetyouwon’tfindmyequalinmolloncolly。SingofFillingthebumperfair，Everydropyousprinkle，O’erthebrowofcare，Smoothsawayawrinkle？Yes。
P’rapsso。Buttryfillingyourselfthroughthepores，underground，whenyoudon’twanttoit！\"
\"Iamsorrytohearthis，Joey。Ihadeventhoughtthatyoumightjoinasinging—classinthehouse。\"
\"Me，sir？No，no，YoungMasterWilding，youwon’tcatchJoeyLadlemuddlingtheArmony。Apecking—machine，sir，isallthatIamcapableofprovingmyself，outofmycellars;butthatyou’rewelcometo，ifyouthinkitisworthyourwhiletokeepsuchathingonyourpremises。\"
\"Ido，Joey。\"
\"Saynomore，sir。TheBusiness’swordismylaw。Andyou’reagoingtotakeYoungMasterGeorgeVendalepartnerintotheoldBusiness？\"
\"Iam，Joey。\"
\"Morechanges，yousee！Butdon’tchangethenameoftheFirmagain。Don’tdoit，YoungMasterWilding。ItwasbadluckenoughtomakeitYourselfandCo。BetterbyfarhaveleftitPebblesonNephewthatgoodluckalwaysstuckto。Youshouldneverchangeluckwhenit’sgood，sir。\"
\"Atallevents，IhavenointentionofchangingthenameoftheHouseagain，Joey。\"
\"Gladtohearit，andwishyougood—day，YoungMasterWilding。Butyouhadbetterbyhalf，\"mutteredJoeyLadleinaudibly，asheclosedthedoorandshookhishead，\"haveletthenamealonefromthefirst。Youhadbetterbyhalfhavefollowedtheluckinsteadofcrossingit。\"
ENTERTHEHOUSEKEEPER
Thewinemerchantsatinhisdining—roomnextmorning，toreceivethepersonalapplicantsforthevacantpostinhisestablishment。
Itwasanold—fashionedwainscotedroom;thepanelsornamentedwithfestoonsofflowerscarvedinwood;withanoakenfloor，awell—wornTurkeycarpet，anddarkmahoganyfurniture，allofwhichhadseenserviceandpolishunderPebblesonNephew。Thegreatsideboardhadassistedatmanybusiness—dinnersgivenbyPebblesonNephewtotheirconnection，ontheprincipleofthrowingspratsoverboardtocatchwhales;andPebblesonNephew’scomprehensivethree—sidedplate—
warmer，madetofitthewholefrontofthelargefireplace，keptwatchbeneathitoverasarcophagus—shapedcellaretthathadinitstimeheldmanyadozenofPebblesonNephew’swine。Butthelittlerubicundoldbachelorwithapigtail，whoseportraitwasoverthesideboard（andwhocouldeasilybeidentifiedasdecidedlyPebblesonanddecidedlynotNephew），hadretiredintoanothersarcophagus，andtheplate—warmerhadgrownascoldashe。So，thegoldenandblackgriffinsthatsupportedthecandelabra，withblackballsintheirmouthsattheendofgildedchains，lookedasifintheiroldagetheyhadlostallheartforplayingatball，andweredolefullyexhibitingtheirchainsintheMissionarylineofinquiry，whethertheyhadnotearnedemancipationbythistime，andwerenotgriffinsandbrothers。
SuchaColumbusofamorningwasthesummermorning，thatitdiscoveredCrippleCorner。Thelightandwarmthpiercedinattheopenwindows，andirradiatedthepictureofaladyhangingoverthechimney—piece，theonlyotherdecorationofthewalls。
\"Mymotheratfive—and—twenty，\"saidMr。Wildingtohimself，ashiseyesenthusiasticallyfollowedthelighttotheportrait’sface，\"I
hanguphere，inorderthatvisitorsmayadmiremymotherinthebloomofheryouthandbeauty。MymotheratfiftyIhangintheseclusionofmyownchamber，asaremembrancesacredtome。O！
It’syou，Jarvis！\"
Theselatterwordsheaddressedtoaclerkwhohadtappedatthedoor，andnowlookedin。
\"Yes，sir。Imerelywishedtomentionthatit’sgoneten，sir，andthatthereareseveralfemalesintheCounting—house。\"
\"Dearme！\"saidthewine—merchant，deepeninginthepinkofhiscomplexionandwhiteninginthewhite，\"arethereseveral？Somanyasseveral？Ihadbetterbeginbeforetherearemore。I’llseethemonebyone，Jarvis，intheorderoftheirarrival。\"
Hastilyentrenchinghimselfinhiseasy—chairatthetablebehindagreatinkstand，havingfirstplacedachairontheothersideofthetableoppositehisownseat，Mr。Wildingenteredonhistaskwithconsiderabletrepidation。
Heranthegauntletthatmustberunonanysuchoccasion。Thereweretheusualspeciesofprofoundlyunsympatheticwomen，andtheusualspeciesofmuchtoosympatheticwomen。Therewerebuccaneeringwidowswhocametoseizehim，andwhogripedumbrellasundertheirarms，asifeachumbrellawerehe，andeachgriperhadgothim。Thereweretoweringmaidenladieswhohadseenbetterdays，andwhocamearmedwithclericaltestimonialstotheirtheology，asifhewereSaintPeterwithhiskeys。Thereweregentlemaidenladieswhocametomarryhim。Therewereprofessionalhousekeepers，likenon—commissionedofficers，whoputhimthroughhisdomesticexercise，insteadofsubmittingthemselvestocatechism。Therewerelanguidinvalids，towhomsalarywasnotsomuchanobjectasthecomfortsofaprivatehospital。Thereweresensitivecreatureswhoburstintotearsonbeingaddressed，andhadtoberestoredwithglassesofcoldwater。Thereweresomerespondentswhocametwotogether，ahighlypromisingoneandawhollyunpromisingone：ofwhomthepromisingoneansweredallquestionscharmingly，untilitwouldatlastappearthatshewasnotacandidateatall，butonlythefriendoftheunpromisingone，whohadgloweredinabsolutesilenceandapparentinjury。
Atlast，whenthegoodwine—merchant’ssimpleheartwasfailinghim，thereenteredanapplicantquitedifferentfromalltherest。A
woman，perhapsfifty，butlookingyounger，withafaceremarkableforplacidcheerfulness，andamannernolessremarkableforitsquietexpressionofequabilityoftemper。Nothinginherdresscouldhavebeenchangedtoheradvantage。Nothinginthenoiselessself—possessionofhermannercouldhavebeenchangedtoheradvantage。Nothingcouldhavebeeninbetterunisonwithboth，thanhervoicewhensheansweredthequestion：\"WhatnameshallIhavethepleasureofnotingdown？\"withthewords，\"MynameisSarahGoldstraw。Mrs。Goldstraw。Myhusbandhasbeendeadmanyyears，andwehadnofamily。\"
Half—a—dozenquestionshadscarcelyextractedasmuchtothepurposefromanyoneelse。ThevoicedweltsoagreeablyonMr。Wilding’searashemadehisnote，thathewasratherlongaboutit。Whenhelookedupagain，Mrs。Goldstraw’sglancehadnaturallygoneroundtheroom，andnowreturnedtohimfromthechimney—piece。Itsexpressionwasoneoffrankreadinesstobequestioned，andtoanswerstraight。
\"Youwillexcusemyaskingyouafewquestions？\"saidthemodestwine—merchant。
\"O，surely，sir。OrIshouldhavenobusinesshere。\"
\"Haveyoufilledthestationofhousekeeperbefore？\"
\"Onlyonce。Ihavelivedwiththesamewidowladyfortwelveyears。
EversinceIlostmyhusband。Shewasaninvalid，andislatelydead：whichistheoccasionofmynowwearingblack。\"
\"Idonotdoubtthatshehasleftyouthebestcredentials？\"saidMr。Wilding。
\"IhopeImaysay，theverybest。Ithoughtitwouldsavetrouble，sir，ifIwrotedownthenameandaddressofherrepresentatives，andbroughtitwithme。\"Layingacardonthetable。
\"Yousingularlyremindme，Mrs。Goldstraw，\"saidWilding，takingthecardbesidehim，\"ofamannerandtoneofvoicethatIwasonceacquaintedwith。Notofanindividual——Ifeelsureofthat，thoughIcannotrecallwhatitisIhaveinmymind——butofageneralbearing。Ioughttoadd，itwasakindandpleasantone。\"
Shesmiled，assherejoined：\"Atleast，Iamverygladofthat，sir。\"
\"Yes，\"saidthewine—merchant，thoughtfullyrepeatinghislastphrase，withamomentaryglanceathisfuturehousekeeper，\"itwasakindandpleasantone。ButthatisthemostIcanmakeofit。
Memoryissometimeslikeahalf—forgottendream。Idon’tknowhowitmayappeartoyou，Mrs。Goldstraw，butsoitappearstome。\"
ProbablyitappearedtoMrs。Goldstrawinasimilarlight，forshequietlyassentedtotheproposition。Mr。Wildingthenofferedtoputhimselfatonceincommunicationwiththegentlemennameduponthecard：afirmofproctorsinDoctors’Commons。Tothis，Mrs。
Goldstrawthankfullyassented。Doctors’Commonsnotbeingfaroff，Mr。WildingsuggestedthefeasibilityofMrs。Goldstraw’slookinginagain，sayinthreehours’time。Mrs。Goldstrawreadilyundertooktodoso。Infine，theresultofMr。Wilding’sinquiriesbeingeminentlysatisfactory，Mrs。Goldstrawwasthatafternoonengaged（onherownperfectlyfairterms）tocometo—morrowandsetupherrestashousekeeperinCrippleCorner。
THEHOUSEKEEPERSPEAKS
OnthenextdayMrs。Goldstrawarrived，toenteronherdomesticduties。
Havingsettledherselfinherownroom，withouttroublingtheservants，andwithoutwastingtime，thenewhousekeeperannouncedherselfaswaitingtobefavouredwithanyinstructionswhichhermastermightwishtogiveher。Thewine—merchantreceivedMrs。
Goldstrawinthedining—room，inwhichhehadseenheronthepreviousday;and，theusualpreliminarycivilitieshavingpassedoneitherside，thetwosatdowntotakecounseltogetherontheaffairsofthehouse。
\"Aboutthemeals，sir？\"saidMrs。Goldstraw。\"HaveIalarge，orasmall，numbertoprovidefor？\"
\"IfIcancarryoutacertainold—fashionedplanofmine，\"repliedMr。Wilding，\"youwillhavealargenumbertoprovidefor。Iamalonelysingleman，Mrs。Goldstraw;andIhopetolivewithallthepersonsinmyemploymentasiftheyweremembersofmyfamily。
Untilthattimecomes，youwillonlyhaveme，andthenewpartnerwhomIexpectimmediately，toprovidefor。Whatmypartner’shabitsmaybe，Icannotyetsay。ButImaydescribemyselfasamanofregularhours，withaninvariableappetitethatyoumaydependupontoanounce。\"
\"Aboutbreakfast，sir？\"askedMrs。Goldstraw。\"Isthereanythingparticular——？\"
Shehesitated，andleftthesentenceunfinished。Hereyesturnedslowlyawayfromhermaster，andlookedtowardsthechimney—piece。
Ifshehadbeenalessexcellentandexperiencedhousekeeper，Mr。
Wildingmighthavefanciedthatherattentionwasbeginningtowanderattheveryoutsetoftheinterview。
\"Eighto’clockismybreakfast—hour，\"heresumed。\"Itisoneofmyvirtuestobenevertiredofbroiledbacon，anditisoneofmyvicestobehabituallysuspiciousofthefreshnessofeggs。\"Mrs。
Goldstrawlookedbackathim，stillalittledividedbetweenhermaster’schimney—pieceandhermaster。\"Itaketea，\"Mr。Wildingwenton;\"andIamperhapsrathernervousandfidgetyaboutdrinkingit，withinacertaintimeafteritismade。Ifmyteastandstoolong——\"
Hehesitated，onhisside，andleftthesentenceunfinished。Ifhehadnotbeenengagedindiscussingasubjectofsuchparamountinteresttohimselfashisbreakfast，Mrs。Goldstrawmighthavefanciedthathisattentionwasbeginningtowanderattheveryoutsetoftheinterview。
\"Ifyourteastandstoolong，sir——？\"saidthehousekeeper，politelytakinguphermaster’slostthread。
\"Ifmyteastandstoolong，\"repeatedthewine—merchantmechanically，hismindgettingfartherandfartherawayfromhisbreakfast，andhiseyesfixingthemselvesmoreandmoreinquiringlyonhishousekeeper’sface。\"Ifmytea——Dear，dearme，Mrs。
Goldstraw！whatISthemannerandtoneofvoicethatyouremindmeof？Itstrikesmeevenmorestronglyto—day，thanitdidwhenIsawyouyesterday。Whatcanitbe？\"
\"Whatcanitbe？\"repeatedMrs。Goldstraw。
Shesaidthewords，evidentlythinkingwhileshespokethemofsomethingelse。Thewine—merchant，stilllookingatherinquiringly，observedthathereyeswanderedtowardsthechimney—
pieceoncemore。Theyfixedontheportraitofhismother，whichhungthere，andlookedatitwiththatslightcontractionofthebrowwhichaccompaniesascarcelyconsciouseffortofmemory。Mr。
Wildingremarked。
\"Mylatedearmother，whenshewasfive—and—twenty。\"
Mrs。Goldstrawthankedhimwithamovementoftheheadforbeingatthepainstoexplainthepicture，andsaid，withaclearedbrow，thatitwastheportraitofaverybeautifullady。
Mr。Wilding，fallingbackintohisformerperplexity，triedoncemoretorecoverthatlostrecollection，associatedsoclosely，andyetsoundiscoverably，withhisnewhousekeeper’svoiceandmanner。
\"Excusemyaskingyouaquestionwhichhasnothingtodowithmeormybreakfast，\"hesaid。\"MayIinquireifyouhaveeveroccupiedanyothersituationthanthesituationofhousekeeper？\"
\"Oyes，sir。IbeganlifeasoneofthenursesattheFoundling。\"
\"Why，that’sit！\"criedthewine—merchant，pushingbackhischair。
\"Byheaven！Theirmanneristhemanneryouremindmeof！\"
Inanastonishedlookathim，Mrs。Goldstrawchangedcolour，checkedherself，turnedhereyesupontheground，andsatstillandsilent。
\"Whatisthematter？\"askedMr。Wilding。
\"DoIunderstandthatyouwereintheFoundling，sir？\"
\"Certainly。Iamnotashamedtoownit。\"
\"Underthenameyounowbear？\"
\"UnderthenameofWalterWilding。\"
\"Andthelady——？\"Mrs。Goldstrawstoppedshortwithalookattheportraitwhichwasnowunmistakablyalookofalarm。
\"Youmeanmymother，\"interruptedMr。Wilding。
\"Your——mother，\"repeatedthehousekeeper，alittleconstrainedly，\"removedyoufromtheFoundling？Atwhatage，sir？\"
\"Atbetweenelevenandtwelveyearsold。It’squitearomanticadventure，Mrs。Goldstraw。\"
Hetoldthestoryoftheladyhavingspokentohim，whilehesatatdinnerwiththeotherboysintheFoundling，andofallthathadfollowedinhisinnocentlycommunicativeway。\"Mypoormothercouldneverhavediscoveredme，\"headded，\"ifshehadnotmetwithoneofthematronswhopitiedher。Thematronconsentedtotouchtheboywhosenamewas’WalterWilding’asshewentroundthedinner—tables—
—andsomymotherdiscoveredmeagain，afterhavingpartedfrommeasaninfantattheFoundlingdoors。\"
AtthosewordsMrs。Goldstraw’shand，restingonthetable，droppedhelplesslyintoherlap。Shesat，lookingathernewmaster，withafacethathadturneddeadlypale，andwitheyesthatexpressedanunutterabledismay。
\"Whatdoesthismean？\"askedthewine—merchant。\"Stop！\"hecried。
\"IstheresomethingelseinthepasttimewhichIoughttoassociatewithyou？IremembermymothertellingmeofanotherpersonattheFoundling，towhosekindnesssheowedadebtofgratitude。Whenshefirstpartedwithme，asaninfant，oneofthenursesinformedherofthenamethathadbeengiventomeintheinstitution。Youwerethatnurse？\"
\"Godforgiveme，sir——Iwasthatnurse！\"
\"Godforgiveyou？\"
\"Wehadbettergetback，sir（ifImaymakesoboldastosayso），tomydutiesinthehouse，\"saidMrs。Goldstraw。\"Yourbreakfast—
houriseight。Doyoulunch，ordine，inthemiddleoftheday？\"
TheexcessivepinknesswhichMr。Bintreyhadnoticedinhisclient’sfacebegantoappearthereoncemore。Mr。Wildingputhishandtohishead，andmasteredsomemomentaryconfusioninthatquarter，beforehespokeagain。
\"Mrs。Goldstraw，\"hesaid，\"youareconcealingsomethingfromme！\"
Thehousekeeperobstinatelyrepeated，\"Pleasetofavourme，sir，bysayingwhetheryoulunch，ordine，inthemiddleoftheday？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatIdointhemiddleoftheday。Ican’tenterintomyhouseholdaffairs，Mrs。Goldstraw，tillIknowwhyyouregretanactofkindnesstomymother，whichshealwaysspokeofgratefullytotheendofherlife。Youarenotdoingmeaservicebyyoursilence。Youareagitatingme，youarealarmingme，youarebringingonthesinginginmyhead。\"
Hishandwentuptohisheadagain，andthepinkinhisfacedeepenedbyashadeortwo。
\"It’shard，sir，onjustenteringyourservice，\"saidthehousekeeper，\"tosaywhatmaycostmethelossofyourgoodwill。
Pleasetoremember，endhowitmay，thatIonlyspeakbecauseyouhaveinsistedonmyspeaking，andbecauseIseethatIamalarmingyoubymysilence。WhenItoldthepoorlady，whoseportraityouhavegotthere，thenamebywhichherinfantwaschristenedintheFoundling，Iallowedmyselftoforgetmyduty，anddreadfulconsequences，Iamafraid，havefollowedfromit。I’lltellyouthetruth，asplainlyasIcan。AfewmonthsfromthetimewhenIhadinformedtheladyofherbaby’sname，therecametoourinstitutioninthecountryanotherlady（astranger），whoseobjectwastoadoptoneofourchildren。Shebroughttheneedfulpermissionwithher，andafterlookingatagreatmanyofthechildren，withoutbeingabletomakeuphermind，shetookasuddenfancytooneofthebabies——aboy——undermycare。Try，praytry，tocomposeyourself，sir！It’snousedisguisingitanylonger。Thechildthestrangertookawaywasthechildofthatladywhoseportraithangsthere！\"
Mr。Wildingstartedtohisfeet。\"Impossible！\"hecriedout，vehemently。\"Whatareyoutalkingabout？Whatabsurdstoryareyoutellingmenow？There’sherportrait！Haven’tItoldyousoalready？Theportraitofmymother！\"
\"WhenthatunhappyladyremovedyoufromtheFoundling，inafteryears，\"saidMrs。Goldstraw，gently，\"shewasthevictim，andyouwerethevictim，sir，ofadreadfulmistake。\"
Hedroppedbackintohischair。\"Theroomgoesroundwithme，\"hesaid。\"Myhead！myhead！\"Thehousekeeperroseinalarm，andopenedthewindows。Beforeshecouldgettothedoortocallforhelp，asuddenburstoftearsrelievedtheoppressionwhichhadatfirstalmostappearedtothreatenhislife。HesignedentreatinglytoMrs。Goldstrawnottoleavehim。Shewaiteduntiltheparoxysmofweepinghadwornitselfout。Heraisedhisheadasherecoveredhimself，andlookedatherwiththeangryunreasoningsuspicionofaweakman。
\"Mistake？\"hesaid，wildlyrepeatingherlastword。\"HowdoIknowyouarenotmistakenyourself？\"
\"ThereisnohopethatIammistaken，sir。Iwilltellyouwhy，whenyouarebetterfittohearit。\"
\"Now！now！\"
ThetoneinwhichhespokewarnedMrs。Goldstrawthatitwouldbecruelkindnesstolethimcomforthimselfamomentlongerwiththevainhopethatshemightbewrong。Afewwordsmorewouldendit，andthosefewwordsshedeterminedtospeak。
\"Ihavetoldyou，\"shesaid，\"thatthechildoftheladywhoseportraithangsthere，wasadoptedinitsinfancy，andtakenawaybyastranger。IamascertainofwhatIsayasthatIamnowsittinghere，obligedtodistressyou，sir，sorelyagainstmywill。Pleasetocarryyourmindon，now，toaboutthreemonthsafterthattime。
IwasthenattheFoundling，inLondon，waitingtotakesomechildrentoourinstitutioninthecountry。Therewasaquestionthatdayaboutnaminganinfant——aboy——whohadjustbeenreceived。
WegenerallynamedthemoutoftheDirectory。Onthisoccasion，oneofthegentlemenwhomanagedtheHospitalhappenedtobelookingovertheRegister。Henoticedthatthenameofthebabywhohadbeenadopted（’WalterWilding’）wasscratchedout——forthereason，ofcourse，thatthechildhadbeenremovedforgoodfromourcare。
’Here’sanametolet，’hesaid。’Giveittothenewfoundlingwhohasbeenreceivedto—day。’Thenamewasgiven，andthechildwaschristened。You，sir，werethatchild。\"
Thewine—merchant’sheaddroppedonhisbreast。\"Iwasthatchild！\"
hesaidtohimself，tryinghelplesslytofixtheideainhismind。
\"Iwasthatchild！\"
\"NotverylongafteryouhadbeenreceivedintotheInstitution，sir，\"pursuedMrs。Goldstraw，\"Ileftmysituationthere，tobemarried。Ifyouwillrememberthat，andifyoucangiveyourmindtoit，youwillseeforyourselfhowthemistakehappened。Betweenelevenandtwelveyearspassedbeforethelady，whomyouhavebelievedtobeyourmother，returnedtotheFoundling，tofindherson，andtoremovehimtoherownhome。Theladyonlyknewthatherinfanthadbeencalled’WalterWilding。’Thematronwhotookpityonher，couldbutpointouttheonly’WalterWilding’knownintheInstitution。I，whomighthavesetthematterright，wasfarawayfromtheFoundlingandallthatbelongedtoit。Therewasnothing——
therewasreallynothingthatcouldpreventthisterriblemistakefromtakingplace。Ifeelforyou——Idoindeed，sir！Youmustthink——andwithreason——thatitwasinanevilhourthatIcamehere（innocentlyenough，I’msure），toapplyforyourhousekeeper’splace。IfeelasifIwastoblame——IfeelasifIoughttohavehadmoreself—command。IfIhadonlybeenabletokeepmyfacefromshowingyouwhatthatportraitandwhatyourownwordsputintomymind，youneednever，toyourdyingday，haveknownwhatyouknownow。\"
Mr。Wildinglookedupsuddenly。Theinbredhonestyofthemanroseinprotestagainstthehousekeeper’slastwords。Hismindseemedtosteadyitself，forthemoment，undertheshockthathadfallenonit。
\"Doyoumeantosaythatyouwouldhaveconcealedthisfrommeifyoucould？\"heexclaimed。
\"IhopeIshouldalwaystellthetruth，sir，ifIwasasked，\"saidMrs。Goldstraw。\"AndIknowitisbetterforMEthatIshouldnothaveasecretofthissortweighingonmymind。ButisitbetterforYOU？Whatusecanitservenow—？\"
\"Whatuse？Why，goodLord！ifyourstoryistrue——\"
\"ShouldIhavetoldit，sir，asIamnowsituated，ifithadnotbeentrue？\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidthewine—merchant。\"Youmustmakeallowanceforme。ThisdreadfuldiscoveryissomethingIcan’trealiseevenyet。Welovedeachothersodearly——IfeltsofondlythatIwasherson。Shedied，Mrs。Goldstraw，inmyarms——shediedblessingmeasonlyamotherCOULDhaveblessedme。Andnow，afteralltheseyears，tobetoldshewasNOTmymother！Ome，Ome！I
don’tknowwhatIamsaying！\"hecried，astheimpulseofself—
controlunderwhichhehadspokenamomentsince，flickered，anddiedout。\"Itwasnotthisdreadfulgrief——itwassomethingelsethatIhaditinmymindtospeakof。Yes，yes。Yousurprisedme——
youwoundedmejustnow。Youtalkedasifyouwouldhavehiddenthisfromme，ifyoucould。Don’ttalkinthatwayagain。Itwouldhavebeenacrimetohavehiddenit。Youmeanwell，Iknow。I
don’twanttodistressyou——youareakind—heartedwoman。Butyoudon’trememberwhatmypositionis。SheleftmeallthatIpossess，inthefirmpersuasionthatIwasherson。Iamnotherson。I
havetakentheplace，Ihaveinnocentlygottheinheritanceofanotherman。Hemustbefound！HowdoIknowheisnotatthismomentinmisery，withoutbreadtoeat？Hemustbefound！Myonlyhopeofbearingupagainsttheshockthathasfallenonme，isthehopeofdoingsomethingwhichSHEwouldhaveapproved。Youmustknowmore，Mrs。Goldstraw，thanyouhavetoldmeyet。Whowasthestrangerwhoadoptedthechild？Youmusthaveheardthelady’sname？\"
\"Ineverheardit，sir。Ihaveneverseenher，orheardofher，since。\"
\"Didshesaynothingwhenshetookthechildaway？Searchyourmemory。Shemusthavesaidsomething。\"
\"Onlyonething，sir，thatIcanremember。Itwasamiserablybadseason，thatyear;andmanyofthechildrenweresufferingfromit。