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Book The Third - Garnering | Charles Dickens | |
Chapter III - Very Decided |
Page 3 of 6 |
Mr. Gradgrind, it will be observed, being much softened, Mr. Bounderby took particular pains to harden himself at all points. It was his amiable nature. 'My dear Bounderby,' Mr. Gradgrind began in reply. 'Now, you'll excuse me,' said Bounderby, 'but I don't want to be too dear. That, to start with. When I begin to be dear to a man, I generally find that his intention is to come over me. I am not speaking to you politely; but, as you are aware, I am not polite. If you like politeness, you know where to get it. You have your gentleman-friends, you know, and they'll serve you with as much of the article as you want. I don't keep it myself.' 'Bounderby,' urged Mr. Gradgrind, 'we are all liable to mistakes - ' 'I thought you couldn't make 'em,' interrupted Bounderby. 'Perhaps I thought so. But, I say we are all liable to mistakes and I should feel sensible of your delicacy, and grateful for it, if you would spare me these references to Harthouse. I shall not associate him in our conversation with your intimacy and encouragement; pray do not persist in connecting him with mine.' 'I never mentioned his name!' said Bounderby. 'Well, well!' returned Mr. Gradgrind, with a patient, even a submissive, air. And he sat for a little while pondering. 'Bounderby, I see reason to doubt whether we have ever quite understood Louisa.' 'Who do you mean by We?' 'Let me say I, then,' he returned, in answer to the coarsely blurted question; 'I doubt whether I have understood Louisa. I doubt whether I have been quite right in the manner of her education.' |
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Hard Times Charles Dickens |
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