Wehadoursigns，too，andtheywashundredsinnumber。Sometimesshewouldsitlookingatmeandconsideringhardhowtocommunicatewithmeaboutsomethingfresh，——howtoaskmewhatshewantedexplained，——andthenshewas（orIthoughtshewas；whatdoesitsignify？）solikemychildwiththoseyearsaddedtoher，thatI
half—believeditwasherself，tryingtotellmewhereshehadbeentoupintheskies，andwhatshehadseensincethatunhappynightwhenshefliedaway。Shehadaprettyface，andnowthattherewasnoonetodragatherbrightdarkhair，anditwasallinorder，therewasasomethingtouchinginherlooksthatmadethecartmostpeacefulandmostquiet，thoughnotatallmelancholy。[N。B。IntheCheapJackpatter，wegenerallysounditlemonjolly，anditgetsalaugh。]
Thewayshelearnttounderstandanylookofminewastrulysurprising。WhenIsoldofanight，shewouldsitinthecartunseenbythemoutside，andwouldgiveaeagerlookintomyeyeswhenIlookedin，andwouldhandmestraighttheprecisearticleorarticlesIwanted。Andthenshewouldclapherhands，andlaughforjoy。Andasforme，seeinghersobright，andrememberingwhatshewaswhenIfirstlightedonher，starvedandbeatenandragged，leaningasleepagainstthemuddycart—wheel，itgivemesuchheartthatIgainedagreaterheighthofreputationthanever，andIputPicklesondown（bythenameofMim’sTravellingGiantotherwisePickleson）forafypunnoteinmywill。
Thishappinesswentoninthecarttillshewassixteenyearold。
BywhichtimeIbegantofeelnotsatisfiedthatIhaddonemywholedutybyher，andtoconsiderthatsheoughttohavebetterteachingthanIcouldgiveher。ItdrewamanytearsonbothsideswhenI
commencedexplainingmyviewstoher；butwhat’srightisright，andyoucan’tneitherbytearsnorlaughterdoawaywithitscharacter。
SoItookherhandinmine，andIwentwithheronedaytotheDeafandDumbEstablishmentinLondon，andwhenthegentlemancometospeaktous，Isaystohim：\"NowI’lltellyouwhatI’lldowithyou，sir。IamnothingbutaCheapJack，butoflateyearsIhavelaidbyforarainydaynotwithstanding。Thisismyonlydaughter（adopted），andyoucan’tproduceadeafernoradumber。Teachherthemostthatcanbetaughtherintheshortestseparationthatcanbenamed，——statethefigureforit，——andIamgametoputthemoneydown。Iwon’tbateyouasinglefarthing，sir，butI’llputdownthemoneyhereandnow，andI’llthankfullythrowyouinapoundtotakeit。There！\"Thegentlemansmiled，andthen，\"Well，well，\"
sayshe，\"Imustfirstknowwhatshehaslearnedalready。Howdoyoucommunicatewithher？\"ThenIshowedhim，andshewroteinprintedwritingmanynamesofthingsandsoforth；andweheldsomesprightlyconversation，Sophyandme，aboutalittlestoryinabookwhichthegentlemanshowedher，andwhichshewasabletoread。
\"Thisismostextraordinary，\"saysthegentleman；\"isitpossiblethatyouhavebeenheronlyteacher？\"\"Ihavebeenheronlyteacher，sir，\"Isays，\"besidesherself。\"\"Then，\"saysthegentleman，andmoreacceptablewordswasneverspoketome，\"you’reacleverfellow，andagoodfellow。\"ThishemakesknowntoSophy，whokisseshishands，clapsherown，andlaughsandcriesuponit。
Wesawthegentlemanfourtimesinall，andwhenhetookdownmynameandaskedhowintheworlditeverchancedtobeDoctor，itcomeoutthathewasownnephewbythesister’sside，ifyou’llbelieveme，totheveryDoctorthatIwascalledafter。Thismadeourfootingstilleasier，andhesaystome：
\"Now，Marigold，tellmewhatmoredoyouwantyouradopteddaughtertoknow？\"
\"Iwanther，sir，tobecutofffromtheworldaslittleascanbe，consideringherdeprivations，andthereforetobeabletoreadwhateveriswrotewithperfecteaseandpleasure。\"
\"Mygoodfellow，\"urgesthegentleman，openinghiseyeswide，\"whyI
can’tdothatmyself！\"
Itookhisjoke，andgavehimalaugh（knowingbyexperiencehowflatyoufallwithoutit），andImendedmywordsaccordingly。
\"Whatdoyoumeantodowithherafterwards？\"asksthegentleman，withasortofadoubtfuleye。\"Totakeheraboutthecountry？\"
\"Inthecart，sir，butonlyinthecart。Shewillliveaprivatelife，youunderstand，inthecart。Ishouldneverthinkofbringingherinfirmitiesbeforethepublic。Iwouldn’tmakeashowofherforanymoney。\"
Thegentlemannodded，andseemedtoapprove。
\"Well，\"sayshe，\"canyoupartwithherfortwoyears？\"
\"Todoherthatgood，——yes，sir。\"
\"There’sanotherquestion，\"saysthegentleman，lookingtowardsher，——\"canshepartwithyoufortwoyears？\"
Idon’tknowthatitwasahardermatterofitself（fortheotherwashardenoughtome），butitwashardertogetover。However，shewaspacifiedtoitatlast，andtheseparationbetwixtuswassettled。Howitcutupbothofuswhenittookplace，andwhenI
leftheratthedoorinthedarkofanevening，Idon’ttell。ButI
knowthis；rememberingthatnight，Ishallneverpassthatsameestablishmentwithoutaheartacheandaswellinginthethroat；andIcouldn’tputyouupthebestoflotsinsightofitwithmyusualspirit，——no，noteventhegun，northepairofspectacles，——forfivehundredpoundrewardfromtheSecretaryofStatefortheHomeDepartment，andthrowinthehonourofputtingmylegsunderhismahoganyarterwards。
Still，thelonelinessthatfollowedinthecartwasnottheoldloneliness，becausetherewasatermputtoit，howeverlongtolookforwardto；andbecauseIcouldthink，whenIwasanywaysdown，thatshebelongedtomeandIbelongedtoher。Alwaysplanningforhercomingback，Iboughtinafewmonths’timeanothercart，andwhatdoyouthinkIplannedtodowithit？I’lltellyou。Iplannedtofititupwithshelvesandbooksforherreading，andtohaveaseatinitwhereIcouldsitandseeherread，andthinkthatIhadbeenherfirstteacher。Nothurryingoverthejob，Ihadthefittingsknockedtogetherincontrivingwaysundermyowninspection，andherewasherbedinaberthwithcurtains，andtherewasherreading—table，andherewasherwriting—desk，andelsewherewasherbooksinrowsuponrows，pictersandnopicters，bindingsandnobindings，gilt—edgedandplain，justasIcouldpick’emupforherinlotsupanddownthecountry，NorthandSouthandWestandEast，Windslikedbestandwindslikedleast，Hereandthereandgoneastray，Overthehillsandfaraway。AndwhenIhadgottogetherprettywellasmanybooksasthecartwouldneatlyhold，anewschemecomeintomyhead，which，asitturnedout，keptmytimeandattentionagooddealemployed，andhelpedmeoverthetwoyears’
stile。
Withoutbeingofanawaricioustemper，Iliketobetheownerofthings。Ishouldn’twish，forinstance，togopartnerswithyourselfintheCheapJackcart。It’snotthatImistrustyou，butthatI’dratherknowitwasmine。Similarly，verylikelyyou’dratherknowitwasyours。Well！AkindofajealousybegantocreepintomymindwhenIreflectedthatallthosebookswouldhavebeenreadbyotherpeoplelongbeforetheywasreadbyher。Itseemedtotakeawayfromherbeingtheownerof’emlike。Inthisway，thequestiongotintomyhead：Couldn’tIhaveabooknew—madeexpressforher，whichsheshouldbethefirsttoread？
Itpleasedme，thatthoughtdid；andasIneverwasamantoletathoughtsleep（youmustwakeupallthewholefamilyofthoughtsyou’vegotandburntheirnightcaps，oryouwon’tdointheCheapJackline），Isettoworkatit。ConsideringthatIwasinthehabitofchangingsomuchaboutthecountry，andthatIshouldhavetofindoutaliterarycharacterheretomakeadealwith，andanotherliterarycharactertheretomakeadealwith，asopportunitiespresented，Ihitontheplanthatthissamebookshouldbeageneralmiscellaneouslot，——liketherazors，flat—iron，chronometerwatch，dinnerplates，rolling—pin，andlooking—glass，——
andshouldn’tbeofferedasasingleindiwidualarticle，likethespectaclesorthegun。WhenIhadcometothatconclusion，Icometoanother，whichshalllikewisebeyours。
OftenhadIregrettedthatsheneverhadheardmeonthefootboard，andthatshenevercouldhearme。Itain’tthatIamvain，butthatYOUdon’tliketoputyourownlightunderabushel。What’stheworthofyourreputation，ifyoucan’tconveythereasonforittothepersonyoumostwishtovalueit？NowI’llputittoyou。Isitworthsixpence，fippence，fourpence，threepence，twopence，apenny，ahalfpenny，afarthing？No，itain’t。Notworthafarthing。Verywell，then。MyconclusionwasthatIwouldbeginherbookwithsomeaccountofmyself。Sothat，throughreadingaspecimenortwoofmeonthefootboard，shemightformanideaofmymeritsthere。IwasawarethatIcouldn’tdomyselfjustice。Amancan’twritehiseye（atleastIdon’tknowhowto），noryetcanamanwritehisvoice，northerateofhistalk，northequicknessofhisaction，norhisgeneralspicyway。Buthecanwritehisturnsofspeech，whenheisapublicspeaker，——andindeedIhaveheardthatheveryoftendoes，beforehespeaks’em。
Well！Havingformedthatresolution，thencomethequestionofaname。HowdidIhammerthathotironintoshape？Thisway。ThemostdifficultexplanationIhadeverhadwithherwas，howIcometobecalledDoctor，andyetwasnoDoctor。Afterall，IfeltthatIhadfailedofgettingitcorrectlyintohermind，withmyutmostpains。Buttrustingtoherimprovementinthetwoyears，IthoughtthatImighttrusttoherunderstandingitwhensheshouldcometoreaditasputdownbymyownhand。ThenIthoughtIwouldtryajokewithherandwatchhowittook，bywhichofitselfImightfullyjudgeofherunderstandingit。Wehadfirstdiscoveredthemistakewehaddroppedinto，throughherhavingaskedmetoprescribeforherwhenshehadsupposedmetobeaDoctorinamedicalpointofview；sothinksI，\"Now，ifIgivethisbookthenameofmyPrescriptions，andifshecatchestheideathatmyonlyPrescriptionsareforheramusementandinterest，——tomakeherlaughinapleasantway，ortomakehercryinapleasantway，——itwillbeadelightfulprooftobothofusthatwehavegotoverourdifficulty。\"Itfellouttoabsoluteperfection。Forwhenshesawthebook，asIhaditgotup，——theprintedandpressedbook，——lyingonherdeskinhercart，andsawthetitle，DOCTORMARIGOLD’S
PRESCRIPTIONS，shelookedatmeforamomentwithastonishment，thenflutteredtheleaves，thenbrokeoutalaughinginthecharmingestway，thenfeltherpulseandshookherhead，thenturnedthepagespretendingtoreadthemmostattentive，thenkissedthebooktome，andputittoherbosomwithbothherhands。Ineverwasbetterpleasedinallmylife！
Butletmenotanticipate。（ItakethatexpressionoutofalotofromancesIboughtforher。Ineveropenedasingleoneof’em——andIhaveopenedmany——butIfoundtheromancersaying\"letmenotanticipate。\"Whichbeingso，Iwonderwhyhedidanticipate，orwhoaskedhimtoit。）Letmenot，Isay，anticipate。Thissamebooktookupallmysparetime。Itwasnoplaytogettheotherarticlestogetherinthegeneralmiscellaneouslot，butwhenitcometomyownarticle！There！Icouldn’thavebelievedtheblotting，noryetthebucklingtoatit，northepatienceoverit。Whichagainislikethefootboard。Thepublichavenoidea。
Atlastitwasdone，andthetwoyears’timewasgoneafteralltheothertimebeforeit，andwhereit’sallgoneto，whoknows？Thenewcartwasfinished，——yellowoutside，relievedwithwermilionandbrassfittings，——theoldhorsewasputinit，anew’unandaboybeinglaidonfortheCheapJackcart，——andIcleanedmyselfuptogoandfetchher。Brightcoldweatheritwas，cart—chimneyssmoking，cartspitchedprivateonapieceofwastegroundoveratWandsworth，whereyoumaysee’emfromtheSou’westernRailwaywhennotupontheroad。（Lookoutoftheright—handwindowgoingdown。）
\"Marigold，\"saysthegentleman，givinghishandhearty，\"Iamverygladtoseeyou。\"
\"YetIhavemydoubts，sir，\"saysI，\"ifyoucanbehalfasgladtoseemeasIamtoseeyou。\"
\"Thetimehasappearedsolong，——hasit，Marigold？\"
\"Iwon’tsaythat，sir，consideringitsreallength；but——\"
\"Whatastart，mygoodfellow！\"
Ah！Ishouldthinkitwas！Grownsuchawoman，sopretty，sointelligent，soexpressive！Iknewthenthatshemustbereallylikemychild，orIcouldneverhaveknownher，standingquietbythedoor。
\"Youareaffected，\"saysthegentlemaninakindlymanner。
\"Ifeel，sir，\"saysI，\"thatIambutaroughchapinasleevedwaistcoat。\"
\"Ifeel，\"saysthegentleman，\"thatitwasyouwhoraisedherfrommiseryanddegradation，andbroughtherintocommunicationwithherkind。Butwhydoweconversealonetogether，whenwecanconversesowellwithher？Addressherinyourownway。\"
\"Iamsucharoughchapinasleevedwaistcoat，sir，\"saysI，\"andsheissuchagracefulwoman，andshestandssoquietatthedoor！\"
\"TRYifshemovesattheoldsign，\"saysthegentleman。
Theyhadgotituptogethero’purposetopleaseme！ForwhenI
givehertheoldsign，sherushedtomyfeet，anddroppeduponherknees，holdingupherhandstomewithpouringtearsofloveandjoy；andwhenItookherhandsandliftedher，sheclaspedmeroundtheneck，andlaythere；andIdon’tknowwhatafoolIdidn’tmakeofmyself，untilweallthreesettleddownintotalkingwithoutsound，asiftherewasasomethingsoftandpleasantspreadoverthewholeworldforus。
[Aportionishereomittedfromthetext，havingreferencetothesketchescontributedbyotherwriters；butthereaderwillbepleasedtohavewhatfollowsretainedinanote：
\"NowI’lltellyouwhatIama—goingtodowithyou。Iama—goingtoofferyouthegeneralmiscellaneouslot，herownbook，neverreadbyanybodyelsebutme，addedtoandcompletedbymeafterherfirstreadingofit，eight—and—fortyprintedpages，six—and—ninetycolumns，Whiting’sownwork，BeaufortHousetowit，thrownoffbythesteam—ingine，bestofpaper，beautifulgreenwrapper，foldedlikecleanlinencomehomefromtheclear—starcher’s，andsoexquisitelystitchedthat，regardedasapieceofneedleworkalone，it’sbetterthanthesamplerofaseamstressundergoingaCompetitiveexaminationforStarvationbeforetheCivilServiceCommissioners——andIofferthelotforwhat？Foreightpound？Notsomuch。Forsixpound？Less。Forfourpound。Why，Ihardlyexpectyoutobelieveme，butthat’sthesum。Fourpound！Thestitchingalonecosthalfasmuchagain。Here’sforty—eightoriginalpages，ninety—sixoriginalcolumns，forfourpound。Youwantmoreforthemoney？Takeit。Threewholepagesofadvertisementsofthrillinginterestthrowninfornothing。Read’emandbelieve’em。More？MybestofwishesforyourmerryChristmasesandyourhappyNewYears，yourlonglivesandyourtrueprosperities。WorthtwentypoundgoodiftheyaredeliveredasI
sendthem。Remember！Here’safinalprescriptionadded，\"Tobetakenforlife，\"whichwilltellyouhowthecartbrokedown，andwherethejourneyended。YouthinkFourPoundtoomuch？Andstillyouthinkso？Come！I’lltellyouwhatthen。SayFourPence，andkeepthesecret。\"]
Soeveryitemofmyplanwascrownedwithsuccess。Ourreunitedlifewasmorethanallthatwehadlookedforwardto。Contentandjoywentwithusasthewheelsofthetwocartswentround，andthesamestoppedwithuswhenthetwocartsstopped。IwasaspleasedandasproudasaPug—Dogwithhismuzzleblack—leadedforaeveningparty，andhistailextracurledbymachinery。
ButIhadleftsomethingoutofmycalculations。Now，whathadI
leftout？TohelpyoutoguessI’llsay，afigure。Come。Makeaguessandguessright。Nought？No。Nine？No。Eight？No。
Seven？No。Six？No。Five？No。Four？No。Three？No。Two？
No。One？No。NowI’lltellyouwhatI’lldowithyou。I’llsayit’sanothersortoffigurealtogether。There。Whythen，saysyou，it’samortalfigure。No，noryetamortalfigure。Bysuchmeansyougotyourselfpennedintoacorner，andyoucan’thelpguessingaIMmortalfigure。That’saboutit。Whydidn’tyousaysosooner？
Yes。ItwasaimmortalfigurethatIhadaltogetherleftoutofmyCalculations。Neitherman’s，norwoman’s，butachild’s。Girl’sorboy’s？Boy’s。\"I，saysthesparrowwithmybowandarrow。\"Nowyouhavegotit。
WeweredownatLancaster，andIhaddonetwonightsmorethanfairaveragebusiness（thoughIcannotinhonourrecommendthemasaquickaudience）intheopensquarethere，neartheendofthestreetwhereMr。Sly’sKing’sArmsandRoyalHotelstands。Mim’stravellinggiant，otherwisePickleson，happenedattheself—sametimetobetryingitoninthetown。Thegenteellaywasadoptedwithhim。Nohintofavan。GreenbaizealcoveleadinguptoPicklesoninaAuctionRoom。Printedposter，\"Freelistsuspended，withtheexceptionofthatproudboastofanenlightenedcountry，afreepress。Schoolsadmittedbyprivatearrangement。Nothingtoraiseablushinthecheekofyouthorshockthemostfastidious。\"
Mimswearingmosthorribleandterrific，inapinkcalicopay—place，attheslacknessofthepublic。Serioushandbillintheshops，importingthatitwasallbutimpossibletocometoarightunderstandingofthehistoryofDavidwithoutseeingPickleson。
IwenttotheAuctionRoominquestion，andIfounditentirelyemptyofeverythingbutechoesandmouldiness，withthesingleexceptionofPicklesononapieceofreddrugget。Thissuitedmypurpose，asIwantedaprivateandconfidentialwordwithhim，whichwas：\"Pickleson。Owingmuchhappinesstoyou，Iputyouinmywillforafypunnote；but，tosavetrouble，here’sfourpuntendown，whichmayequallysuityourviews，andletussoconcludethetransaction。\"Pickleson，whouptothatremarkhadhadthedejectedappearanceofalongRomanrushlightthatcouldn’tanyhowgetlighted，brightenedupathistopextremity，andmadehisacknowledgmentsinawaywhich（forhim）wasparliamentaryeloquence。Helikewisedidadd，that，havingceasedtodrawasaRoman，MimhadmadeproposalsforhisgoinginasaconwertedIndianGiantworkeduponbyTheDairyman’sDaughter。This，Pickleson，havingnoacquaintancewiththetractnamedafterthatyoungwoman，andnotbeingwillingtocouplegagwithhisseriousviews，haddeclinedtodo，therebyleadingtowordsandthetotalstoppageoftheunfortunateyoungman’sbeer。Allofwhich，duringthewholeoftheinterview，wasconfirmedbytheferociousgrowlingofMimdownbelowinthepay—place，whichshookthegiantlikealeaf。
Butwhatwastothepresentpointintheremarksofthetravellinggiant，otherwisePickleson，wasthis：\"DoctorMarigold，\"——Igivehiswordswithoutahopeofconweyingtheirfeebleness，——\"whoisthestrangeyoungmanthathangsaboutyourcarts？\"——\"ThestrangeyoungMAN？\"Igiveshimback，thinkingthathemeanther，andhislanguidcirculationhaddroppedasyllable。\"Doctor，\"hereturns，withapathoscalculatedtodrawatearfromevenamanlyeye，\"Iamweak，butnotsoweakyetasthatIdon’tknowmywords。Irepeatthem，Doctor。Thestrangeyoungman。\"ItthenappearedthatPickleson，beingforcedtostretchhislegs（notthattheywantedit）onlyattimeswhenhecouldn’tbeseenfornothing，towitinthedeadofthenightandtowardsdaybreak，hadtwiceseenhangingaboutmycarts，inthatsametownofLancasterwhereIhadbeenonlytwonights，thissameunknownyoungman。
Itputmeratheroutofsorts。WhatitmeantastoparticularsInomoreforebodedthenthanyouforebodenow，butitputmeratheroutofsorts。Howsoever，ImadelightofittoPickleson，andItookleaveofPickleson，advisinghimtospendhislegacyingettinguphisstamina，andtocontinuetostandbyhisreligion。TowardsmorningIkeptalookoutforthestrangeyoungman，and——whatwasmore——Isawthestrangeyoungman。Hewaswelldressedandwelllooking。Heloiteredverynighmycarts，watchingthemlikeasifhewastakingcareofthem，andsoonafterdaybreakturnedandwentaway。Isentahailafterhim，butheneverstartedorlookedround，ortookthesmallestnotice。
WeleftLancasterwithinanhourortwo，onourwaytowardsCarlisle。Nextmorning，atdaybreak，Ilookedoutagainforthestrangeyoungman。Ididnotseehim。ButnextmorningIlookedoutagain，andtherehewasoncemore。Isentanotherhailafterhim，butasbeforehegavenottheslightestsignofbeinganywaysdisturbed。Thisputathoughtintomyhead。ActingonitIwatchedhimindifferentmannersandatdifferenttimesnotnecessarytoenterinto，tillIfoundthatthisstrangeyoungmanwasdeafanddumb。
Thediscoveryturnedmeover，becauseIknewthatapartofthatestablishmentwhereshehadbeenwasallottedtoyoungmen（someofthemwelloff），andIthoughttomyself，\"Ifshefavourshim，whereamI？andwhereisallthatIhaveworkedandplannedfor？\"Hoping—
—Imustconfesstotheselfishness——thatshemightNOTfavourhim，I
setmyselftofindout。AtlastIwasbyaccidentpresentatameetingbetweenthemintheopenair，lookingonleaningbehindafir—treewithouttheirknowingofit。Itwasamovingmeetingforallthethreepartiesconcerned。Ikneweverysyllablethatpassedbetweenthemaswellastheydid。Ilistenedwithmyeyes，whichhadcometobeasquickandtruewithdeafanddumbconversationasmyearswiththetalkofpeoplethatcanspeak。Hewasa—goingouttoChinaasclerkinamerchant’shouse，whichhisfatherhadbeenbeforehim。Hewasincircumstancestokeepawife，andhewantedhertomarryhimandgoalongwithhim。Shepersisted，no。Heaskedifshedidn’tlovehim。Yes，shelovedhimdearly，dearly；
butshecouldneverdisappointherbeloved，good，noble，generous，andI—don’t—know—what—allfather（meaningme，theCheapJackinthesleevedwaistcoat）andshewouldstaywithhim，Heavenblesshim！
thoughitwastobreakherheart。Thenshecriedmostbitterly，andthatmadeupmymind。
Whilemymindhadbeeninanunsettledstateaboutherfavouringthisyoungman，IhadfeltthatunreasonabletowardsPickleson，thatitwaswellforhimhehadgothislegacydown。ForIoftenthought，\"Ifithadn’tbeenforthissameweak—mindedgiant，Imightneverhavecometotroublemyheadandwexmysoulabouttheyoungman。\"But，oncethatIknewshelovedhim，——oncethatIhadseenherweepforhim，——itwasadifferentthing。ImadeitrightinmymindwithPicklesononthespot，andIshookmyselftogethertodowhatwasrightbyall。
Shehadlefttheyoungmanbythattime（forittookafewminutestogetmethoroughlywellshooktogether），andtheyoungmanwasleaningagainstanotherofthefir—trees，——ofwhichtherewasacluster，—withhisfaceuponhisarm。Itouchedhimontheback。
Lookingupandseeingme，hesays，inourdeaf—and—dumbtalk，\"Donotbeangry。\"
\"Iamnotangry，goodboy。Iamyourfriend。Comewithme。\"
IlefthimatthefootofthestepsoftheLibraryCart，andIwentupalone。Shewasdryinghereyes。
\"Youhavebeencrying，mydear。\"
\"Yes，father。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Aheadache。\"
\"Notaheartache？\"
\"Isaidaheadache，father。\"
\"DoctorMarigoldmustprescribeforthatheadache。\"
ShetookupthebookofmyPrescriptions，andhelditupwithaforcedsmile；butseeingmekeepstillandlookearnest，shesoftlylaiditdownagain，andhereyeswereveryattentive。
\"ThePrescriptionisnotthere，Sophy。\"
\"Whereisit？\"
\"Here，mydear。\"
Ibroughtheryounghusbandin，andIputherhandinhis，andmyonlyfartherwordstobothofthemwerethese：\"DoctorMarigold’slastPrescription。Tobetakenforlife。\"AfterwhichIbolted。
Whentheweddingcomeoff，Imountedacoat（blue，andbrightbuttons），forthefirstandlasttimeinallmydays，andIgiveSophyawaywithmyownhand。Therewereonlyusthreeandthegentlemanwhohadhadchargeofherforthosetwoyears。IgivetheweddingdinneroffourintheLibraryCart。Pigeon—pie，alegofpickledpork，apairoffowls，andsuitablegardenstuff。Thebestofdrinks。Igivethemaspeech，andthegentlemangiveusaspeech，andallourjokestold，andthewholewentofflikeasky—
rocket。InthecourseoftheentertainmentIexplainedtoSophythatIshouldkeeptheLibraryCartasmyliving—cartwhennotupontheroad，andthatIshouldkeepallherbooksforherjustastheystood，tillshecomebacktoclaimthem。SoshewenttoChinawithheryounghusband，anditwasapartingsorrowfulandheavy，andI
gottheboyIhadanotherservice；andsoasofold，whenmychildandwifeweregone，Iwentploddingalongalone，withmywhipovermyshoulder，attheoldhorse’shead。
Sophywrotememanyletters，andIwrotehermanyletters。Abouttheendofthefirstyearshesentmeoneinanunsteadyhand：
\"Dearestfather，notaweekagoIhadadarlinglittledaughter，butIamsowellthattheyletmewritethesewordstoyou。Dearestandbestfather，Ihopemychildmaynotbedeafanddumb，butIdonotyetknow。\"WhenIwroteback，Ihintedthequestion；butasSophyneveransweredthatquestion，Ifeltittobeasadone，andIneverrepeatedit。Foralongtimeourletterswereregular，butthentheygotirregular，throughSophy’shusbandbeingmovedtoanotherstation，andthroughmybeingalwaysonthemove。Butwewereinoneanother’sthoughts，Iwasequallysure，lettersornoletters。
Fiveyears，oddmonths，hadgonesinceSophywentaway。IwasstilltheKingoftheCheapJacks，andatagreaterheightofpopularitythanever。Ihadhadafirst—rateautumnofit，andonthetwenty—
thirdofDecember，onethousandeighthundredandsixty—four，I
foundmyselfatUxbridge，Middlesex，cleansoldout。SoIjoggeduptoLondonwiththeoldhorse，lightandeasy，tohavemyChristmas—
eveandChristmas—dayalonebythefireintheLibraryCart，andthentobuyaregularnewstockofgoodsallround，tosell’emagainandgetthemoney。
Iamaneathandatcookery，andI’lltellyouwhatIknockedupformyChristmas—evedinnerintheLibraryCart。Iknockedupabeefsteak—puddingforone，withtwokidneys，adozenoysters，andacoupleofmushroomsthrownin。It’sapuddingtoputamaningoodhumourwitheverything，exceptthetwobottombuttonsofhiswaistcoat。Havingrelishedthatpuddingandclearedaway，Iturnedthelamplow，andsatdownbythelightofthefire，watchingitasitshoneuponthebacksofSophy’sbooks。
Sophy’sbookssobroughtSophy’sself，thatIsawhertouchingfacequiteplainly，beforeIdroppedoffdozingbythefire。ThismaybeareasonwhySophy，withherdeaf—and—dumbchildinherarms，seemedtostandsilentbymeallthroughmynap。Iwasontheroad，offtheroad，inallsortsofplaces，NorthandSouthandWestandEast，Windslikedbestandwindslikedleast，Hereandthereandgoneastray，Overthehillsandfaraway，andstillshestoodsilentbyme，withhersilentchildinherarms。EvenwhenIwokewithastart，sheseemedtovanish，asifshehadstoodbymeinthatveryplaceonlyasingleinstantbefore。
Ihadstartedatarealsound，andthesoundwasonthestepsofthecart。Itwasthelighthurriedtreadofachild，comingclamberingup。Thattreadofachildhadoncebeensofamiliartome，thatforhalfamomentIbelievedIwasa—goingtoseealittleghost。
Butthetouchofarealchildwaslaidupontheouterhandleofthedoor，andthehandleturned，andthedooropenedalittleway，andarealchildpeepedin。Abrightlittlecomelygirlwithlargedarkeyes。
Lookingfullatme，thetinycreaturetookoffhermiteofastrawhat，andaquantityofdarkcurlsfellaboutherface。Thensheopenedherlips，andsaidinaprettyvoice，\"Grandfather！\"
\"Ah，myGod！\"Icriesout。\"Shecanspeak！\"
\"Yes，deargrandfather。AndIamtoaskyouwhethertherewaseveranyonethatIremindyouof？\"
InamomentSophywasroundmyneck，aswellasthechild，andherhusbandwasa—wringingmyhandwithhisfacehid，andweallhadtoshakeourselvestogetherbeforewecouldgetoverit。Andwhenwedidbegintogetoverit，andIsawtheprettychilda—talking，pleasedandquickandeagerandbusy，tohermother，inthesignsthatIhadfirsttaughthermother，thehappyandyetpityingtearsfellrollingdownmyface。