Charles Dickens

Name: Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will
Author: Charles Dickens

Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will (1865)

Summary

“Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will”, published in 1865, is a work by Charles Dickens. It explores elements such as Johnny, Rokesmith and Boffin.

Quotes from Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will (Charles Dickens)

Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will (1865)

“ This was no less than the appearance on his own little platform in pairs, of All Creation, on its way into his own particular ark: the elephant leading, and the fly, with a diffident sense of his size, politely bringing up the rear. A very little brother lying in the next bed with a broken leg, was so enchanted by this spectacle that his delight exalted its enthralling interest; and so came rest and sleep.
'I see you are not afraid to leave the dear child here, Betty,' whispered Mrs Boffin. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will (1865)

“ The mite with the broken leg was restless, and moaned; but after a while turned his face towards Johnny's bed, to fortify himself with a view of the ark, and fell asleep. Over most of the beds, the toys were yet grouped as the children had left them when they last laid themselves down, and, in their innocent grotesqueness and incongruity, they might have stood for the children's dreams.
The doctor came in too, to see how it fared with Johnny. And he and Rokesmith stood together, looking down with compassion on him. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will (1865)

“ There's so much trouble in illness, and so much expense, and she's seen such a lot of its being objected to.'
'But she never can have thought,' said Mrs Boffin, 'that I would grudge the dear child anything?'
'No mum, but she might have thought (as a habit-like) of its standing in Johnny's light, and might have tried to bring him through it unbeknownst.'
Sloppy knew his ground well. To conceal herself in sickness, like a lower animal; to creep out of sight and coil herself away and die; had become this woman's instinct. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will (1865)

“ We want to move Johnny to a place where there are none but children; a place set up on purpose for sick children; where the good doctors and nurses pass their lives with children, talk to none but children, touch none but children, comfort and cure none but children.'
'Is there really such a place?' asked the old woman, with a gaze of wonder.
'Yes, Betty, on my word, and you shall see it. If my home was a better place for the dear boy, I'd take him to it; but indeed indeed it's not.'
'You shall take him,' returned Betty, fervently kissing the comforting hand, 'where you will, my deary. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will (1865)

“ But the doctor said aside to Rokesmith, 'This should have been days ago. Too late!'
However, they were all carried up into a fresh airy room, and there Johnny came to himself, out of a sleep or a swoon or whatever it was, to find himself lying in a little quiet bed, with a little platform over his breast, on which were already arranged, to give him heart and urge him to cheer up, the Noah's ark, the noble steed, and the yellow bird; with the officer in the Guards doing duty over the whole, quite as much to the satisfaction of his country as if he had been upon Parade. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will (1865)

“ To catch up in her arms the sick child who was dear to her, and hide it as if it were a criminal, and keep off all ministration but such as her own ignorant tenderness and patience could supply, had become this woman's idea of maternal love, fidelity, and duty. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will (1865)

“ John Rokesmith hoped the child had had medical attendance? Oh yes, said Sloppy, he had been took to the doctor's shop once. And what did the doctor call it? Rokesmith asked him. After some perplexed reflection, Sloppy answered, brightening, 'He called it something as wos wery long for spots.' Rokesmith suggested measles. 'No,' said Sloppy with confidence, 'ever so much longer than THEM, sir!' (Mr Sloppy was elevated by this fact, and seemed to consider that it reflected credit on the poor little patient.)
'Mrs Boffin will be sorry to hear this,' said Rokesmith. ”

Charles Dickens

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Quotes from Our Mutual Friend — Chapter 9: In Which the Orphan Makes His Will (Charles Dickens)

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