Dombey and Son by Charles Dickens — Read

I shall never cease to congratulate myself," said Mrs Chick," on having said, when I little thought what was in store for us,-really as if I was inspired by something,-that I forgave poor dear Fanny everything. Whatever happens, that must always be a comfort to me!"

Mrs Chick made this impressive observation in the drawing-room, after having descended thither from the inspection of the mantua-makers upstairs, who were busy on the family mourning. She delivered it for the behoof of Mr Chick, who was a stout bald gentleman, with a very large face, and his hands continually in his pockets, and who had a tendency in his nature to whistle and hum tunes, which, sensible of the indecorum of such sounds in a house of grief, he was at some pains to repress at present.