Page:Dombey and Son.djvu/217

Rh "There’s a general in-draught that way," observed the happy Captain. "Wind and water sets in that direction, you see. Look at his being present t’other day!"

"Most favourable to his hopes," said Mr. Carker.

"Look at his being towed along in the wake of that day!" pursued the Captain. "Why what can cut him adrift now?"

"Nothing," replied Mr. Carker.

"You ’re right again,’ returned the Captain, giving his hand another squeeze. "Nothing it is. So! steady! There’s a son gone: pretty little creetur. Ain’t there?"

"Yes, there’s a son gone," said the acquiescent Carker.

"Pass the word, and there’s another ready for you," quoth the Captain. "Nevy of a scientific Uncle! Nevy of Sol Gills! Wal’r! Wal’r, as is already in your business! And"—said the Captain, rising gradually to a quotation he was preparing for a final burst, "who—comes from Sol Gills’s daily, to your business, and your buzzums."

The Captain’s complacency as he gently jogged Mr. Carker with his elbow, on concluding each of the foregoing short sentences, could be surpassed by nothing but the exultation with which he fell back and eyed him when he had finished this brilliant display of eloquence and sagacity; his great blue waistcoat heaving with the throes of such a masterpiece, and his nose in a state of violent inflammation from the same cause.

"Am I right?" said the Captain.

"Captain Cuttle," said Mr. Carker, bending down at the knees, for a moment, in an odd manner, as if he were falling together to hug the whole of himself at once, "your views in reference to Walter Gay are thoroughly and accurately right. I understand that we speak together in confidence."

"Honour!" interposed the Captain. "Not a word."

"To him or any one?" pursued the Manager.

Captain Cuttle frowned and shook his head.

"But merely for your own satisfaction and guidance—and guidance, of course," repeated Mr. Carker, "with a view to your future proceedings."

"Thank’ee kindly, I am sure," said the Captain, listening with great attention.

"I have no hesitation in saying, that’s the fact. You have hit the probabilities exactly."

"And with regard to your head Governor," said the Captain, "why an interview had better come about nat’ral between us. There’s time enough."

Mr. Carker, with his mouth from ear to ear, repeated, "Time enough." Not articulating the words, but bowing his head affably, and forming them with his tongue and lips.

"And as I know—it’s what I always said—that Wal’r’s in a way to make his fortune," said the Captain.

"To make his fortune," Mr. Carker repeated, in the same dumb manner.

"And as Wal’r’s going on this little voyage is, as I may say, in his day’s work, and a part of his general expectations here," said the Captain.

"Of his general expectations here," assented Mr. Carker, dumbly as before.