“People who have enough to do to hold their own way,” said Mr Dombey, unobservant of the Captain’s mysterious signs behind Walter, and still looking at his son, “had better be content with their own obligations and difficulties, and not increase them by engaging for other men. It is an act of dishonesty and presumption, too,” said Mr Dombey, sternly; “great presumption; for the wealthy could do no more. Paul, come here!”
The child obeyed: and Mr Dombey took him on his knee.
“If you had money now—” said Mr Dombey. “Look at me!”
Paul, whose eyes had wandered to his sister, and to Walter, looked his father in the face.
“If you had money now,” said Mr Dombey; “as much money as young Gay has talked about; what would you do?”
“Give it to his old Uncle,” returned Paul.
“Lend it to his old Uncle, eh?” retorted Mr Dombey. “Well! When you are old enough, you know, you will share my money, and we shall use it together.”
“Dombey and Son,” interrupted Paul, who had been tutored early in the phrase.
“Dombey and Son,” repeated his father. “Would you like to begin to be Dombey and Son, now, and lend this money to young Gay’s Uncle?”
“Oh! if you please, Papa!” said Paul: “and so would Florence.”