057 - Esther's Narrative

0:00Finding great candidates to hire can be like, well, trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can post your job to some job board, but then all you can do is hope the right person comes along, which is why you should try Zip Recruiter for free. Add ziprecruiter.com slash zip. Zip Recruiter doesn't depend on candidates finding you. It finds them for you. It's powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job. You get qualified candidates fast. So while other companies might deliver a lot of, hey, Zip Recruiter finds you what you're looking for. The needle in the haystack. See why four out of five employers who post a job on Zip Recruiter get a quality candidate within the first day? Zip Recruiter, the smartest way to hire. And right now, you can try Zip Recruiter for free. That's right. Free at ziprecruiter.com slash zip. That ziprecruiter.com slash zip, ziprecruiter.com slash zip. Finding great candidates to hire can be like, well,

1:03trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can post your job to some job board, but then all you can do is hope the right person comes along, which is why you should try Zip Recruiter for free. Add ziprecruiter.com slash zip. Zip Recruiter doesn't depend on candidates finding you. It finds them for you. It's powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job. You get qualified candidates fast. So while other companies might deliver a lot of, hey, Zip Recruiter, finds you what you're looking for. The needle in the haystack. See why four out of five employers who post a job on Zip Recruiter get a quality candidate within the first day? Zip Recruiter, the smartest way to hire. And right now, you can try Zip Recruiter for free. That's right. Free. Add ziprecruiter.com slash zip. That ziprecruiter.com slash zip. Ziprecruiter.com slash zip. Access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees, but I don't really need it.

2:03Infliction is killing me. What do you care? Big retailers and making record profits. That's why we support the German Marshall credit card bill. See, banks and credit unions help small businesses make payroll. This bill would cut the vital resources they need. While increasing Megastore profits. They deserve it. Don't they? Tell Congress, stop the German Marshall money grab for corporate megastores. Paid for it by the Electronic Payments Coalition. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Bleak House by Charles Dickens. Chapter 57. Esther's Narrative. I had gone to bed and fallen asleep when my guardian knocked at the door of my room and begged me to get up directly. On my hurrying to speak to him and learn what had happened, he told me after a word or two of preparation that there had been a discovery at Sir Lester

3:08deadlocks that my mother had fled that a person was now at our door who was empowered to convey to her the fullest assurances of affectionate protection and forgiveness if he could possibly find her and that I was sought for to accompany him in the hope that my entities might prevail upon her if his failed. Something to this general purpose I made out, but I was thrown into such a tumult of alarm and hurry and distress that in spite of every effort I could make to subdue my agitation, I did not seem to myself fully to recover my right mind until hours had passed. But I dressed and wrapped up expeditiously without waking Charlie or any other one and went down to Mr. Bucket who was the person entrusted with the secret. In taking me to him my guardian told me this and also explained how it was that he had come to think

4:14of me. Mr. Bucket in a low voice by the light of my guardian's candle read to me in the hall a letter that my mother had left upon her table and I suppose within ten minutes of my having been aroused I was sitting beside him rolling swiftly through the streets. His manner was very keen and yet considerate when he explained to me that a great deal might depend on my being able to answer without confusion a few questions that he wished to ask me. These were chiefly whether I had had much communication with my mother to whom he only referred as Lady Deadlock when and where I had spoken with her last and how she had become possessed of my handkerchief. When I had satisfied him on these points he asked me particularly to consider taking time to think whether within my knowledge there was anyone no matter where

5:17in whom she might be at all likely to confide under circumstances of the last necessity. I could think of no one but my guardian but by and by I mentioned Mr. Boythorn. He came into my mind as connected with his old chivalrous manner of mentioning my mother's name and with what my guardian had informed me of his engagement to her sister and his unconscious connection with her unhappy story. My companion had stopped the driver while we held this conversation that we might the better hear each other. He now told him to go on again and said to me after considering within himself for a few minutes that he had made up his mind how to proceed. He was quite willing to tell me what his plan was but I did not feel clear enough to understand it.

6:18We had not driven very far from our lodgings when we stopped in a bi-street at a public looking place lighted up with gas. Mr. Bucket took me in and sat me in an armchair by a bright fire. It was just past one as I saw by the clock against the wall. Two police officers looking in their perfectly neat uniform not at all like people who were up all night were quietly riding at a desk and the place seemed very quiet altogether except for some beating and calling out at distant doors underground to which nobody paid any attention. A third man in uniform whom Mr. Bucket called and to whom he whispered his instructions went out and then the two others advised together while one wrote from Mr. Bucket's subdued dictation. It was a description of my mother that they were busy with for Mr. Bucket brought it to me when

7:23it was done and read it in a whisper. It was very accurate indeed. The second officer who had attended to it closely then copied it out and called in another man in uniform. There were several in an outer room who took it up and went away with it. All this was done with the greatest dispatch and without the waste of a moment yet nobody was at all hurried. As soon as the paper was sent out upon its travels the two officers resumed their former quite work of writing with neatness and care. Mr. Bucket thoughtfully came and warmed the souls of his boots first one and then the other at the fire. Are you well wrapped up Miss Summerson? He asked me as his eyes met mine. It's a desperate shop night for a young lady to be out in. I told him I cared for no weather and was warmly clothed. It may be a long job he observed but so that it ends well

8:27never mind miss. I prayed to heaven it may end well said I. He nodded comfortingly. You see whatever you do don't you go and fret yourself you keep yourself cool and equal for anything that may happen and it'll be the better for you the better for me the better for Lady Deadlock and the better for Sir Lester Deadlock Baronet. He was really very kind and gentle and as he stood before the fire warming his boots and rubbing his face with his forefinger I felt a confidence in his sagacity which reassured me. It was not yet accorded to two when I heard horses feet and wheels outside. Now Miss Summerson said he we are off if you please. He gave me his arm and the two officers courteously bowed me out and we found at the door a fainten or barouche with a postillion and post horses. Mr. Bucket handed me in and took his own seat on the box.

9:34The man in uniform whom he had sent to fetch this equipage then handed him up a dark lantern at his request and when he had given a few directions to the driver we rattled away. I was far from sure that I was not in a dream. We rattled with great rapidity through such a labyrinth of streets that I soon lost all idea where we were except that we had crossed and recrossed the river and still seemed to be traversing a low-lying waterside dense neighborhood of narrow thoroughfares checkered by docks and basins high piles of warehouses swing bridges and masts of ships. At length we stopped at the corner of a little slimy turning which the wind from the river rushing up it did not purify and I saw my companion by the light of his lantern

10:37in conference with several men who looked like a mixture of police and sailors. Against the motoring wall by which they stood there was a bill on which I could discern the words found drowned and this and an inscription about drags possessed me with the awful suspicion shattered forth in our visit to that place. I had no need to remind myself that I was not there by the indulgence of any feeling of mine to increase the difficulties of the search or to lessen its hopes or enhance its delays. I remained quiet but what I suffered in that dreadful spot I never can forget and still it was like the horror of a dream a man yet dark and muddy in long swollen sudden boots and a hat like them was called out of a boat and whispered with Mr. Bucket

11:39who went away with him down some slippery steps as if to look at something secret that he had to show. They came back wiping their hands upon their coats after turning over something wet but thank God it was not what I feared. After some further conference Mr. Bucket whom everybody seemed to know and deferred to went in with the others at a door and left me in the carriage while the driver walked up and down by his horse to warm himself. The tide was coming in as I judged from the sound it made and I could hear it break at the end of the alley with a little rush towards me. It never did so and I thought it did so hundreds of times in what can have been at the most quarter of an hour and probably was less but the thought shuddered through me that it would cast my mother at the horse's feet. Mr. Bucket came out again exhorting the others to be vigilant,

12:46darkened his lantern and once more took his seat. Don't you be alarmed Miss Summerson on account of our coming down here he said turning to me. I only want to have everything in train and to know that it is in train by looking after it myself. Get on my lad. Warning the following Zippercruder radio spot you are about to hear is going to be filled with F words. When you're hiring we at Zippercruder know you can feel frustrated for Lauren even like your efforts are futile and you can spend a fortune trying to find fabulous people only to get flooded with candidates who are just fine. Fortunately Zippercruder figured out how to fix all that and right now you can try Zippercruder for free at zippercruder.com slash zip with Zippercruder you can forget your frustrations because we find the right people for your roles fast which is our absolute favorite effort. In fact four out of five employers who post on Zippercruder get a quality candidate within the first day. Fantastic. So whether you need to hire four 40 or 400 people get ready to

13:53meet first rate talent. Just go to zippercruder.com slash zip to try Zippercruder for free. Don't forget that zippercruder.com slash zip. Finally that zippercruder.com slash zip. Finding great candidates to hire can be like well trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure you can post your job to some job board but then all you can do is hope the right person comes along which is why you should try Zippercruder for free at zippercruder.com slash zip. Zippercruder doesn't depend on candidates finding you. It finds them for you. Its powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job. You get qualified candidates fast. So while other companies might deliver a lot of hey Zippercruder find you what you're looking for. The needle in the haystack. See why four out of five employers who post a job on Zippercruder get a quality candidate within the first day. Zippercruder the smartest way to hire and right now you can try Zippercruder for free. That's right. Free at zippercruder.com slash zip.

14:59That zippercruder.com slash zip zippercruder.com slash zip. Warning the following Zippercruder radio spot you are about to hear is going to be filled with F words. When you are hiring we at Zippercruder know you can feel frustrated for Lauren even like your efforts are futile and you can spend a fortune trying to find fabulous people only to get flooded with candidates who are just fine. Fortunately Zippercruder figured out how to fix all that and right now you can try Zippercruder for free at zippercruder.com slash zip. With Zippercruder you can forget your frustrations because we find the right people for your roles fast which is our absolute favorite effort. In fact four out of five employers who post on Zippercruder get a quality candidate within the first day. Fantastic. So whether you need to hire 40 or 400 people get ready to meet first rate talent. Just go to zippercruder.com slash zip to try Zippercruder for free. Don't forget that zippercruder.com slash zip. Finally that zippercruder.com slash zip.

16:05We appear to retrace the way we had come not that I had taken note of any particular objects in my perturbed state of mind but judging from the general character of the streets. We called at another official or station for a minute and crossed the river again. During the whole of this time and during the whole search my companion wrapped up on the box never relaxed in his vigilance a single moment but when we crossed the bridge he seemed if possible to be more on the alert than before. He stood up to look over the parapet he elided and went back after a shadowy female figure that flitted past us and he gazed into the profound black pit of water with a face that made my heart die within me. The river had a fearful look so overcast and secret creeping away so fast between the low flat lines of shore so heavy with indistinct and awful

17:10shapes both of substance and shadow so deathlike and mysterious. I have seen it many times since then by sunlight and by moonlight but never free from the impression of that journey. In my memory the lights upon the bridge are always burning dim the cutting wind is edding around the homeless woman whom we pass the monotonous wheels are whirling on and the light of the carriage lamps reflected back looks paley in upon me a face rising out of the dreaded water. Clattering and clattering through the empty streets we came length from the pavement onto dark smooth roads and began to leave the houses behind us. After a while I recognized the familiar way to St. Albans at Barnett fresh horses were ready for us and we changed and went on. It was very cold indeed and the open country was white with snow though none was falling then.

18:17An old acquaintance of yours this road Miss Summerson said Mr. Bucket cheerfully. Yes I returned have you gathered any intelligence none that can be quite dependent on as yet he answered but it's early times as yet he had gone into every late or early public house where there was a light there were not a few at that time the road being then much frequented by drovers and had got down to talk to the turnpike keepers. I had heard him ordering drink and chinking money and making himself agreeable and marry everywhere but whenever he took his seat upon the box again his face resumed its watchful steady look and he always said to the driver in the same business tone get on my lad with all these stoppages it was between five and six and we were yet a few miles short of St. Albans when he came out of one of these houses and handed me in a cup of tea

19:23drink it Miss Summerson it'll do you good you're beginning to get more yourself now ain't you I thanked him and said I hoped so you was what you may call stunned at first he returned and Lord no wonder don't speak loud my dear it's alright she's on ahead I don't know what joyful exclamation I made always going to make but he put up his finger and I stopped myself pass through here on foot this evening about eight or nine I heard of her first at the archway toll over at high gate but couldn't make quite sure trace her all along on and off picked her up at one place and dropped her at another but she's before us now safe take hold of this cup and sauce sir austler now if you wasn't brought up to the butter trade look out and see if you can catch half a crown in your the other hand one two three and there you are

20:28now my lad try a gallop we were soon in St. Albans and a lighted a little before day when I was just beginning to arrange and comprehend the occurrences of the night and really to believe that they were not a dream leaving the carriage at the posting house and ordering fresh horses to be ready my companion gave me his arm and we went towards home as this is your regular abode Miss Somerson you see he observed I should like to know whether you've been asked for by any stranger answering the description or whether Mr. John does has I don't expect much expected but it might be as we ascended the hill he looked about him with a sharp eye the day was now breaking and reminded me that I had come down at one night as I had reasoned for remembering with my little servant and poor Joe whom he called Tuffy I wondered how he knew that

21:33when you passed a man upon the road just yonder you know said Mr. Bucket yes I remembered that too very well that was me said Mr. Bucket seeing my surprise he went on I drove down in a gig that afternoon to look after that boy you might have heard my wheels when you came out to look after him yourself for I was aware of you and your little maid going up what when I was walking the horse down making an inquiry to about him in the town I soon heard what company he was in and was coming among the brick fields to look for him when I observed you bringing him home here had he committed any crime I asked none was charged against him said Mr. Bucket coolly lifting off his hat but I suppose he wasn't over particular no what I wanted him for was in connection with keeping this

22:33very matter of lady deadlock quiet he had been making his tongue more free than welcome as to a small accidental service he had been paid for by the deceased Mr. Tolkien horn and it wouldn't do at any sort of price to have him playing those games so having warned him out of London I made an afternoon of it to warn him to keep out of it now he was away and go farther from it and maintain a bright look out that I didn't catch him coming back again poor creature said I poor creature ascended Mr. Bucket and trouble enough and well enough away from London or anywhere else I was regularly turned on my back when I found him taken up by your establishment I do assure you I asked him why why my dear said Mr. Bucket naturally there was no end to his tongue then he might as well have been born with a yard and a half of it and a remnant over

23:37although I remember this conversation now my head was in confusion at the time and my power of attention hardly did more than enable me to understand that he entered into these particulars to divert me with the same kind intention manifestly he often spoke to me of indifferent things while his face was busy with the one object that he had in view he still pursued this subject as we turned in at the garden gate ah said Mr. Bucket here we are and a nice retired place it is put some man in mind of the country house in the woodpecker tapping that was known by the smoke which so gracefully curled they're early with the kitchen fire and that denotes good servants but what you've always got to be careful of with servants is who comes to see him you never

24:37know what they're up to if you don't know that and another thing my dear whenever you find a young man behind the kitchen door you give that young man in charge on suspicion of being secreted in a dwelling house with an on lawful purpose we were now in front of the house he looked attentively and closely at the gravel for footprints before he raised his eyes to the windows do generally put that elderly young gentleman in the same room when he's on a visit here Miss Somerson he inquired glancing at Mr. Skimpal's usual chamber you know Mr. Skimpal said I what do you call him again return Mr. Bucket bending down his ear Skimpal is it I've often wondered what his name might be Skimpal not John I should say nor yet Jacob Harold I told him Harold yes he's a queer bird is

25:42Harold said Mr. Bucket eyeing me with great expression he is a singular character said I no idea of money observe Mr. Bucket he takes it though I involuntarily return for answer that I perceived Mr. Bucket knew him why now I'll tell you Miss Somerson he rejoined your mind will be all the better for not running on one point to continually and I'll tell you for a change it was him as pointed out to me where Tuffy was I made up my mind that night to come to the door and ask for Tuffy if that was all but willing to try a move or so first if any such was on the board I just pitched a morsel of gravel at the window where I saw a shadow as soon as Harold opens it and I have had a look at him thinks I you're the man for me so I smoothed him down a bit about not

26:45wanting to disturb the family after they were gone to bed and about it's being a thing to be regretted that charitable young ladies should harbor vagrants and then when I pretty well understood his ways I said I should consider a five pound note well bestowed if I could relieve the premises of Tuffy without causing any noise or trouble then says he lifting up his eyebrows in the gayest way it's no use mentioning a five pound note to me my friend because I'm a mere child in such matters and have no idea of money of course I understood what is taking it so easy meant and being now quite sure he was the man for me I wrapped the note round a little stone and threw it up to him well he laughs and beams and looks as innocent as you like and says but I don't know the value of these things what am I to do with this spend it sir says I

27:52but I shall be taken in he says they won't give me the right change I shall lose it it's no use to me Lord you never saw such a face as he carried it with of course he told me where to find Tuffy and I found him I regarded this as very treacherous on the part of Mr. Skimple toward my guardian and as passing the usual bounds of his childish innocence bounds my dear return Mr. Bucket bounds now Miss Somerson I'll give you a piece of advice that your husband will find useful when you are happily married and have got a family about you whenever a person says to you that they are as innocent as can be in all concerning money look well after your own money for they are dead certain to color it if they can whenever a person proclaims to you in worldly matters I'm a child

28:52you consider that that person is only a crying off from being held accountable and that you have got that person's number and it's number one now I am not a poetical man myself except in a vocal way when it goes round a company but I'm a practical one and that's my experience so this rule fast and loose in one thing fast and loose in everything I never know it fail no more will you nor no one with which caution to the unwary my dear I take the liberty of pulling this here bell and so go back to our business I believe it had not been for a moment out of his mind anymore than it had been out of my mind or out of his face the whole household were amazed to see me without any notice at that time in the morning and so accompanied and their surprise was not

29:54diminished by my inquiries no one however had been there it could not be doubted that this was the truth then Miss Somerson said my companion we can't be too soon at the cottage where those brickmakers are to be found most inquiries there I leave to you if you'll be so good as to make the naturalist ways the best and the naturalist way is your own way we set off again immediately access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees that I don't really need it inflation is killing me but who cares big retailers and making record profits that's why we support the Durban Marshall credit card bill see things in credit unions help small businesses make payroll this bill would cut the vital resources they need while increasing megastore profits they deserve it don't they tell congress stop the Durban Marshall money grab for corporate megastores paid for by the electronic payments coalition finding great candidates to hire can be like well

30:59trying to find a needle in a haystack sure you can post your job to some job board but then all you can do is hope the right person comes along which is why you should try zippercruder for free at zippercruder.com slash zip zippercruder doesn't depend on candidates finding you it finds them for you it's powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job you get qualified candidates fast so while other companies might deliver a lot of hey zippercruder finds you what you're looking for the needle in the haystack see why four out of five employers who post a job on zippercruder get a quality candidate within the first day zippercruder the smartest way to hire and right now you can try zippercruder for free that's right free at zippercruder.com slash zip that zippercruder.com slash zip zippercruder.com slash zip warning the following zippercruder radio spot you are about to hear is going to be filled

31:59with f words when you're hiring we at zippercruder know you can feel frustrated for learn even like your efforts are futile and you can spend a fortune trying to find fabulous people only to get flooded with candidates who are just fine fortunately zippercruder figured out how to fix all that and right now you can try zippercruder for free at zippercruder.com slash zip with zippercruder you can forget your frustrations because we find the right people for your roles fast which is our absolute favorite effort in fact four out of five employers who post on zippercruder get a quality candidate within the first day fantastic so whether you need to hire four 40 or 400 people get ready to meet first rate talent just go to zippercruder.com slash zip to try zippercruder for free don't forget that zippercruder.com slash zip finally that zippercruder.com slash zip on arriving at the cottage we found it shut up and apparently deserted but one of the neighbors

33:01who knew me and who came out when I was trying to make someone here informed me that the two women and their husbands now lived together in another house made of loose rough bricks which stood on the margin of the piece of ground where the kilns were and where the long rows of bricks were drying we lost no time in repairing to this place which was within a few hundred yards and as the door stood ajar I pushed it open there are only three of them sitting at breakfast the child lying asleep on a bed in the corner it was Jenny the mother of the dead child who was absent the other woman rose on seeing me and the men though they were as usual sulky and silent each gave me a morose knot of recognition a look passed between them when Mr. Bucket followed me in and I was surprised to see that the woman evidently knew him I had asked leave to enter of course Liz the only name by which I knew her rose to give me her own chair but I sat down on a stool

34:07near the fire and Mr. Bucket took a corner of the bedstead now that I had to speak and was among people with whom I was not familiar I became conscious of being hurried and giddy it was very difficult to begin and I could not help bursting into tears Liz said I I have come a long way in the night and through the snow to inquire after a lady who has been here you know Mr. Bucket stuck in addressing the whole group with a composed propitiatory face that's the lady the young lady the lady that was here last night you know and who told you as there was anybody here inquired Jenny's husband who had made a surly stop in his eating to listen and now measured him with his eye a person of the name of Michael Jackson with a blue velveteen waistcoat with a double row of mother of pearl buttons Mr. Bucket immediately answered he had as good mind his own business

35:16whoever he is growl the man he's out of employment I believe said Mr. Bucket apologetically for Michael Jackson and so gets talking the woman had not resumed her chair but stood faltering with her hand upon its broken back looking at me I thought she would have spoken to me privately if she had dared she was still in this attitude of uncertainty when her husband who was eating with a lump of bread and fat in one hand and his clasp knife in the other struck the handle of the knife violently on the table and told her with an oath to mind her own business and any rate and sit down I should like to have seen Jenny very much said I for I am sure she would have told me all she could about this lady whom I am very anxious indeed you cannot think how anxious to overtake will Jenny be here soon where is she the woman had a great desire

36:18to answer but the man with another oath openly kicked at her foot with his heavy boot he left it to Jenny's husband to say what he chose and after a dogged silence the latter turned his shaggy head toward me I'm not partial to general folks coming into my place as you've heard me say a for now I think miss I let their place be and it's curious they can't let my place be there'd be a pretty shine made if I was to go a visiting them I think how so ever I don't much complain of you as if some others and I'm agreeable to make you a civil answer though I give notice that I'm not a going to be drawn like a badger will Jenny be here soon no she won't where is she she's gone up to London did she go last night I asked did she go last night ah she went last night he answered with a sulky jerk of his head but was she here when the lady came and what did the

37:24lady say to her and where is the lady gone I beg and pray you to be so kind as to tell me said I for I am in great distress to know if my master would let me speak and not say a word of harm the woman timidly began your master said her husband muttering an implication with slow emphasis will break your neck if you meddle with what don't concern you after another silence the husband of the absent woman turning to me again answered me with his usual grumbling unwillingness was Jenny here when the lady come yes she was here when the lady come what did the lady say to her well I'll tell you what the lady said to her she said you remember me as come one time to talk to you about the young lady as has been a visiting of you you remember me as give

38:25you something handsome for a handkerchief what she had left ah she remembered so we all did well then was that young lady up the house now no she weren't up the house now well then look here the lady was upon a journey all alone strange as we might think it and could she rest herself where you're a setting for an hour or so yes she could and so she did then she went it might be at twenty minutes past eleven and it might be at twenty minutes past twelve we ain't got no watches here to know the time by nor yet clocks where did she go I don't know where she go she went one way and Jenny went another one went right to London and the other went right from it that's about all ask this man he heard it all and see it all he knows the other man repeated

39:26that's all about it was the lady crying I inquired devil a bit return the first man her shoes was the worst and her clothes was the worst but she weren't not as I see the woman sat with her arms crossed and her eyes upon the ground her husband had turned his seat a little so as to face her and kept his hammer like hand upon the table as if it were in readiness to execute his threat if she disobeyed him I hope you will not object to my asking your wife said I how the lady looked come them he roughly cried to her you hear what she says cut it short and tell her bad replied the woman pale and exhausted very bad did she speak much not much but her voice was horse she answered looking all the while at her husband for leave was she faint said I did she

40:31eat or drink here go on said the husband in answer to her look tell her cut it short she had a little water miss and Jenny fetched her some bread and tea but she hardly touched it and when she went from here I was proceeding when Jenny's husband impatiently took me up when she went from here she went right away northward by the high road ask on the road if you doubt me and see if it weren't so now there's the end that's all about it I glanced at my companion and finding that he had already risen and was ready to depart thank them for what they had told me and took my leave the woman looked full at Mr. Bucket as he went out and he looked full at her now miss Somerson he said to me as we walk quickly away they've got her leadership's watch

41:31among them that's a positive fact you saw it I exclaimed just as good as saw it he returned else why should he talk about his 20 minutes passed and about his having no watch to tell the time 20 minutes he don't usually cut his time so fine as that if he comes to half hours it's as much as he does now you see either her leadership gave him that watch or he took it I think she gave it him now what should she give it him for what should she give it him for he repeated this question to himself several times as we hurried on appearing to balance between a variety of answers that arose in his mind if time could be spared said Mr. Bucket which is the only thing that can't be spared in this case I might get it out of that woman but it's too doubtful a chance

42:31to trust to under present circumstances they are up to keeping a close eye upon her and any fool knows that a poor creature like her beaten and kicked and scarred and bruised from head to foot will stand by the husband that ill uses her through thick and thin there's something kept back it's a pity but what we had seen the other woman I regretted exceedingly for she was very grateful and I felt sure would have resisted no in treaty of mine it's possible Miss Somerson said Mr. Bucket pondering on it that her leadership sent her up to London with some word for you and it's possible that her husband got the watch to let her go it don't come out altogether so plain as to please me but it's on the cards now I don't take kindly to laying out the money of Sir Leicester deadlock baronet on these ruffs and I don't see my way to the usefulness of it

43:36at present no so far our road Miss Somerson is forward straight ahead and keeping everything quiet we called at home once more that I might send a hasty note to my guardian and then we hurried back to where we had left the carriage the horses were brought out as soon as we were seen coming and we were on the road again in a few minutes access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees but I don't really need it inflection is killing me what who cares big retailers and making record profits that's why we support the Durban Marshall credit card bill see things in credit unions help small businesses make payroll this bill would cut the vital resources they need while increasing megastore profits they deserve it don't they tell Congress stop the Durban Marshall money grab for corporate megastores paid for by the electronic payments coalition hi this is Alex Cantrowitz I'm the host of big technology podcast a longtime reporter and an on air contributor

44:38to CNBC and if you're like me you're trying to figure out how artificial intelligence is changing the business world and our lives so each week on big technology I bring on key actors from companies building AI tech and outsiders trying to influence it asking where this is all going they come from places like Nvidia Microsoft Amazon and plenty more so if you want to be smart with your wallet your career choices and meetings with your colleagues and at dinner parties listen to big technology podcast wherever you get your podcasts it had set in snowing at daybreak and now it snowed hard the air was so thick with the darkness of the day and the density of the fall that we could see but a very little way in any direction although it was extremely cold the snow was but partially frozen and it churned with a sound as if it were a beach of small shells under the hoops of the horses into mire and water they sometimes slipped and floundered for a mile together and we were obliged

45:43to come to a standstill to rest them one chorus fell three times in that first stage and trembled so and was so shaken that the driver had to dismount from his saddle and lead him at last I could eat nothing and could not sleep and I grew so nervous under these delays and the slow pace at which we traveled that I had an unreasonable desire upon me to get out and walk yielding to my companions better sense however I remained where I was all this time kept fresh by a certain enjoyment of the work in which we he was engaged he was up and down at every house we came to addressing people whom he had never be held before as old acquaintances running into warm himself at every fire he saw talking and drinking and shaking hands at every bar and tap friendly with every wagoner wheel ride blacksmith and toll taker yet never seeming to lose time and always

46:50mounting to the box again with his watchful steady face and his business like get on my lad when we were changing horses the next time he came from the stable yard with the wet snow encrusted upon him and dropping off him plashing and crashing through it to his wet knees as he had been doing frequently since we left Saint Albans and spoke to me at the carriage side keep up your spirits it's certainly true that she came on here Miss Somerson there's not a doubt of the dress by this time and the dress has been seen here still on foot said I still on foot I think the gentleman you mentioned must be the point she's aiming at and yet I don't like his living down in her own part of the country neither I know so little said I there may be someone else near here of whom I never heard that's true but whatever you do don't you fall a crying my dear

47:56and don't you worry yourself no more than you can help get on my lad the sleet fell all that day unceasingly a thick mist came on early and it never rose or lightened for a moment such roads I had never seen I sometimes feared we had missed the way and got into the ploughed grounds or the marshes if I ever thought of the time I had been out it presented itself as an indefinite period of great duration and I seemed in a strange way never have to have been free from the anxiety under which I then labored as we advanced I began to feel misgivings that my companion lost confidence he was the same as before with all the roadside people but he looked graver when he sat by himself on the box I saw his finger uneasily going across and across his mouth

48:57during the whole of one long weary stage I overheard that he began to ask the drivers of coaches and other vehicles coming towards us what passengers they had seen in other coaches and vehicles that were in advance their replies did not encourage him he always gave me a reassuring back of his finger and lift of his eyelid as he got upon the box again but he seemed perplexed now when he said get on my lad at last when we were changing he told me that he had lost the track of the dress so long that he began to be surprised it was nothing he said to lose such a track for one while and to take it up for another while and so on but it had disappeared here in an unaccountable manner and we had not come upon it since this corroborated the apprehensions I had formed when he began to look at direction posts and to leave the carriage at crossroads

50:01for a quarter of an hour at a time while he explored them but I was not to be downhearted he told me for it was as likely as not that the next stage might set us right again the next stage however ended as that one ended we had no new clue there was a spacious in here solitary but a comfortable substantial building and as we drove in under a large gateway before I knew it where a land lady and her pretty daughters came to the carriage door in treating me to a light and refresh myself while the horses were making ready I thought it would be uncharitable to refuse they took me upstairs to a warm room and left me there it was at the corner of the house I remember looking two ways on one side to a stable yard open to a by-road where the Oscillars were unharnessing

51:03the splashed and tired horses from the muddy carriage and beyond that to the by-road itself across which the sign was heavily swinging on the other side to a wood of dark pine trees their branches were encumbered with snow and it silently dropped off in wet heaps while I stood at the window night was setting in and its bleakness was enhanced by the contrast of the pictured fire glowing and gleaming in the window pane as I looked among the stems of the trees and followed the discolored marks in the snow where the thaw was sinking into it and undermining it I thought of the motherly face brightly set off by daughters that had just now welcomed me and of my mother lying down in such a wood to die I was frightened when I found them all about me but I remembered that before I fainted I tried very hard not to do it and that was some little comfort they cushioned

52:09me up on a large sofa by the fire and then the calmly land lady told me that I must travel no further tonight but must go to bed but this put me into such a tremble lest they should detain me there that she soon recalled her words and compromised for a rest of a half an hour a good endearing creature she was she and her three fair girls also busy about me I was to take hot soup and broiled foul while mr. bucket dried himself and dined elsewhere but I could not do it when a snug round table was presently spread by the fireside though I was very unwilling to disappoint them however I could take some toast and some hot niggas and as I really enjoyed that refreshment it made some recompense punctual to the time at the half hours and the carriage came rumbling under the gateway and they took me down warmed refreshed comforted by kindness and safe I assured

53:17them not to faint anymore after I had got in and had taken graceful leave of them all the youngest daughter a blooming girl of nineteen who was to be the first married they had told me got upon the carriage step reached in and kissed me I have never seen her from that hour but I think of her to this hour as my friend the transparent windows with a fire and light looking so bright and warm from the cold darkness out of doors were soon gone and again we were crushing and churning the loose snow we went on with toil enough but the dismal roads were not much worse than they had been and the stage was only nine miles my companions smoking on the box I had thought at the last in of begging him to do so when I saw him standing at a great fire in a comfortable cloud of tobacco was as vigilant as ever and as quickly down and up again when we came to any human abode or any

54:23human creature he had lighted his little dark lantern which seemed to be a favorite with him for we had lamps in the carriage and every now and then he turned it upon me to see that I was doing well there was a folding window in the carriage head but I never closed it for it seemed like shutting out hope we came to the end of the stage and still the lost trace was not recovered I looked at him anxiously when we stopped to change but I knew by his yet graver face as he stood watching the austler that he had heard nothing almost in an instant afterward as I leaned back in my seat he looked in with his lighted lantern in his hand an excited and quite different man what is it said I staring is she here no no don't deceive yourself my dear nobody's here but I've got it the crystallized snow was in his eyelashes in his hair lying in ridges on his dress he had to

55:28shake it from his face and get his breath before he spoke to me now miss Somerson said he beating his fingers on his apron don't you be disappointed at what I'm going to do you know me I'm in specter bucket and you can trust me we've come a long way never mind four horses out there for the next stage up quick there was a commotion in the yard and a man came running out of the stable to know if he meant up or down up I tell you up ain't it English up up said I astonished to London are we going back miss Somerson he answered back straight back as a die you know me don't be afraid I'll follow the other bike the other I repeated who you called her Jenny didn't you I'll follow her bring those two pair out here for a crown a man wake up some of you you will not desert this lady we are in search of you will not abandon her on

56:33such a night and in such a state of mind as I know her to be in said I in agony and grasping his hand you are right my dear I won't but I'll follow the other look alive here with them horses send a man forward in the saddle to the next stage and let him send another forward again and order four on up right through my darling don't you be afraid these orders and the way in which he ran about the yard urging them caused a general excitement that was scarcely less bewildering to me than the sudden change but in the height of the confusion a mounted man galloped away to order the relays and our horses were put to with great speed my dear said mister bucket jumping to his seat and looking in again you'll excuse me if I'm too familiar don't you fret and worry yourself no more than you can help I say nothing else at present but you know me my dear now don't you I endeavored to say that I knew he was far

57:38more capable than I of deciding what we ought to do but he was sure that this was right could I not go forward by myself in search of I grasped his hand again in my distress and whispered it to him of my own mother my dear he answered I know I know and what I put you wrong do you think inspector bucket now you know me don't you what could I say but yes then you keep up a good heart as you can and you rely upon me for standing by you no less than bison's lester deadlock baronnet now are you right there all right sir off she goes then and get on my lads we were again upon the melancholy road by which we had come tearing up the myri sleet and falling snow as if they were torn by a water wheel end of chapter 57