Тяжёлые времена

           ’

           ‘IfIfleefromher,there’salawtopunishme?’

           ‘Ofcoursethereis.’

           ‘IfImarryt’ootherdearlass,there’salawtopunishme?’

           ‘Ofcoursethereis.’

           ‘IfIwastolivewi’heran’notmarryher—sayingsuchathingcouldbe,whichitnevercouldorwould,an’hersogood—there’salawtopunishme,ineveryinnocentchildbelongingtome?’

           ‘Ofcoursethereis.’

           ‘Now,a’God’sname,’saidStephenBlackpool,‘showmethelawtohelpme!’

           ‘Hem!There’sasanctityinthisrelationoflife,’saidMr.Bounderby,‘and—and—itmustbekeptup.’

           ‘Nono,dunnotsaythat,sir.’Tan’tkep’upthatway.Notthatway.’Tiskep’downthatway.I’maweaver,Iwereinafact’rywhenachilt,butIha’gotteneentoseewi’andeerntoyearwi’.Ireadinth’papersevery’Sizes,everySessions—andyoureadtoo—Iknowit!—withdismay—howth’supposedunpossibilityo’evergettingunchainedfromoneanother,atanyprice,onanyterms,bringsblooduponthisland,andbringsmanycommonmarriedfoktobattle,murder,andsuddendeath.Letusha’this,rightunderstood.Mine’sagrievouscase,an’Iwant—ifyowillbesogood—t’knowthelawthathelpsme.’

           ‘Now,Itellyouwhat!’saidMr.Bounderby,puttinghishandsinhispockets.‘Thereissuchalaw.’

           Stephen,subsidingintohisquietmanner,andneverwanderinginhisattention,gaveanod.

           ‘Butit’snotforyouatall.Itcostsmoney.Itcostsamintofmoney.