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quite at your service。”
We understood from what followed that Mr Skimpole was to be
left until the morning to occupy the two places which had been
already paid for。 As Ada and I were both in low spirits concerning
Richard； and very sorry so to part with him； we made it as plain as
we politely could that we should leave Mr Skimpole to the Dedlock
Arms； and retire when the night…travellers were gone。
Richard’s high spirits carrying everything before them； we all
went out together to the top of the hill above the village； where he
had ordered a gig to wait； and where we found a man with a
lantern standing at the head of gaunt pale horse that had been
harnessed to it。
I never shall forget those two seated side by side in the lantern’s
light； Richard all flush and fire and laughter； with the reins in his
hand； Mr Vholes； quite still； black…gloved； and buttoned up；
looking at him as if he were looking at his prey and charming it。 I
have before me the whole picture of the warm dark night； the
summer lightning； the dusty track of road closed in by hedgerows
and high trees； the gaunt pale horse with his ears pricked up； and
the driving away at speed to Jarndyce and Jarndyce。
My dear girl told me； that night； how Richard’s being thereafter
prosperous or ruined； befriended or deserted； could only make
this difference to her； that the more he needed love from one
unchanging heart； the more love that unchanging heart would
have to give him； how he thought of her through his present
errors； and she would think of him at all times； never of herself； if
she could devote herself to him： never of her own delights； if she
could minister to his。
And she kept her word？
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Bleak House 738
I looked along the road before me； where the distance already
shortens and the journey’s end is growing visible； and； true and
good above the dead sea of the Chancery suits； and all the ashey
fruit it casts ashore； I think I see my darling。
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Chapter 38
A Struggle
hen our time came for returning to Bleak House again；
Wwe were punctual to the day； and were received with an
overpowering welcome。 I was perfectly restored to
health and strength； and finding my housekeeping keys laid ready
for me in my room； rang myself in as if I had been a new year； with
a merry little peal。 “Once more； duty； duty； Esther；” said I； “and if
you are not overjoyed to do it； more than cheerfully and
contentedly； through anything and everything； you ought to be。
That’s all I have to say to you； my dear！”
The first few mornings were mornings of so much bustle and
business； devoted to such settlements of accounts； such repeated
journeys to and fro between the Growlery and all other parts of
the house； so many rearrangements of drawers and presses； and
such a general new beginning altogether； that I had not a
moment’s leisure。 But when these arrangements were completed；
and everything was in order； I paid a visit of a few hours to
London； which something in the letter I had destroyed at Chesney
Wold had induced me to decide upon in my own mind。
I made Caddy Jellyby—her maiden name was so natural to me
that I always called her by it—the pretext for this visit； and wrote
her a note previously； asking the favour of her company on a little
business expedition。 Leaving home very early in the morning； I
got to London by stage…coach in such good time； that I walked to
Newman Street with the day before me。
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Caddy； who had not seen me since her wedding day； was so
glad and so affectionate that I was half inclined to fear I should
make her husband jealous。 But he was； in his way； just as bad—I
mean as good； and in short it was the old story； and nobody would
leave me any possibility of doing anything meritorious。
The elder Mr Turveydrop was in bed； I found； and Caddy was
milling his chocolate； which a melancholy little boy who was an
apprentice—it seemed such a curious thing to be apprenticed to
the trade of dancing—was waiting to carry upstairs。 Her father…in…
law was extremely kind and considerate； Caddy told me； and they
lived most happily together。 （When she spoke of their living
together； she meant that the old gentleman had all the good things
and all the good lodging； while she and her husband had what
they could get； and were poked into two corner rooms over the
Mews。） “And how is your mama； Caddy？” said I。
“Why； I hear of her； Esther；” replied Caddy； “through Pa； but I
see very little of her。 We are good friends； I am glad to say； but Ma
thinks there is something absurd in my having married a dancing…
master； and she is rather afraid of its extending to her。”
It struck me that if Mrs Jellyby had discharged her own natural
duties and obligations； before she swept the horizon with a
telescope in search of others； she would have taken the best
precautions against becoming absurd； but I need scarcely observe
that I kept this to myself。
“And your papa； Caddy？”
“He comes here every evening；” returned Caddy； “and is so
fond of sitting in the corner there； that it’s a treat to see him。”
Looking at the corner； I plainly perceived the mark of Mr
Jellyby’s head against the wall。 It was consolatory to know that he
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had found such a resting…place for it。
“And you； Caddy；” said I； “you are always busy； I’ll be bound？”
“Well； my dear；” returned Caddy； “I am indeed； for to tell you a
grand secret； I am qualifying myself to give lessons。 Prince’s
health is not strong and I want to be able to assist him。 What with
schools； and classes here； and private pupils； and the apprentices；
he really has too much to do； poor fellow！”
The notion of the apprentices was still so odd to me； that I
asked Caddy； if there were many of them？
“Four；” said Caddy。 “One indoor； and three out。 They are very
good children； only when they get together they will play—
children…like—instead of attending to their work。 So the little boy
you saw just now waltzes by himself in the empty kitchen； and we
distribute the others as well as we can。”
“That is only for their steps； of course？” said I。
“Only for their steps；” said Caddy。 “In that way they practise so
many hours at a time； whatever steps they happen to be upon。
They dance in the academy； and at this time of year we do Figures
at five every morning。”
“Why； what a laborious life！” I exclaimed。
“I assure you； my dear；” returned Caddy； smiling； “when the
outdoor apprentices ring us up in the morning （the bell rings into
our room； not to disturb old Mr Turveydrop）； and when I put up
the window； and see them standing on the doorstep with their
little pumps under their arms； I am actually reminded of the
Sweeps。”
All this presented the art to me in a singular light； to be sure。
Caddy enjoyed the effect of her communication； and cheerfully
recounted the particulars of her own studies。
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Bleak House 742
“You see； my dear； to save expense； I ought to know something
of the Piano； and I ought to know something of the Kit too； and
consequently I have to practise those two instruments as well as
the details of our profession。 If Ma had been like anybody else； I
might have had some little musical knowledge to begin upon。
However； I hadn’t any； and that part of the work is； at first； a little
discouraging； I must allow。 But I have a very good ear； and I am
used to drudgery—I have to thank Ma for that； at all events—and
where there’s a will there’s a way； you know； Esther； the world
over。” Saying these words； Caddy laughingly sat down at a little
jingling square piano； and really rattled off a quadrille with great
spirit。 Then she good…humouredly and
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