Charles Dickens

Name: Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV
Author: Charles Dickens

Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV (1854)

Summary

“Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV”, published in 1854, is a work by Charles Dickens. It explores elements such as Rachael, Stephen Blackpool and Louisa.

Quotes from Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV (Charles Dickens)

Charles Dickens, Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV (1854)

“ In boastful proof of his promptitude and activity, as a remarkable man, and a self-made man, and a commercial wonder more admirable than Venus, who had risen out of the mud instead of the sea, he liked to show how little his domestic affairs abated his business ardour. Consequently, in the first few weeks of his resumed bachelorhood, he even advanced upon his usual display of bustle, and every day made such a rout in renewing his investigations into the robbery, that the officers who had it in hand almost wished it had never been committed. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV (1854)

“ The whelp was right. The messengers returned alone. Rachael’s letter had gone, Rachael’s letter had been delivered. Stephen Blackpool had decamped in that same hour; and no soul knew more of him. The only doubt in Coketown was, whether Rachael had written in good faith, believing that he really would come back, or warning him to fly. On this point opinion was divided.
Six days, seven days, far on into another week. The wretched whelp plucked up a ghastly courage, and began to grow defiant. ‘Was the suspected fellow the thief? A pretty question! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV (1854)

“ He still sat silent, when Louisa mildly said:
‘Rachael, you will not distrust me one day, when you know me better.’
‘It goes against me,’ Rachael answered, in a gentler manner, ‘to mistrust any one; but when I am so mistrusted - when we all are - I cannot keep such things quite out of my mind. I ask your pardon for having done you an injury. I don’t think what I said now. Yet I might come to think it again, wi’ the poor lad so wronged.’
‘Did you tell him in your letter,’ inquired Sissy, ‘that suspicion seemed to have fallen upon him, because he had been seen about the Bank at night? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV (1854)

“ It’s considered a little suspicious in Courts of Justice, I believe, when an Innocent happens to have many names.’
‘What,’ said Rachael, with the tears in her eyes again, ‘what, young lady, in the name of Mercy, was left the poor lad to do! The masters against him on one hand, the men against him on the other, he only wantin to work hard in peace, and do what he felt right. Can a man have no soul of his own, no mind of his own? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV (1854)

“ No implicated man or woman took untimely courage, or made a self-betraying step. More remarkable yet, Stephen Blackpool could not be heard of, and the mysterious old woman remained a mystery.
Things having come to this pass, and showing no latent signs of stirring beyond it, the upshot of Mr. Bounderby’s investigations was, that he resolved to hazard a bold burst. He drew up a placard, offering Twenty Pounds reward for the apprehension of Stephen Blackpool, suspected of complicity in the robbery of Coketown Bank on such a night ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV (1854)

“ These people, as they listened to the friendly voice that read aloud - there was always some such ready to help them - stared at the characters which meant so much with a vague awe and respect that would have been half ludicrous, if any aspect of public ignorance could ever be otherwise than threatening and full of evil. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV (1854)

“ The honestest lad, the truest lad, the best!’ Her indignation failed her, and she broke off sobbing.
‘I am very, very sorry,’ said Louisa.
‘Oh, young lady, young lady,’ returned Rachael, ‘I hope you may be, but I don’t know! I can’t say what you may ha’ done! The like of you don’t know us, don’t care for us, don’t belong to us. I am not sure why you may ha’ come that night. I can’t tell but what you may ha’ come wi’ some aim of your own, not mindin to what trouble you brought such as the poor lad. ”

Charles Dickens

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Quotes from Hard Times — Book the Third, Chapter IV (Charles Dickens)

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