Then Miss Blimber said to Dombey that dinner would be ready in a quarter of an hour, and perhaps he had better go into the school-room among his “friends.”  So Dombey opened the school-room door a very little way and strayed in like a lost boy.

His “friends,” were all dispersed about the room.  All the boys (Toots excepted) were getting ready for dinner—­some newly tying their neckcloths, and others washing their hands or brushing their hair in an adjoining room.  Young Toots, who was ready beforehand, and had therefore leisure to bestow upon Dombey, said with heavy good-nature,——­

“Sit down, Dombey.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Paul.

His endeavouring to hoist himself on to a very high window-seat, and his slipping down again, prepared Toots’ mind for the reception of a discovery.

“You’re a very small chap,” said Mr. Toots.

“Yes, sir, I’m small,” returned Paul.  “Thank you, sir.”  For Toots had lifted him into the seat, and done it kindly too.

“Who’s your tailor?” inquired Toots, after looking at him for some moments.

“It’s a woman that has made my clothes as yet,” said Paul “My sister’s dressmaker.”

“My tailor’s Burgess and Co.,” said Toots.  “Fash’nable but very dear.”

Paul had wit enough to shake his head, as if he would have said it was easy to see that.

“Your father’s regularly rich, ain’t he?” inquired Mr. Toots.

“Yes, sir,” said Paul.  “He’s Dombey and Son.”

“And which?” demanded Toots.

“And son, sir,” replied Paul.

By this time the other pupils had gathered round, and after a few minutes of general conversation the gong sounded, which caused a general move towards the dining-room.  Paul’s chair at the table was next to Miss Blimber, but it being found, when he sat in it, that his eyebrows were not much above the level of the table-cloth, some books were brought, on which he was elevated, and on which he always sat from that time, carrying them in and out himself on after occasions, like a little elephant and castle.

Grace having been said by the doctor, dinner began.  There was some nice soup, also roast meat, boiled meat, vegetables, pie, and cheese.  Every young gentleman had a massive silver fork and a napkin, and all the arrangements were stately and handsome.  There was a butler too, in a blue coat and brass buttons.

Nobody spoke unless spoken to, except Doctor Blimber, Mrs. Blimber, and Miss Blimber.  Only once during dinner was there any conversation that included the young gentlemen.  It happened when the doctor, having hemmed twice or thrice; said:——­

“It is remarkable, Mr. Feeder, that the Romans——­”