'What does your husband say to your being called Richards ?' As the husband did nothing but chuckle and grin, and continually draw his right hand across his mouth, moistening the palm, Mrs Toodle, after nudging him twice or thrice in vain, dropped a curtsey and replied 'that perhaps if she was to be called out of her name, it would be considered in the wages.' 'Oh, of course,' said Mr Dombey.

'I desire to make it a question of wages, altogether.

Now, Richards, if you nurse my bereaved child, I wish you to remember this always.

You will receive a liberal stipend in return for the discharge of certain duties, in the performance of which, I wish you to see as little of your family as possible.

When those duties cease to be required and rendered, and the stipend ceases to be paid, there is an end of all relations between us.