Hard Times

—

Tempos Difíceis

Charles Dickens

ESL Easy Read

Reading Comprehension B1 • Original Text • Português Support

AMOSTRA - contém apenas 15% do texto

Copyright

Fonte original - domínio público

Esta edição ESL Easy Read foi adaptada a partir de Hard Times, de Charles Dickens, publicado originalmente em 1854.

A obra original encontra-se em domínio público e pode ser utilizada, reproduzida, distribuída e adaptada de acordo com a legislação aplicável.

Autor

Charles Dickens

Estados Unidos

Esta obra foi publicada originalmente em 1854.

Nos Estados Unidos, obras publicadas antes de 1930 encontram-se normalmente em domínio público.

Com base no ano de publicação disponível, esta obra encontra-se em domínio público nos Estados Unidos desde 1º de janeiro de 1950.

Brasil

Autor: Charles Dickens

De acordo com a Lei nº 9.610/1998, os direitos patrimoniais expiram 70 anos após a morte do autor, contados a partir de 1º de janeiro do ano seguinte ao falecimento.

Charles Dickens faleceu em 1870.

Situação no Brasil: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Portugal

Autor: Charles Dickens

De acordo com o Código do Direito de Autor e dos Direitos Conexos, a proteção patrimonial dura 70 anos após a morte do autor.

Charles Dickens faleceu em 1870.

Situação em Portugal: DOMÍNIO PÚBLICO.

Dados da publicação original

Obra original: Hard Times

Autor: Charles Dickens

Primeira publicação: 1854

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Introdução

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Sobre este livro

In the industrial town of Coketown, Thomas Gradgrind raises his children to value facts and reject imagination. Their lives become entangled with the wealthy factory owner Josiah Bounderby, the unhappy worker Stephen Blackpool, and the circus girl Sissy Jupe. Through hardship, deception, and loss, the novel challenges a society that treats people as numbers and shows the human need for compassion, wonder, and love.

Declaração sobre conteúdo gerado por inteligência artificial

Esta edição contém conteúdo gerado por ferramentas baseadas em inteligência artificial, incluindo o texto em inglês simplificado, traduções em português e elementos visuais da capa e/ou do interior. O conteúdo foi submetido a revisão editorial humana.

AI-generated content disclosure: This edition contains content generated by AI-based tools, including simplified English text, Portuguese translations, and visual elements used in the cover and/or interior. The content received human editorial review.

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Contato

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Contato: admin@esleasyread.com

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Reading Comprehension B1

Front Matter

3. CHAPTER I The One Thing Needful

4. CHAPTER II Murdering the Innocents

5. CHAPTER III A Loophole

6. CHAPTER IV Mr. Bounderby

7. CHAPTER V The Keynote

8. CHAPTER VI Sleary’s Horsemanship

9. CHAPTER VII Mrs. Sparsit

Contents

Front Matter

En/Pt → by Charles Dickens

HARD TIMES AND REPRINTED PIECES {0}

En/Pt → * * * * *

En/Pt → By CHARLES DICKENS

En/Pt → * * * * *

En/Pt → _With illustrations by Marcus Stone, Maurice Greiffenhagen, and F. Walker_

En/Pt → * * * * *

En/Pt → LONDON: CHAPMAN & HALL, LTD. NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

En/Pt → 1905

En/Pt → CONTENTS

_BOOK THE FIRST: SOWING_ - Chapters I - XVI. _BOOK THE SECOND: REAPING_ - Chapters I - XII. _BOOK THE THIRD: GARNERING_ - Chapters I - IX.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

_Stephen and Rachael in the Sick-room_; _Mr. Harthouse Dining at the Bounderbys'_; _Mr. Harthouse and Tom Gradgrind in the Garden_; _Stephen Blackpool Recovered from the Old Hell Shaft_

CHAPTER I The One Thing Needful

En/Pt → “What I want is Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are useful in life. This is how I raise my own children and these pupils. Stick to Facts, sir!”

The schoolroom was plain, bare, and dull. The speaker stressed every sentence with his square finger. His broad forehead, hard mouth, dry commanding voice, and stiff hair all made him look severe. His square coat, legs, shoulders, and tight neckcloth also seemed to express his stubborn belief in hard facts.

“In this life, we want nothing but Facts, sir - nothing but Facts!”

The speaker, the teacher, and another man stepped back. They looked at the rows of children as if the pupils were little containers waiting to be filled to the top with facts.

CHAPTER II Murdering the Innocents

En/Pt → Thomas Gradgrind was a man of facts and calculations. He believed that two plus two made four and allowed nothing more. With rules, scales, and multiplication tables, he felt ready to measure any part of human nature. To him, everything was simply a question of numbers.

This was how Mr. Gradgrind always introduced himself in his mind, both privately and publicly. He now presented himself in the same way to the children, who were waiting to be filled with facts.

As his eyes shone at the pupils, he seemed like a cannon full of facts, ready to blast childhood out of them. He also seemed like a machine made to replace their young imaginations with something cold and mechanical.

“Girl number twenty,” said Mr. Gradgrind, pointing firmly, “I don't know that girl. Who is she?”

“Sissy Jupe, sir,” number twenty answered. She blushed, stood up, and curtsied.

“Sissy is not a proper name,” said Mr. Gradgrind. “Don't call yourself Sissy. Call yourself Cecilia.”

En/Pt → “My father calls me Sissy, sir,” the girl replied in a trembling voice, making another curtsy.

“Then he should not,” said Mr. Gradgrind. “Tell him to stop. Cecilia Jupe, what does your father do?”

“He works with the horse riders, sir.”

Mr. Gradgrind frowned and waved away this unacceptable profession.

“We don't want to hear about that here. Your father trains horses, doesn't he?”

“Yes, sir. When they can find horses to train, they train them in the ring.”

“Don't mention the ring here. Call your father a horse trainer. I suppose he also treats sick horses?”

“Oh yes, sir.”

“Very well. He is an animal doctor, a farrier, and a horse trainer. Now define a horse.”

(This question greatly frightened Sissy Jupe.)

“Girl number twenty cannot define a horse!” Mr. Gradgrind told the class. “She knows no facts about one of the most common animals! Let a boy define it. Bitzer, give your answer.”

En/Pt → The pointing finger stopped at Bitzer. Sissy and Bitzer sat on opposite sides of a ray of sunlight. The sun made Sissy's dark eyes and hair look richer, but it seemed to remove the little color Bitzer had. His eyes were pale and cold, his hair was short and sandy, and his skin was so white that he looked as if he would bleed white.

“Bitzer,” said Thomas Gradgrind. “Define a horse.”

“A four-legged animal that eats grass. It has forty teeth. It loses its coat in spring and sometimes its hooves in wet countries. Its hard hooves need iron shoes, and its age can be read from marks in its mouth.” This was Bitzer's factual answer.

“Now, girl number twenty,” said Mr. Gradgrind, “you know what a horse is.”

Sissy curtsied again, still deeply red. Bitzer blinked quickly at Mr. Gradgrind; the light on his eyelashes made them look like insect feelers. Then he touched his freckled forehead with his knuckles and sat down.

En/Pt → The third man stepped forward. He was a powerful government official who always had a system to force upon everyone. Like a trained boxer, he was ready to attack any subject and defeat common sense. His orders came from high authorities who dreamed of a world ruled by commissioners.

“Very good,” said the man with a quick smile. “That is a horse. Now tell me, boys and girls: would you put pictures of horses on the wallpaper of a room?”

After a pause, half the children shouted, “Yes, sir!” The other half saw that this answer was wrong from the man's face, so they shouted, “No, sir!” That often happened in such examinations.

“Of course not. Why wouldn't you?”

There was another pause. A slow, heavy boy who breathed noisily suggested that he would paint the room instead of using wallpaper.

“You must use wallpaper,” said the man rather angrily.

En/Pt → “You must use wallpaper,” said Thomas Gradgrind. “It does not matter whether you like it. Don't tell us you would not use it. What do you mean, boy?”

“I will explain why you would not use wallpaper with horses,” said the man after another sad pause. “Do you ever see real horses walking up and down the walls of rooms?”

“Yes, sir!” cried one half. “No, sir!” cried the other.

“Of course not,” said the man, glaring at those who were wrong. “You must not show or own anything that does not exist in fact. What people call Taste is only another name for Fact.” Thomas Gradgrind nodded.

“This is a great new discovery,” said the man. “Let us try again. If you were choosing a carpet, would you choose one with pictures of flowers?”

By now most children believed that “No, sir!” was always the correct answer, so they shouted it loudly. Only a few weak voices said yes, including Sissy Jupe.

En/Pt → “Girl number twenty,” said the man, smiling with the calm confidence of knowledge.

Sissy blushed and stood up.

“So you would cover your room - or your husband's room when you grow up - with pictures of flowers? Why?” asked the man.

“Because I love flowers, sir,” the girl answered.

“And for that reason you would put furniture on them and let people walk over them in heavy boots?”

“It would not hurt them, sir. They are only pictures, so they could not be crushed or die. They would show something beautiful and pleasant, and I would imagine - ”

“There! You must not imagine,” cried the man, delighted to reach his point. “That is the rule: never imagine.”

“Cecilia Jupe, you must do nothing of that kind,” Thomas Gradgrind repeated seriously.

“Fact, fact, fact!” said the man. “Fact, fact, fact!” repeated Thomas Gradgrind.

En/Pt → “Facts must control everything,” said the man. “Forget the word Imagination. Useful and decorative objects must show only what is true. We do not walk on flowers, so carpets cannot show flowers. Birds and butterflies do not sit on plates, and animals do not walk on walls, so we must not paint them there. Decorations should use simple mathematical shapes and basic colors. That is Fact, and that is Taste.”

The girl curtsied and sat down. She was very young and looked frightened by this cold, factual view of the world.

“Now, if Mr. M'Choakumchild gives his first lesson, Mr. Gradgrind, I will be pleased to observe his method,” said the man.

Mr. Gradgrind thanked him. “Mr. M'Choakumchild, we are waiting for you.”

Mr. M'Choakumchild began in his best style. He and 140 other teachers had recently received the same factory-like training. He had studied grammar, history, geography, science, mathematics, music, drawing, and many languages. He knew endless facts about the world. Yet he had learned too much: if he had learned less, perhaps he could have taught more.

En/Pt → In this first lesson, he examined the children one by one, like Morgiana checking the jars in _The Forty Thieves_. But when he filled each child with his boiling store of facts, would he completely kill the hidden robber called Imagination - or only injure and twist it?

CHAPTER III A Loophole

En/Pt → Mr. Gradgrind walked home from the school feeling very satisfied. It was his school, and he wanted it to be a model. Every pupil was to be a model, just like his own children.

There were five young Gradgrinds, and all were considered models. From their earliest years, they had listened to endless lessons. Almost as soon as they could walk, they were sent to the classroom. Their first memory seemed to be a large blackboard and a dry, frightening figure writing white numbers on it.

Of course, they knew nothing about imaginary monsters - Facts did not allow that. I use the word only to describe a many-headed teacher who captured childhood and dragged it into dark caves of statistics.

No Gradgrind child had imagined a face in the moon or sung “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” At five, each already knew scientific facts about stars. They never heard nursery stories about famous cows. A cow was introduced to them only as a four-legged, grass-eating animal with several stomachs.

En/Pt → Mr. Gradgrind walked toward his practical home, Stone Lodge. He had left the hardware trade before building it and now hoped to enter Parliament. Stone Lodge stood on open land a short distance from the large industrial town of Coketown.

Stone Lodge was extremely regular and showed its plain nature without disguise. It was a large square house with a heavy entrance that darkened the main windows, just as its owner's brows shaded his eyes. Every window, wing, lawn, and garden was carefully counted and arranged in straight lines. It had excellent gas, air, drains, water, fire protection, and mechanical lifts - everything a practical heart could want.

Everything? Perhaps. The Gradgrind children also owned small collections of shells, metals, and minerals. Every object was carefully arranged and labelled. But if these children still wanted something more, what could it possibly be?

Their father continued walking in a hopeful, satisfied mood. He loved his children in his own way, but would have called himself an “extremely practical” father. He was proud of this phrase. At public meetings in Coketown, someone always described Gradgrind as extremely practical, and the compliment pleased him.

En/Pt → At the damaged edge of town, Gradgrind heard loud music from a travelling horse show in a wooden building. A flag announced “Sleary's Horse-riding.” Sleary collected the money, and posters promised Miss Josephine Sleary's elegant riding act. Signor Jupe would show his trained dog Merrylegs, perform amazing feats of strength, tell jokes, and finish with a funny play called _The Tailor's Journey to Brentford_.

Naturally, Thomas Gradgrind ignored such foolish entertainment and continued like a practical man. But the road passed behind the show, where several children were secretly trying to look inside.

He stopped. “Just think of these wanderers,” he said, “drawing young troublemakers away from a model school.”

A patch of poor grass and rubbish separated him from the children. He took out his eyeglass to find any pupil he could order away. Then he saw something almost unbelievable: his own Louisa was looking eagerly through a hole in a wooden board, while his son Thomas lay on the ground trying to see even one hoof of the graceful rider.

En/Pt → Speechless with surprise, Mr. Gradgrind crossed over, put a hand on each guilty child, and said:

“Louisa! Thomas!”

Both stood up, red and embarrassed. Louisa looked at her father more boldly than Thomas. Thomas did not look at him at all and allowed himself to be taken home like a machine.

“In the name of wonder, laziness, and foolishness,” said Mr. Gradgrind as he led them away by the hands, “what are you doing here?”

“We wanted to see what it was like,” Louisa answered briefly.

“What it was like?”

“Yes, father.”

Both children looked tired and unhappy, especially Louisa. Yet a restless light shone through her dissatisfaction. Her imagination was hungry but somehow still alive. Its uncertain flashes were not the natural happiness of youth; they were painful, like the expression of a blind person searching for a path.

She was now fifteen or sixteen, but would soon appear to become a woman all at once. Her father realized this as he looked at her. She was pretty and, he thought, would have been strong-willed without his practical education.

En/Pt → “Thomas, although I can see the fact before me, I find it hard to believe that a boy with your education and advantages brought his sister to a place like this.”

“I brought him, father,” Louisa quickly said. “I asked him to come.”

“I am very sorry to hear that. It does not make Thomas any better, and it makes you worse, Louisa.”

She looked at her father again, but no tear ran down her cheek.

“You and Thomas have every science open to you. You are full of facts and trained in mathematical exactness. Yet here you both are, in this shameful position! I am amazed,” cried Mr. Gradgrind.

“I was tired, father. I have been tired for a long time,” said Louisa.

“Tired? Of what?” her surprised father asked.

“I don't know - of everything, I think.”

En/Pt → ‘Do not say another word,’ Mr. Gradgrind replied. ‘You are being childish. I will hear no more.’ They walked silently for about half a mile. Then he said seriously, ‘What would your best friends say, Louisa? Do you not care about their good opinion? What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ When she heard this name, Louisa gave her father a deep, searching look. He did not see it because she lowered her eyes before he looked at her.

‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ he repeated soon afterwards. As he angrily led the two guilty children home to Stone Lodge, he kept repeating, ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ as if Mr. Bounderby represented all respectable public opinion.

CHAPTER IV Mr. Bounderby

En/Pt → Since he was not Mrs. Grundy, who was Mr. Bounderby?

Mr. Bounderby was as close a friend of Mr. Gradgrind as one completely unsentimental man could be to another. He was very close - or perhaps very far away.

He was a rich banker, merchant, manufacturer, and much more. He was a big, loud man with a hard stare and a metallic laugh. His rough body seemed stretched to make him so large. His head and forehead were swollen, the veins at his temples stood out, and the tight skin of his face seemed to hold his eyes and eyebrows up. He looked like an inflated balloon ready to rise. He never stopped boasting that he was a self-made man. In his loud, brass-like voice, he constantly announced his former ignorance and poverty. He bullied everyone with stories of his humble beginnings.

En/Pt → Mr. Bounderby was one or two years younger than his very practical friend, but he looked older. Although he was forty-seven or forty-eight, no one would have been surprised if he were seven or eight years older. He had little hair. One could imagine that he had talked most of it away, while the rest stood untidily on end because his windy boasting always blew it about.

In the formal sitting room of Stone Lodge, Mr. Bounderby stood on the rug before the fire and spoke to Mrs. Gradgrind about his birthday. He stood there partly because the spring afternoon was cool, though sunny; partly because dampness always seemed to haunt Stone Lodge; and partly because this position helped him dominate Mrs. Gradgrind.

‘I had no shoes. I did not even know what stockings were. I spent the day in a ditch and the night in a pigsty. That is how I spent my tenth birthday. A ditch was nothing new to me, because I was born in one.’

En/Pt → Mrs. Gradgrind was a small, thin, pale woman with pink eyes, wrapped in shawls. She was extremely weak in body and mind. She was always taking medicine without effect, and whenever she showed a sign of waking to life, some heavy fact immediately stunned her. She said she hoped the ditch had been dry.

‘No! It was completely wet, with thirty centimetres of water,’ said Mr. Bounderby.

Mrs. Gradgrind thought that was enough to give a baby a cold.

‘A cold? I was born with inflamed lungs and, I believe, with every other possible inflammation,’ Mr. Bounderby replied. ‘For years, madam, I was one of the most miserable little creatures anyone had seen. I was so ill that I always moaned and groaned. I was so dirty and dressed in such rags that you would not have touched me even with tongs.’

Mrs. Gradgrind weakly looked at the tongs, because this was the only suitable response her limited mind could imagine.

En/Pt → ‘I do not know how I survived,’ said Bounderby. ‘I suppose I was determined. I have been determined in later life, so I probably was then too. In any case, here I am, Mrs. Gradgrind, and I have nobody but myself to thank for it.’

Mrs. Gradgrind gently and weakly began to express hope that his mother -

‘My mother? She ran away, madam!’ said Bounderby.

Mrs. Gradgrind was stunned, as usual. She collapsed and gave up.

‘My mother left me with my grandmother,’ said Bounderby. ‘As far as I remember, my grandmother was the most wicked and terrible old woman who ever lived. If I happened to get a little pair of shoes, she took them off me and sold them to buy drink. I have seen my grandmother lie in bed and drink fourteen glasses of alcohol before breakfast!’

Mrs. Gradgrind smiled weakly but showed no other sign of life. As always, she looked like a badly made picture of a small woman with too little light behind it.

En/Pt → ‘She owned a small shop,’ Bounderby continued, ‘and kept me in an egg box. An old egg box was my bed as a baby. As soon as I was big enough, I naturally ran away. Then I became a young homeless wanderer. Instead of one old woman beating and starving me, people of every age beat and starved me. They were right. I was a nuisance, a burden, and a pest. I know that very well.’

He was so proud of once achieving the great social position of nuisance, burden, and pest that he repeated the boast loudly three times.

En/Pt → ‘I suppose I was meant to survive, Mrs. Gradgrind. Whether I was meant to or not, I did survive, though nobody threw me a rope. I went from homeless boy to messenger, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, and finally Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. That is my history and its highest point. I learned the alphabet from shop signs and learned to tell time from the clock of St. Giles’s Church in London, taught by a drunken disabled man who was a convicted thief and lifelong wanderer. Tell me about your district, model, and training schools, and I will say they are all very good. I had none of those advantages. The education that made me will not suit everyone, but it was my education. You could force me to swallow boiling fat, but you could never force me to hide the facts of my life.’

Excited by this final claim, Josiah Bounderby stopped speaking. At that exact moment, his very practical friend entered with the two young offenders and also stopped. When Mr. Gradgrind saw Bounderby, he gave Louisa a blaming look that clearly said, ‘Look at your Bounderby!’

En/Pt → ‘Well!’ Mr. Bounderby shouted. ‘What is wrong? Why is young Thomas so unhappy?’

He spoke about young Thomas, but he looked at Louisa.

‘We were watching the circus secretly,’ Louisa muttered proudly without raising her eyes, ‘and father caught us.’

‘Mrs. Gradgrind,’ her husband said grandly, ‘I would have been just as surprised to find my children reading poetry.’

‘Oh dear,’ Mrs. Gradgrind complained. ‘How could you, Louisa and Thomas? I am amazed at you. You are enough to make me regret having a family. I almost wish I had never had one. What would you have done then, I would like to know?’

Mr. Gradgrind did not seem impressed by these apparently strong arguments. He frowned impatiently.

‘With my head hurting as it does, why could you not look at the shells, minerals, and other things provided for you instead of circuses?’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘Young people do not have circus masters, keep circuses in cabinets, or attend lectures about them. Why would you want to know about circuses? You already have enough to study. With my head like this, I could not remember even half the names of all the facts you must learn.’

En/Pt → ‘That is exactly the reason!’ Louisa replied unhappily.

‘Do not tell me that is the reason, because it cannot be anything like that,’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘Go and study something scientific at once.’ Mrs. Gradgrind knew little about science, so she usually sent her children to study with this general order and let them choose the subject.

In fact, Mrs. Gradgrind knew very few facts. Mr. Gradgrind had married her for two reasons. First, she was a satisfactory choice according to the numbers. Second, she had ‘no nonsense’ in her. By nonsense he meant imagination, and she probably had as little imagination as any person who was not a complete idiot could have.

Simply being left alone with her husband and Mr. Bounderby was enough to stun this admirable lady again, even without another fact striking her. So she faded away once more, and nobody paid attention.

En/Pt → ‘Bounderby,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, pulling a chair near the fire, ‘you are always interested in my children, especially Louisa, so I freely tell you that this discovery troubles me greatly. As you know, I have devoted myself to educating my family’s reason. Reason is the only ability education should develop. Yet today’s small and unexpected event suggests that something has entered Thomas’s and Louisa’s minds. It is something I never intended to develop and in which reason has no part.’

‘There is certainly no reason in watching a group of homeless performers with interest,’ Bounderby replied. ‘When I was homeless myself, nobody looked at me with interest. I know that.’

‘Then we must ask,’ said the very practical father, looking into the fire, ‘where does this common curiosity come from?’

‘I will tell you. It comes from useless imagination.’

‘I hope not,’ said the practical man. ‘However, I admit that I had the same fear on my way home.’

En/Pt → ‘It is useless imagination, Gradgrind,’ Bounderby repeated. ‘It is bad for anyone, but especially terrible for a girl like Louisa. I would apologize to Mrs. Gradgrind for my strong language, but she knows I am not a refined man. Anyone who expects refinement from me will be disappointed. I did not receive a refined upbringing.’

Gradgrind stood thinking with his hands in his pockets and his deep eyes on the fire. ‘Could a teacher or servant have suggested something? Could Louisa or Thomas have been reading? Despite every precaution, could some useless storybook have entered the house? Their minds have been trained by strict rules since birth, so this is very strange and impossible to understand.’

‘Wait!’ cried Bounderby. He still stood by the fire, and his loud claims about his humble past seemed ready to make the furniture explode. ‘One of those travelling performers’ children attends your school.’

‘Her name is Cecilia Jupe,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, looking rather shocked at his friend.

En/Pt → ‘Now wait!’ Bounderby cried again. ‘How did she get into the school?’

‘The fact is, I saw the girl myself for the first time only a moment ago. Because she does not normally belong to our town, she came here to the house to ask especially for admission. And - yes, you are right, Bounderby. You are right.’

‘Now wait!’ Bounderby cried once more. ‘Did Louisa see her when she came?’

‘Louisa certainly saw her because she told me about the request. But I am sure Louisa saw her while Mrs. Gradgrind was present.’

‘Please tell us, Mrs. Gradgrind,’ said Bounderby, ‘what happened?’

‘Oh, my poor health!’ Mrs. Gradgrind replied. ‘The girl wanted to attend the school, Mr. Gradgrind wanted girls to attend it, and Louisa and Thomas both said these things were true. How could I disagree when they were facts?’

‘I will tell you what to do, Gradgrind!’ said Mr. Bounderby. ‘Send this girl away, and that will end the matter.’

En/Pt → ‘I mostly agree with you.’

‘Do it at once,’ said Bounderby. ‘That has been my rule since childhood. When I decided to run away from my egg box and my grandmother, I did it immediately. You should do the same. Do it now!’

‘Are you going for a walk?’ his friend asked. ‘I have the father’s address. Would you mind walking into town with me?’

‘Not at all,’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘as long as you act immediately!’

Mr. Bounderby threw on his hat. He always did this, as if he had been too busy making himself successful to learn a stylish way of wearing it. With his hands in his pockets, he walked slowly into the hall. He often said, ‘I never wear gloves. I did not climb the ladder of success in gloves. I would not be so high now if I had.’

En/Pt → While Mr. Gradgrind went upstairs for the address, Bounderby waited in the hall for a minute or two. He opened the study door and looked into the quiet room. Despite its books, cabinets, and many educational tools, it felt rather like a room for cutting hair. Louisa leaned tiredly against the window, looking out but seeing nothing. Young Thomas stood angrily sniffing by the fire. Adam Smith and Malthus, two younger Gradgrinds, were away at a lecture under supervision. Little Jane had covered her face with a wet mixture of slate pencil and tears, then fallen asleep over her fractions.

‘Everything is all right now, Louisa and young Thomas,’ said Mr. Bounderby. ‘You will not do it again. I promise your father has finished with the matter. Well, Louisa, that deserves a kiss, does it not?’

‘You may take one, Mr. Bounderby,’ Louisa replied. After a cold pause, she slowly crossed the room and unwillingly raised her cheek towards him, keeping her face turned away.

En/Pt → ‘You are always my favourite, are you not, Louisa?’ said Mr. Bounderby. ‘Goodbye, Louisa!’

He left, but she stayed in the same place, rubbing the cheek he had kissed with her handkerchief until it became bright red. She was still rubbing it five minutes later.

‘What are you doing, Loo?’ her brother complained. ‘You will rub a hole in your face.’

‘You can cut that piece out with your small knife if you want, Tom. I would not cry!’

CHAPTER V The Keynote

En/Pt → Coketown, where Mr. Bounderby and Mr. Gradgrind were now going, was a victory of fact. It had no more imagination than Mrs. Gradgrind. Before we continue our tune, let us sound Coketown’s main note.

It was a town of red brick, or brick that would have been red without the smoke and ash. Instead, the town was an unnatural red and black. It was full of machines and tall chimneys that sent out endless snakes of smoke. It had a black canal, a river made purple by foul-smelling dye, and huge buildings full of windows. Inside them, machines rattled and shook all day, while steam-engine pistons moved steadily up and down like the head of a sad, mad elephant. Its large streets all looked alike, and its small streets looked even more alike. Similar-looking people left and returned at the same times, made the same sounds on the same pavements, and did the same work. Every day was like the day before and after, and every year was like the previous and following year.

En/Pt → Most of these features of Coketown were necessary for the industry that supported it. In return, the town produced comforts used around the world and luxuries enjoyed by elegant ladies who could hardly bear to hear Coketown mentioned. But its other features were chosen freely, and they were these.

Everything in Coketown looked strictly useful. Eighteen religious groups had built chapels, but each looked like a holy red-brick warehouse, sometimes with a bell in a cage on top. The only exception was the New Church, a plastered building with a square tower and four short, decorated points like wooden legs. Every public sign used the same strict black-and-white letters. The jail, hospital, and town hall looked so similar that any one could have been another. Fact was everywhere, both in things and ideas. The M’Choakumchild school, the design school, and relations between employers and workers were all based on fact. From the maternity hospital to the cemetery, anything that could not be expressed in numbers, bought cheaply, and sold dearly did not exist and never would. Amen.

En/Pt → A town so devoted to fact and so proud of it must have succeeded, of course. But no, it did not succeed completely. Really? How surprising!

En/Pt → No. Coketown did not emerge from its furnaces as pure as gold. First, nobody knew who belonged to its eighteen religious groups, but the workers clearly did not. On Sunday mornings, few workers left their crowded rooms and street corners when the harsh church bells rang. They watched churchgoers as if religion had nothing to do with them. A local organization repeatedly asked Parliament to force the workers to be religious. The Temperance Society used tables to complain that they kept getting drunk and claimed that only a medal could stop them. Chemists showed that when they did not drink, they took opium. The prison chaplain used more tables to show that they visited hidden, disreputable places to hear songs, watch dances, and perhaps join in. One unreliable prisoner even said such a place had begun his ruin. Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby could offer still more tables and examples. These supposedly proved that the workers were bad, ungrateful, restless, demanding, and always dissatisfied, however much others did for them. In short, their situation recalled an old children’s verse:

En/Pt → There was an old woman - what do you think? She lived on nothing but food and drink. Food and drink were all she had, yet this old woman was NEVER satisfied.

Could the people of Coketown be similar to the young Gradgrinds? Surely no sensible person who understood numbers would claim that an important human need of the workers had been deliberately ignored for many years. Could they possess an imagination that needed healthy expression instead of suffering? The longer they did dull, repetitive work, the more they needed physical relief: cheerful relaxation, an honest dance to lively music, a recognized holiday, or some light entertainment untouched by M’Choakumchild. This need had to be satisfied in a healthy way. Otherwise, it would certainly find an unhealthy way, unless the laws of nature themselves changed.

‘This man lives at Pod’s End, and I do not know that area well,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Which way is it, Bounderby?’

En/Pt → Mr. Bounderby knew it was somewhere in the lower part of town, but knew nothing more. They stopped briefly and looked around.

At that moment, a frightened girl whom Mr. Gradgrind recognized came running quickly around the street corner. ‘Hello!’ he said. ‘Stop! Where are you going? Stop!’ Girl number twenty stopped, breathing hard, and bowed to him.

‘Why are you running wildly through the streets in this improper way?’ Mr. Gradgrind asked.

‘Someone was chasing me, sir,’ the girl said, breathing hard, ‘and I wanted to escape.’

‘Chasing you?’ Mr. Gradgrind repeated. ‘Who would chase you?’

The answer came suddenly. The pale boy Bitzer ran around the corner so blindly and expected a clear pavement so completely that he crashed into Mr. Gradgrind’s stomach and bounced into the road.

‘What do you mean, boy?’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘What are you doing? How dare you crash into everybody like this?’ Bitzer picked up the cap that the collision had knocked off. He stepped backwards, touched his forehead respectfully, and said it had been an accident.

En/Pt → ‘Was this boy chasing you, Jupe?’ Mr. Gradgrind asked.

‘Yes, sir,’ the girl said unwillingly.

‘No, I was not, sir!’ cried Bitzer. ‘Not until she ran away from me. But circus riders never care whether they tell the truth, sir; everyone knows that. You know circus riders never care what they say,’ he told Sissy. ‘Everyone in town knows it, just as they know that circus riders do not know the multiplication table.’ Bitzer looked to Mr. Bounderby for approval.

‘He frightened me so much with his cruel faces!’ said the girl.

‘Oh!’ cried Bitzer. ‘You are just like the others! Are you not a circus rider? I never made faces at her, sir. I asked whether she would know how to define a horse tomorrow and offered to explain it again. She ran away, so I followed her to make sure she could answer the question. You would not have said such a harmful lie if you were not a circus rider!’

En/Pt → ‘Everyone at school already seems to know what her family does,’ Mr. Bounderby observed. ‘Within a week, the whole school would have been watching the circus in a row.’

‘I truly think so,’ his friend replied. ‘Bitzer, turn around and go home. Jupe, remain here for a moment. Boy, if I hear that you have been running like this again, I will speak to the schoolmaster about you. You understand me. Go.’

The boy stopped blinking quickly, touched his forehead respectfully again, looked at Sissy, turned around, and went away.

‘Now, girl,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, ‘lead this gentleman and me to your father’s home. We are going there. What is in the bottle you are carrying?’

‘Gin,’ said Mr. Bounderby.

‘Oh no, sir! It is the nine oils.’

‘The what?’ cried Mr. Bounderby.

‘The nine oils, sir. I use them to rub my father.’

Mr. Bounderby gave a short, loud laugh. ‘Why on earth do you rub your father with nine oils?’

En/Pt → ‘Our circus people always use it when they are hurt in the ring, sir,’ the girl replied, looking over her shoulder to make sure Bitzer had gone. ‘Sometimes they get terrible bruises.’

‘They deserve it for being idle,’ said Mr. Bounderby. She looked up at his face with surprise and fear.

‘Good heavens!’ said Mr. Bounderby. ‘When I was four or five years younger than you, my bruises were so bad that ten, twenty, or forty oils could not have removed them. I did not get them from performing. I got them from being beaten. I did not dance on a rope. I danced on the bare ground while people beat me with one.’

Mr. Gradgrind was a hard man, but he was not nearly as rough as Mr. Bounderby. Considering everything, he was not naturally unkind. He might even have been very kind if, years earlier, he had made one large mistake in the calculations that had shaped his character. As they entered a narrow road, he tried to sound reassuring and said, ‘So this is Pod’s End, is it, Jupe?’

En/Pt → ‘Yes, sir, and - if you do not mind, sir - this is the house.’

At twilight, she stopped at the door of a poor little public house with dim red lights. It looked exhausted and shabby, as if the lack of customers had made the building itself begin to drink, follow the path of every drunkard, and approach its end.

‘It is only across the bar and up the stairs, sir. Please wait there while I get a candle. If you hear a dog, it is only Merrylegs, and he only barks.’

‘Merrylegs and nine oils, eh!’ said Mr. Bounderby, entering last with his metallic laugh. ‘Not bad for a self-made man!’

CHAPTER VI Sleary’s Horsemanship

En/Pt → The public house was called the Pegasus’s Arms. A picture of the winged horse hung on its sign, with the name written below in Roman letters. Under that, a painted scroll carried these lines:

Good malt makes good beer; come in and they will serve it here. Good wine makes good brandy; visit us and you will find it useful.

Behind the small, dirty bar hung another framed Pegasus, made for the theatre. His wings were real gauze, golden stars covered his body, and his fine harness was red silk.

It was too dark outside to see the sign and not light enough inside to see the picture, so the fanciful images did not offend Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby. They followed the girl up steep stairs and waited in darkness while she fetched a candle. They expected Merrylegs to bark, but the trained dog remained silent until the girl returned.

En/Pt → ‘Father is not in our room, sir,’ Sissy said in surprise. ‘Please come in while I find him.’ She gave them two chairs and hurried away. The poor room held a bed and Signor Jupe’s stage cap, decorated with peacock feathers and a stiff pigtail. Nothing else showed any sign of him, his work, or even Merrylegs.

They heard Sissy opening and closing doors upstairs as she searched, then heard surprised voices. She rushed back down, opened an old damaged trunk, found it empty, and looked around with clasped hands and a terrified face.

‘Father must have gone to the circus booth, sir. I do not know why, but he must be there. I will bring him in a minute!’ She ran out without her bonnet, her long dark hair flying behind her.

‘What does she mean by “back in a minute”?’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘It is more than a mile away.’

En/Pt → Before Mr. Bounderby answered, a young man entered with his hands in his pockets. He had a thin pale face, much dark hair, strong short legs, and a very broad chest and back. His clothes and smell mixed the stable with the theatre. He was Mr. E. W. B. Childers, famous for a dangerous riding act as the Wild Huntsman. A small, old-looking boy played his son in the act. On stage the boy dressed as Cupid, but in private he wore a short coat, had a rough voice, and behaved like a man of the horse-racing world.

‘Excuse me, gentlemen,’ said Mr. Childers, looking around. ‘I believe you wanted to see Jupe.’

‘Yes,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘His daughter has gone to find him, but I cannot wait. I will leave a message with you, if you please.’

Mr. Bounderby added, ‘My friend, we are people who know the value of time, while people like you do not.’

En/Pt → Mr. Childers looked him from head to foot and replied, ‘I do not have the honour of knowing you. But if you mean that your time earns more money than mine, your appearance suggests that you are right.’

‘And after making money, I suppose you can keep it too,’ said Cupid.

‘Kidderminster, stop that!’ said Mr. Childers. Kidderminster was Cupid’s real name.

‘Then why does he come here and insult us?’ cried Kidderminster angrily. ‘If you want to insult us, pay at the door and do it during the show.’

‘Kidderminster, stop!’ Mr. Childers said more loudly. Then he told Mr. Gradgrind, ‘I was speaking to you, sir. You may not know that Jupe has often failed in his performances lately.’

‘He has missed what?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, looking to Bounderby for help.

‘He has failed in his act.’

‘He tried the Garters four times last night and failed every time,’ said Kidderminster. ‘He also failed with the banners and was weak in his tumbling.’

En/Pt → Mr. Childers explained, ‘He did not do what he should. His jumps were short and his tumbling was poor.’

‘Oh,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘So that is what the expression means?’

‘That is generally what it means,’ Mr. Childers answered.

‘Nine oils, Merrylegs, failed acts, garters, banners, and tumbling!’ Bounderby cried with his loudest laugh. ‘What strange company for a self-made man!’

Cupid replied, ‘Then lower yourself! If you have risen so high, come down a little.’

‘This boy is very rude!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, turning toward him with an angry frown.

Kidderminster answered without shame, ‘We would have arranged a young gentleman to meet you if we had known you were coming. It is a pity you did not book a special performance, since you are so particular. You perform on the tight rope, do you?’

Mr. Gradgrind looked desperate and asked, ‘What does this rude boy mean by “tight rope”?’

En/Pt → ‘Get out!’ said Mr. Childers, pushing the boy from the room. ‘It does not matter whether it is a tight rope or a slack rope. You were going to leave me a message for Jupe?’

‘Yes, I was.’

Mr. Childers quickly continued, ‘In my opinion, he will never receive it. Do you know him well?’

‘I have never seen the man in my life.’

‘I doubt you ever will now. It is clear to me that he has run away.’

‘Do you mean that he has abandoned his daughter?’

‘Yes,’ said Mr. Childers, nodding. ‘He has gone. The audience rejected him last night, the night before, and today. This has happened often lately, and he cannot bear it.’

Mr. Gradgrind solemnly and unwillingly asked, ‘Why has the audience rejected him so often?’

Childers said, ‘His joints are becoming stiff and his body is worn out. He can still speak well, but he cannot earn a living from that.’

En/Pt → ‘A speaker!’ Bounderby repeated. ‘Another strange word!’

‘A speaker, if you prefer that word,’ said Childers proudly, shaking his long hair. ‘The remarkable fact is that Jupe suffered more because his daughter knew he had failed than because of the failure itself.’

Bounderby interrupted, ‘Excellent, Gradgrind! He loves his daughter so much that he runs away from her! Listen, young man. I was not always rich. You may be surprised to hear that my own mother ran away from me.’

E. W. B. Childers clearly replied that this did not surprise him at all.

Bounderby said, ‘I was born in a ditch, and my mother left me. I have never excused her. I call her nearly the worst woman who ever lived, except my drunken grandmother. I have no false family pride or sentimental ideas. I speak plainly. In the same way, Jupe is a runaway criminal and a vagabond.’

En/Pt → Childers turned to him and replied, ‘I do not care what Jupe is, in English or French. I am telling your friend the facts. If you dislike hearing them, go outside. You talk loudly enough, but do it in your own building. Do you own a building?’

‘Perhaps,’ replied Mr. Bounderby, shaking his money and laughing.

‘Then please talk loudly in your own building,’ said Childers. ‘This one is not strong, and too much of you might make it fall down!’

After looking Bounderby from head to foot again, Childers turned away from him as if the matter were finished and faced Mr. Gradgrind.

‘Less than an hour ago, Jupe sent his daughter on an errand. Then he was seen leaving quietly, with his hat over his eyes and a bundle under his arm. She will never believe it, but he has run away and left her.’

‘Why will she never believe it?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind.

En/Pt → ‘Because they were like one person and were never apart. Until now, he seemed to love her deeply,’ said Childers, looking into the empty trunk. Childers and Kidderminster both walked with their legs wide apart and stiff knees. All the men in Sleary’s company walked this way to suggest that they were always on horseback.

‘Poor Sissy! Her father should have made her an apprentice,’ said Childers, shaking his hair as he looked up from the empty trunk. ‘Now he has left her with no work to follow.’

Mr. Gradgrind approvingly replied, ‘It is good of you, although you were never an apprentice, to express that opinion.’

‘I was never an apprentice? I became one when I was seven years old.’

‘Really?’ said Mr. Gradgrind, annoyed that his praise had been undeserved. ‘I did not know that young people were apprenticed to - ’

‘Idleness,’ Bounderby interrupted with a loud laugh. ‘Neither did I!’

En/Pt → Ignoring Bounderby, Childers continued, ‘Her father always wanted her to receive a great education. I do not know why, but he never changed his mind. For seven years, he found someone to teach her a little reading here, some writing there, and arithmetic somewhere else.’

Childers took a hand from his pocket, rubbed his face and chin, and looked at Mr. Gradgrind with much doubt and a little hope. From the beginning, he had tried to win Gradgrind’s sympathy for the abandoned girl.

He continued, ‘When Sissy entered the school here, her father was extremely pleased. I did not understand why, since we travel from place to place. Perhaps he already planned to leave and thought she would be cared for. If you came tonight to offer her some help, it would be very fortunate and well timed.’

‘On the contrary,’ Mr. Gradgrind replied. ‘I came to say that her family connections made her unsuitable for the school and that she must leave. Still, if her father truly abandoned her without her knowledge - Bounderby, let me speak with you.’

En/Pt → Childers politely went to the landing and waited, rubbing his face and softly whistling. He heard Bounderby say, ‘No. I advise against it.’ In a lower voice, Gradgrind answered, ‘But think of her as an example to Louisa of where this vulgar curiosity leads and how it ends.’

Meanwhile, Sleary’s performers slowly came down and gathered in the room. There were young women, husbands, mothers, and many children who played fairies. The men performed difficult balancing, dancing, juggling, riding, and jumping acts. The women danced on ropes and rode horses. They seemed wild and worldly, dressed untidily, lived without order, and had little education. Yet they were gentle and childlike, disliked dishonest tricks, and were always ready to help and pity one another. These qualities deserved as much respect as the ordinary virtues of any social class.

Mr. Sleary appeared last. He was a heavy man with one fixed eye and one wandering eye. His voice sounded like broken bellows, his body was soft, and his confused mind was never completely sober or completely drunk.

En/Pt → ‘Sir,’ said the asthmatic Mr. Sleary, whose heavy breathing made the letter s difficult to pronounce. ‘This is bad business. Have you heard that my clown and his dog seem to have disappeared?’

He spoke to Mr. Gradgrind, who answered, ‘Yes.’

Sleary removed his hat and rubbed its lining with the handkerchief he kept inside it. ‘Do you intend to do anything for the poor girl, sir?’ he asked.

‘I will have a proposal for her when she returns,’ said Mr. Gradgrind.

‘I am glad to hear it, sir,’ said Sleary. ‘I do not want to send the child away or block her future. I am willing to take her as an apprentice, though she is rather old to begin. My voice is rough and hard for strangers to understand, but years of moving between heat and cold in the ring ruined it.’

‘I am sure they would,’ said Mr. Gradgrind.

En/Pt → ‘What will you drink while you wait, sir? Shall it be sherry? Name your drink!’ said Mr. Sleary warmly.

‘Nothing for me, thank you,’ said Mr. Gradgrind.

‘Do not say nothing, sir. What does your friend want? If you have not eaten, have a glass of bitters.’

Sleary’s daughter Josephine was a pretty fair-haired girl of eighteen. She had performed on a horse since she was two and carried a will asking that two coloured ponies pull her funeral carriage. She cried, ‘Father, be quiet! Sissy is back!’ Sissy ran into the room, saw everyone gathered and her father absent, and began to cry terribly. She fell into the arms of Emma Gordon, a pregnant tight-rope performer, who knelt to comfort her and wept with her.

‘It is a terrible shame, truly it is,’ said Sleary.

En/Pt → ‘My dear, kind father, where have you gone? I know you have gone to help me! You left for my sake! How unhappy and helpless you will be without me until you return!’ She said these things with her face raised and her arms reaching out, as if trying to stop and embrace his disappearing shadow. It was so painful that no one spoke until the impatient Mr. Bounderby took control.

Bounderby said, ‘Good people, this is a complete waste of time. Make the girl understand the facts. She can hear them from me, since I was also abandoned. Girl, your father has run away and deserted you. Do not expect to see him again while you live.’

These people cared so little for plain facts that Bounderby’s words did not impress them. Instead, they became very angry. The men muttered, ‘Shame!’ and the women said, ‘Brute!’ Sleary quickly gave Bounderby some private advice.

En/Pt → Sleary said, ‘I will speak plainly, sir. You had better stop and say no more. My people are very kind, but they move quickly. If you ignore my advice, I believe they will throw you out of the window.’

This gentle warning silenced Mr. Bounderby and gave Mr. Gradgrind a chance to present his practical view of the matter.

‘It does not matter whether this man may return someday or not,’ Gradgrind said. ‘He has gone, and at present no one expects him back. I believe everyone agrees on that.’

‘That is agreed, sir. Stay with that point!’ said Sleary.

Gradgrind continued, ‘I came to tell Jupe’s father that she could no longer attend the school because we object to accepting children of circus people. But the situation has changed, so I offer to care for you, Jupe, educate you, and support you. Besides behaving well, you must decide now whether to come with me or stay here. If you come, you must have no more contact with any of your friends present.’

En/Pt → Sleary said, ‘I must also speak so that she hears both choices. Cecilia, if you want to become an apprentice, you know the work and your companions. Emma Gordon would be a mother to you, and Josephine a sister. I am no angel, and if you failed in an act, I might become angry and swear. But I have never harmed a horse beyond swearing at it, and at my age I will not begin treating a rider differently. I have said what I needed to say.’

The end of Sleary’s speech was directed at Mr. Gradgrind, who seriously nodded and then spoke.

‘Jupe, I will say only one thing to influence your choice. A solid practical education is very desirable, and from what I hear, even your father understood this and wanted it for you.’

His final words clearly affected her. She stopped crying wildly, moved slightly away from Emma Gordon, and looked directly at Gradgrind. Everyone noticed the change and took a long breath that seemed to say, ‘She will go!’

En/Pt → Mr. Gradgrind warned her, ‘Be sure you know what you want, Jupe. I will say no more. Be certain of your decision.’

After a minute of silence, the girl began crying again. ‘When Father returns, how will he ever find me if I go away?’

Mr. Gradgrind calmly solved the problem like a mathematical sum. ‘You need not worry about that, Jupe. In that case, your father would have to find Mr. - ’

‘Sleary. That is my name, sir. I am not ashamed of it. I am known throughout England and always pay my debts.’

‘Your father would find Mr. Sleary, who would tell him where you went. I could not keep you against his wishes, and he could easily find Mr. Thomas Gradgrind of Coketown at any time. I am well known.’

‘Well known,’ Sleary agreed, rolling his wandering eye. ‘You are the kind of gentleman who keeps a great deal of money away from our shows. But that does not matter now.’

En/Pt → After another silence, Sissy covered her face and cried, ‘Oh, give me my clothes and let me leave before my heart breaks!’

The women sadly gathered her few clothes and packed them in a basket that had often travelled with them. Sissy sat on the floor, crying and covering her eyes. Gradgrind and Bounderby waited near the door to take her away. Sleary stood in the middle with the men around him, just as he stood in the circus ring during Josephine’s act. Only his whip was missing.

When the basket was packed, the women brought Sissy’s bonnet, smoothed her messy hair, and put it on her. They gathered around, kissed and embraced her, and brought the children to say goodbye. They were simple, foolish, but very tender-hearted women.

‘Now, Jupe,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘If you are fully decided, come!’

En/Pt → But Sissy still had to say goodbye to the men. Each performer opened his folded arms and kissed her, except Kidderminster. He was naturally unfriendly, had once hoped to marry her, and moved away in a bad mood. Sleary came last. He opened his arms, took both her hands, and would normally have bounced her up and down as a riding master congratulates a performer. But Sissy did not respond and only stood crying.

‘Goodbye, my dear,’ said Sleary. ‘I hope you make your fortune, and I promise none of our poor people will trouble you. I wish your father had not taken his dog, because it is inconvenient to remove the dog from our advertisements. But the dog would not perform without his master, so it makes no difference.’

Sleary looked closely at Sissy with his fixed eye and at his company with the wandering one. Then he kissed her, shook his head, and handed her to Mr. Gradgrind as if she were a horse.

En/Pt → “There she is, sir,” Sleary said, looking her over professionally. “She will do you justice. Goodbye, Cecilia!”

“Goodbye, Cecilia!” “Goodbye, Sissy!” “God bless you, dear!” called many voices around the room.

Sleary noticed the bottle of nine oils inside her dress. “Leave it, dear. It is large and will be no use now. Give it to me.”

“No!” she cried through fresh tears. “Please let me keep it for Father until he returns. He will need it. He never planned to leave when he sent me to buy it.”

“So be it, dear,” said Sleary. “Obey your agreement and the gentleman, and forget us. But when you grow up and are comfortable, do not judge circus riders harshly. Help them if you can. People need amusement; they cannot always work or study. Think of the best in us, not the worst. That is my philosophy.”

Sleary continued explaining his philosophy as they went downstairs. Soon his fixed eye and his rolling eye lost sight of the three people and their basket in the dark street.

CHAPTER VII Mrs. Sparsit

En/Pt → Because Mr. Bounderby was unmarried, an older woman managed his home for a yearly salary. Her name was Mrs. Sparsit. Bounderby proudly displayed her beside him, although he always claimed to be humble.

Mrs. Sparsit had once lived better and came from an important family. Her great-aunt was Lady Scadgers, and her dead husband belonged through his mother to the ancient Powler family. The Powlers had a long history, though they often lost their money through horses, gambling, loans, and debt.

Lady Scadgers arranged the marriage between young Mr. Sparsit and her older relative. He inherited money but had already spent it in advance. He died at twenty-four in Calais because of brandy, leaving his separated wife poor. After arguing with Lady Scadgers, the widow took paid work. Now, older and still proud, Mrs. Sparsit made Bounderby's breakfast tea.

Bounderby displayed Mrs. Sparsit like a conqueror showing a captured princess. He lowered his own origins and praised hers. He described her youth as perfectly privileged, then boasted that she now managed the home of Josiah Bounderby for one hundred pounds a year.

En/Pt → Bounderby repeated this story so often that others began repeating it too. He not only praised himself but made other men praise him. At Coketown dinners, strangers described him as the perfect symbol of England and all its rights and traditions. Such speeches often ended with the lines:

“Princes and lords may rise or disappear; one breath can create them, as one breath created them.”

When a speaker used these lines, everyone understood that he had heard about Mrs. Sparsit.

“Mr. Bounderby,” said Mrs. Sparsit, “you are eating breakfast unusually slowly this morning.”

“I am thinking about Tom Gradgrind's strange idea of raising the circus girl,” Bounderby replied. He always called his friend Tom to sound independent.

“The girl is waiting to learn whether she should go directly to school or to Stone Lodge,” said Mrs. Sparsit.

“She must wait until I know,” Bounderby answered. “Gradgrind should arrive soon. If he wants her to stay here another day or two, she can.”

En/Pt → “Of course she can, if you wish it, Mr. Bounderby.”

“I gave her a simple bed here last night so Gradgrind could think before allowing her near Louisa.”

“Indeed, Mr. Bounderby? How thoughtful!” Mrs. Sparsit's proud nose widened slightly, and her black eyebrows tightened as she drank her tea.

“It seems clear to me,” said Bounderby, “that the little girl will gain little from such company.”

“Are you speaking about young Miss Gradgrind, Mr. Bounderby?”

“Yes, I mean Louisa.”

“You only said ‘the little girl,’” Mrs. Sparsit explained. “Since there are two girls, I did not know which one you meant.”

“Louisa,” Mr. Bounderby repeated. “Louisa, Louisa.”

“You are like another father to Louisa, sir.” Mrs. Sparsit drank more tea. Her dark eyebrows and severe face made her look as if she were calling upon dark gods.

“You would be closer if you said I was another father to young Tom. I am going to take him into my office and keep him under my protection.”

En/Pt → “Indeed? Is he not rather young, sir?” Mrs. Sparsit's formal “sir” demanded respect for herself more than it honored Bounderby.

“Not immediately. First he must finish having education forced into him,” said Bounderby. He boasted that at Tom's age his own mind had been empty of learning. He told Mrs. Sparsit that her wealthy childhood at the Italian Opera made it impossible for her to understand circus performers or his own poverty.

“I was certainly familiar with the Italian Opera from a very early age,” Mrs. Sparsit replied with sad dignity.

“So did I - but from outside,” Bounderby said. “The pavement there made a hard bed. People like you, raised on soft feathers, cannot understand that. I should speak to you only of rich dancers, fashionable London, lords, and ladies.”

“I hope that is unnecessary,” Mrs. Sparsit replied patiently. “I believe I have adapted to life's changes. I deserve no praise for enjoying your instructive stories, since everyone seems to share that feeling.”

En/Pt → “Perhaps people enjoy hearing, in his rough way, what Josiah Bounderby has suffered,” he said. “But you must admit that you were born into luxury.”

“I do not deny it, sir,” Mrs. Sparsit replied, shaking her head.

Bounderby had to rise and stand with his back to the fire while he looked at her. Her high birth made his present position seem even greater.

“And you belonged to the very highest society,” he said, warming his legs.

“That is true, sir,” Mrs. Sparsit answered with a false humility very different from his.

“You lived among the most fashionable people and all the rest,” said Bounderby.

“Yes, sir. That is certainly true,” Mrs. Sparsit replied with the sadness of someone who had lost her social position.

Bounderby bent his knees and held his legs in delight, laughing loudly. When Mr. Gradgrind and Louisa were announced, he shook the father's hand and kissed the daughter.

En/Pt → “Can Jupe be sent here, Bounderby?” asked Mr. Gradgrind.

Jupe was called in. She curtsied to Bounderby, Gradgrind, and Louisa, but nervously forgot Mrs. Sparsit. Bounderby noticed and spoke loudly:

“Listen, girl. The lady beside the teapot is Mrs. Sparsit, mistress of this house and a woman of important family. Whenever you enter this house, you must treat her with the greatest respect. I do not care how you treat me, because I claim no importance and came from the lowest people. But you will respect her, or you will not return.”

“I hope,” said Mr. Gradgrind calmly, “that she simply forgot by accident.”

“My friend suggests it was only an accident, Mrs. Sparsit,” said Bounderby. “Probably so. But you know I allow no mistakes in the respect owed to you.”

“You are very kind, sir,” Mrs. Sparsit replied with proud humility. “It is not worth discussing.”

Sissy had been quietly apologizing with tears in her eyes. Bounderby now sent her toward Gradgrind. She watched him closely while Louisa stood coldly nearby, looking at the floor. He began:

Original English Text

Front Matter

3. CHAPTER I The One Thing Needful

4. CHAPTER II Murdering the Innocents

5. CHAPTER III A Loophole

6. CHAPTER IV Mr. Bounderby

7. CHAPTER V The Keynote

8. CHAPTER VI Sleary’s Horsemanship

9. CHAPTER VII Mrs. Sparsit

Contents

Front Matter

Português → by Charles Dickens

HARD TIMES AND REPRINTED PIECES {0}

Português → * * * * *

Português → By CHARLES DICKENS

Português → * * * * *

Português → _With illustrations by Marcus Stone_, _Maurice_ _Greiffenhagen_, _and F. Walker_

Português → * * * * *

Português → LONDON: CHAPMAN & HALL, LD. NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS

Português → 1905

Português → CONTENTS

_BOOK THE FIRST_. _SOWING_ PAGE CHAPTER I _The One Thing Needful_ 3 CHAPTER II _Murdering the Innocents_ 4 CHAPTER III _A Loophole_ 8 CHAPTER IV _Mr. Bounderby_ 12 CHAPTER V _The Keynote_ 18 CHAPTER VI _Sleary’s Horsemanship_ 23 CHAPTER VII _Mrs. Sparsit_ 33 CHAPTER VIII _Never Wonder_ 38 CHAPTER IX _Sissy’s Progress_ 43 CHAPTER X _Stephen Blackpool_ 49 CHAPTER XI _No Way Out_ 53 CHAPTER XII _The Old Woman_ 59 CHAPTER XIII _Rachael_ 63 CHAPTER XIV _The Great Manufacturer_ 69 CHAPTER XV _Father and Daughter_ 73 CHAPTER XVI _Husband and Wife_ 79 _BOOK THE SECOND_. _REAPING_ CHAPTER I _Effects in the Bank_ 84 CHAPTER II _Mr. James Harthouse_ 94 CHAPTER III _The Whelp_ 101 CHAPTER IV _Men and Brothers_ 111 CHAPTER V _Men and Masters_ 105 CHAPTER VI _Fading Away_ 116 CHAPTER VII _Gunpowder_ 126 CHAPTER VIII _Explosion_ 136 CHAPTER IX _Hearing the Last of it_ 146 CHAPTER X _Mrs. Sparsit’s Staircase_ 152 CHAPTER XI _Lower and Lower_ 156 CHAPTER XII _Down_ 163 _BOOK THE THIRD_. _GARNERING_ CHAPTER I _Another Thing Needful_ 167 CHAPTER II _Very Ridiculous_ 172 CHAPTER III _Very Decided_ 179 CHAPTER IV _Lost_ 186 CHAPTER V _Found_ 193 CHAPTER VI _The Starlight_ 200 CHAPTER VII _Whelp-Hunting_ 208 CHAPTER VIII _Philosophical_ 216 CHAPTER IX _Final_ 222

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE _Stephen and Rachael in the Sick-room_ 64 _Mr. Harthouse Dining at the Bounderbys’_ 100 _Mr. Harthouse and Tom Gradgrind in the Garden_ 132 _Stephen Blackpool recovered from the Old Hell Shaft_ 206

CHAPTER I The One Thing Needful

Português → ‘NOW, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them. This is the principle on which I bring up my own children, and this is the principle on which I bring up these children. Stick to Facts, sir!’

The scene was a plain, bare, monotonous vault of a school-room, and the speaker’s square forefinger emphasized his observations by underscoring every sentence with a line on the schoolmaster’s sleeve. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s square wall of a forehead, which had his eyebrows for its base, while his eyes found commodious cellarage in two dark caves, overshadowed by the wall. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s mouth, which was wide, thin, and hard set. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s voice, which was inflexible, dry, and dictatorial. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s hair, which bristled on the skirts of his bald head, a plantation of firs to keep the wind from its shining surface, all covered with knobs, like the crust of a plum pie, as if the head had scarcely warehouse-room for the hard facts stored inside. The speaker’s obstinate carriage, square coat, square legs, square shoulders, - nay, his very neckcloth, trained to take him by the throat with an unaccommodating grasp, like a stubborn fact, as it was, - all helped the emphasis.

‘In this life, we want nothing but Facts, sir; nothing but Facts!’

The speaker, and the schoolmaster, and the third grown person present, all backed a little, and swept with their eyes the inclined plane of little vessels then and there arranged in order, ready to have imperial gallons of facts poured into them until they were full to the brim.

CHAPTER II Murdering the Innocents

Português → THOMAS GRADGRIND, sir. A man of realities. A man of facts and calculations. A man who proceeds upon the principle that two and two are four, and nothing over, and who is not to be talked into allowing for anything over. Thomas Gradgrind, sir - peremptorily Thomas - Thomas Gradgrind. With a rule and a pair of scales, and the multiplication table always in his pocket, sir, ready to weigh and measure any parcel of human nature, and tell you exactly what it comes to. It is a mere question of figures, a case of simple arithmetic. You might hope to get some other nonsensical belief into the head of George Gradgrind, or Augustus Gradgrind, or John Gradgrind, or Joseph Gradgrind (all supposititious, non-existent persons), but into the head of Thomas Gradgrind - no, sir!

In such terms Mr. Gradgrind always mentally introduced himself, whether to his private circle of acquaintance, or to the public in general. In such terms, no doubt, substituting the words ‘boys and girls,’ for ‘sir,’ Thomas Gradgrind now presented Thomas Gradgrind to the little pitchers before him, who were to be filled so full of facts.

Indeed, as he eagerly sparkled at them from the cellarage before mentioned, he seemed a kind of cannon loaded to the muzzle with facts, and prepared to blow them clean out of the regions of childhood at one discharge. He seemed a galvanizing apparatus, too, charged with a grim mechanical substitute for the tender young imaginations that were to be stormed away.

‘Girl number twenty,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, squarely pointing with his square forefinger, ‘I don’t know that girl. Who is that girl?’

‘Sissy Jupe, sir,’ explained number twenty, blushing, standing up, and curtseying.

‘Sissy is not a name,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Don’t call yourself Sissy. Call yourself Cecilia.’

Português → ‘It’s father as calls me Sissy, sir,’ returned the young girl in a trembling voice, and with another curtsey.

‘Then he has no business to do it,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Tell him he mustn’t. Cecilia Jupe. Let me see. What is your father?’

‘He belongs to the horse-riding, if you please, sir.’

Mr. Gradgrind frowned, and waved off the objectionable calling with his hand.

‘We don’t want to know anything about that, here. You mustn’t tell us about that, here. Your father breaks horses, don’t he?’

‘If you please, sir, when they can get any to break, they do break horses in the ring, sir.’

‘You mustn’t tell us about the ring, here. Very well, then. Describe your father as a horsebreaker. He doctors sick horses, I dare say?’

‘Oh yes, sir.’

‘Very well, then. He is a veterinary surgeon, a farrier, and horsebreaker. Give me your definition of a horse.’

(Sissy Jupe thrown into the greatest alarm by this demand.)

‘Girl number twenty unable to define a horse!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, for the general behoof of all the little pitchers. ‘Girl number twenty possessed of no facts, in reference to one of the commonest of animals! Some boy’s definition of a horse. Bitzer, yours.’

Português → The square finger, moving here and there, lighted suddenly on Bitzer, perhaps because he chanced to sit in the same ray of sunlight which, darting in at one of the bare windows of the intensely white-washed room, irradiated Sissy. For, the boys and girls sat on the face of the inclined plane in two compact bodies, divided up the centre by a narrow interval; and Sissy, being at the corner of a row on the sunny side, came in for the beginning of a sunbeam, of which Bitzer, being at the corner of a row on the other side, a few rows in advance, caught the end. But, whereas the girl was so dark-eyed and dark-haired, that she seemed to receive a deeper and more lustrous colour from the sun, when it shone upon her, the boy was so light-eyed and light-haired that the self-same rays appeared to draw out of him what little colour he ever possessed. His cold eyes would hardly have been eyes, but for the short ends of lashes which, by bringing them into immediate contrast with something paler than themselves, expressed their form. His short-cropped hair might have been a mere continuation of the sandy freckles on his forehead and face. His skin was so unwholesomely deficient in the natural tinge, that he looked as though, if he were cut, he would bleed white.

‘Bitzer,’ said Thomas Gradgrind. ‘Your definition of a horse.’

‘Quadruped. Graminivorous. Forty teeth, namely twenty-four grinders, four eye-teeth, and twelve incisive. Sheds coat in the spring; in marshy countries, sheds hoofs, too. Hoofs hard, but requiring to be shod with iron. Age known by marks in mouth.’ Thus (and much more) Bitzer.

‘Now girl number twenty,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘You know what a horse is.’

She curtseyed again, and would have blushed deeper, if she could have blushed deeper than she had blushed all this time. Bitzer, after rapidly blinking at Thomas Gradgrind with both eyes at once, and so catching the light upon his quivering ends of lashes that they looked like the antennæ of busy insects, put his knuckles to his freckled forehead, and sat down again.

Português → The third gentleman now stepped forth. A mighty man at cutting and drying, he was; a government officer; in his way (and in most other people’s too), a professed pugilist; always in training, always with a system to force down the general throat like a bolus, always to be heard of at the bar of his little Public-office, ready to fight all England. To continue in fistic phraseology, he had a genius for coming up to the scratch, wherever and whatever it was, and proving himself an ugly customer. He would go in and damage any subject whatever with his right, follow up with his left, stop, exchange, counter, bore his opponent (he always fought All England) to the ropes, and fall upon him neatly. He was certain to knock the wind out of common sense, and render that unlucky adversary deaf to the call of time. And he had it in charge from high authority to bring about the great public-office Millennium, when Commissioners should reign upon earth.

‘Very well,’ said this gentleman, briskly smiling, and folding his arms. ‘That’s a horse. Now, let me ask you girls and boys, Would you paper a room with representations of horses?’

After a pause, one half of the children cried in chorus, ‘Yes, sir!’ Upon which the other half, seeing in the gentleman’s face that Yes was wrong, cried out in chorus, ‘No, sir!’ - as the custom is, in these examinations.

‘Of course, No. Why wouldn’t you?’

A pause. One corpulent slow boy, with a wheezy manner of breathing, ventured the answer, Because he wouldn’t paper a room at all, but would paint it.

‘You _must_ paper it,’ said the gentleman, rather warmly.

Português → ‘You must paper it,’ said Thomas Gradgrind, ‘whether you like it or not. Don’t tell _us_ you wouldn’t paper it. What do you mean, boy?’

‘I’ll explain to you, then,’ said the gentleman, after another and a dismal pause, ‘why you wouldn’t paper a room with representations of horses. Do you ever see horses walking up and down the sides of rooms in reality - in fact? Do you?’

‘Yes, sir!’ from one half. ‘No, sir!’ from the other.

‘Of course no,’ said the gentleman, with an indignant look at the wrong half. ‘Why, then, you are not to see anywhere, what you don’t see in fact; you are not to have anywhere, what you don’t have in fact. What is called Taste, is only another name for Fact.’ Thomas Gradgrind nodded his approbation.

‘This is a new principle, a discovery, a great discovery,’ said the gentleman. ‘Now, I’ll try you again. Suppose you were going to carpet a room. Would you use a carpet having a representation of flowers upon it?’

There being a general conviction by this time that ‘No, sir!’ was always the right answer to this gentleman, the chorus of NO was very strong. Only a few feeble stragglers said Yes: among them Sissy Jupe.

Português → ‘Girl number twenty,’ said the gentleman, smiling in the calm strength of knowledge.

Sissy blushed, and stood up.

‘So you would carpet your room - or your husband’s room, if you were a grown woman, and had a husband - with representations of flowers, would you?’ said the gentleman. ‘Why would you?’

‘If you please, sir, I am very fond of flowers,’ returned the girl.

‘And is that why you would put tables and chairs upon them, and have people walking over them with heavy boots?’

‘It wouldn’t hurt them, sir. They wouldn’t crush and wither, if you please, sir. They would be the pictures of what was very pretty and pleasant, and I would fancy - ’

‘Ay, ay, ay! But you mustn’t fancy,’ cried the gentleman, quite elated by coming so happily to his point. ‘That’s it! You are never to fancy.’

‘You are not, Cecilia Jupe,’ Thomas Gradgrind solemnly repeated, ‘to do anything of that kind.’

‘Fact, fact, fact!’ said the gentleman. And ‘Fact, fact, fact!’ repeated Thomas Gradgrind.

Português → ‘You are to be in all things regulated and governed,’ said the gentleman, ‘by fact. We hope to have, before long, a board of fact, composed of commissioners of fact, who will force the people to be a people of fact, and of nothing but fact. You must discard the word Fancy altogether. You have nothing to do with it. You are not to have, in any object of use or ornament, what would be a contradiction in fact. You don’t walk upon flowers in fact; you cannot be allowed to walk upon flowers in carpets. You don’t find that foreign birds and butterflies come and perch upon your crockery; you cannot be permitted to paint foreign birds and butterflies upon your crockery. You never meet with quadrupeds going up and down walls; you must not have quadrupeds represented upon walls. You must use,’ said the gentleman, ‘for all these purposes, combinations and modifications (in primary colours) of mathematical figures which are susceptible of proof and demonstration. This is the new discovery. This is fact. This is taste.’

The girl curtseyed, and sat down. She was very young, and she looked as if she were frightened by the matter-of-fact prospect the world afforded.

‘Now, if Mr. M’Choakumchild,’ said the gentleman, ‘will proceed to give his first lesson here, Mr. Gradgrind, I shall be happy, at your request, to observe his mode of procedure.’

Mr. Gradgrind was much obliged. ‘Mr. M’Choakumchild, we only wait for you.’

So, Mr. M’Choakumchild began in his best manner. He and some one hundred and forty other schoolmasters, had been lately turned at the same time, in the same factory, on the same principles, like so many pianoforte legs. He had been put through an immense variety of paces, and had answered volumes of head-breaking questions. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and levelling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. He had worked his stony way into Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council’s Schedule B, and had taken the bloom off the higher branches of mathematics and physical science, French, German, Latin, and Greek. He knew all about all the Water Sheds of all the world (whatever they are), and all the histories of all the peoples, and all the names of all the rivers and mountains, and all the productions, manners, and customs of all the countries, and all their boundaries and bearings on the two and thirty points of the compass. Ah, rather overdone, M’Choakumchild. If he had only learnt a little less, how infinitely better he might have taught much more!

Português → He went to work in this preparatory lesson, not unlike Morgiana in the Forty Thieves: looking into all the vessels ranged before him, one after another, to see what they contained. Say, good M’Choakumchild. When from thy boiling store, thou shalt fill each jar brim full by-and-by, dost thou think that thou wilt always kill outright the robber Fancy lurking within - or sometimes only maim him and distort him!

CHAPTER III A Loophole

Português → MR. GRADGRIND walked homeward from the school, in a state of considerable satisfaction. It was his school, and he intended it to be a model. He intended every child in it to be a model - just as the young Gradgrinds were all models.

There were five young Gradgrinds, and they were models every one. They had been lectured at, from their tenderest years; coursed, like little hares. Almost as soon as they could run alone, they had been made to run to the lecture-room. The first object with which they had an association, or of which they had a remembrance, was a large black board with a dry Ogre chalking ghastly white figures on it.

Not that they knew, by name or nature, anything about an Ogre Fact forbid! I only use the word to express a monster in a lecturing castle, with Heaven knows how many heads manipulated into one, taking childhood captive, and dragging it into gloomy statistical dens by the hair.

No little Gradgrind had ever seen a face in the moon; it was up in the moon before it could speak distinctly. No little Gradgrind had ever learnt the silly jingle, Twinkle, twinkle, little star; how I wonder what you are! No little Gradgrind had ever known wonder on the subject, each little Gradgrind having at five years old dissected the Great Bear like a Professor Owen, and driven Charles’s Wain like a locomotive engine-driver. No little Gradgrind had ever associated a cow in a field with that famous cow with the crumpled horn who tossed the dog who worried the cat who killed the rat who ate the malt, or with that yet more famous cow who swallowed Tom Thumb: it had never heard of those celebrities, and had only been introduced to a cow as a graminivorous ruminating quadruped with several stomachs.

Português → To his matter-of-fact home, which was called Stone Lodge, Mr. Gradgrind directed his steps. He had virtually retired from the wholesale hardware trade before he built Stone Lodge, and was now looking about for a suitable opportunity of making an arithmetical figure in Parliament. Stone Lodge was situated on a moor within a mile or two of a great town - called Coketown in the present faithful guide-book.

A very regular feature on the face of the country, Stone Lodge was. Not the least disguise toned down or shaded off that uncompromising fact in the landscape. A great square house, with a heavy portico darkening the principal windows, as its master’s heavy brows overshadowed his eyes. A calculated, cast up, balanced, and proved house. Six windows on this side of the door, six on that side; a total of twelve in this wing, a total of twelve in the other wing; four-and-twenty carried over to the back wings. A lawn and garden and an infant avenue, all ruled straight like a botanical account-book. Gas and ventilation, drainage and water-service, all of the primest quality. Iron clamps and girders, fire-proof from top to bottom; mechanical lifts for the housemaids, with all their brushes and brooms; everything that heart could desire.

Everything? Well, I suppose so. The little Gradgrinds had cabinets in various departments of science too. They had a little conchological cabinet, and a little metallurgical cabinet, and a little mineralogical cabinet; and the specimens were all arranged and labelled, and the bits of stone and ore looked as though they might have been broken from the parent substances by those tremendously hard instruments their own names; and, to paraphrase the idle legend of Peter Piper, who had never found his way into their nursery, If the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped at more than this, what was it for good gracious goodness’ sake, that the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped it!

Their father walked on in a hopeful and satisfied frame of mind. He was an affectionate father, after his manner; but he would probably have described himself (if he had been put, like Sissy Jupe, upon a definition) as ‘an eminently practical’ father. He had a particular pride in the phrase eminently practical, which was considered to have a special application to him. Whatsoever the public meeting held in Coketown, and whatsoever the subject of such meeting, some Coketowner was sure to seize the occasion of alluding to his eminently practical friend Gradgrind. This always pleased the eminently practical friend. He knew it to be his due, but his due was acceptable.

Português → He had reached the neutral ground upon the outskirts of the town, which was neither town nor country, and yet was either spoiled, when his ears were invaded by the sound of music. The clashing and banging band attached to the horse-riding establishment, which had there set up its rest in a wooden pavilion, was in full bray. A flag, floating from the summit of the temple, proclaimed to mankind that it was ‘Sleary’s Horse-riding’ which claimed their suffrages. Sleary himself, a stout modern statue with a money-box at its elbow, in an ecclesiastical niche of early Gothic architecture, took the money. Miss Josephine Sleary, as some very long and very narrow strips of printed bill announced, was then inaugurating the entertainments with her graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’

Thomas Gradgrind took no heed of these trivialities of course, but passed on as a practical man ought to pass on, either brushing the noisy insects from his thoughts, or consigning them to the House of Correction. But, the turning of the road took him by the back of the booth, and at the back of the booth a number of children were congregated in a number of stealthy attitudes, striving to peep in at the hidden glories of the place.

This brought him to a stop. ‘Now, to think of these vagabonds,’ said he, ‘attracting the young rabble from a model school.’

A space of stunted grass and dry rubbish being between him and the young rabble, he took his eyeglass out of his waistcoat to look for any child he knew by name, and might order off. Phenomenon almost incredible though distinctly seen, what did he then behold but his own metallurgical Louisa, peeping with all her might through a hole in a deal board, and his own mathematical Thomas abasing himself on the ground to catch but a hoof of the graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act!

Português → Dumb with amazement, Mr. Gradgrind crossed to the spot where his family was thus disgraced, laid his hand upon each erring child, and said:

‘Louisa!! Thomas!!’

Both rose, red and disconcerted. But, Louisa looked at her father with more boldness than Thomas did. Indeed, Thomas did not look at him, but gave himself up to be taken home like a machine.

‘In the name of wonder, idleness, and folly!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, leading each away by a hand; ‘what do you do here?’

‘Wanted to see what it was like,’ returned Louisa, shortly.

‘What it was like?’

‘Yes, father.’

There was an air of jaded sullenness in them both, and particularly in the girl: yet, struggling through the dissatisfaction of her face, there was a light with nothing to rest upon, a fire with nothing to burn, a starved imagination keeping life in itself somehow, which brightened its expression. Not with the brightness natural to cheerful youth, but with uncertain, eager, doubtful flashes, which had something painful in them, analogous to the changes on a blind face groping its way.

She was a child now, of fifteen or sixteen; but at no distant day would seem to become a woman all at once. Her father thought so as he looked at her. She was pretty. Would have been self-willed (he thought in his eminently practical way) but for her bringing-up.

Português → ‘Thomas, though I have the fact before me, I find it difficult to believe that you, with your education and resources, should have brought your sister to a scene like this.’

‘I brought _him_, father,’ said Louisa, quickly. ‘I asked him to come.’

‘I am sorry to hear it. I am very sorry indeed to hear it. It makes Thomas no better, and it makes you worse, Louisa.’

She looked at her father again, but no tear fell down her cheek.

‘You! Thomas and you, to whom the circle of the sciences is open; Thomas and you, who may be said to be replete with facts; Thomas and you, who have been trained to mathematical exactness; Thomas and you, here!’ cried Mr. Gradgrind. ‘In this degraded position! I am amazed.’

‘I was tired, father. I have been tired a long time,’ said Louisa.

‘Tired? Of what?’ asked the astonished father.

‘I don’t know of what - of everything, I think.’

Português → ‘Say not another word,’ returned Mr. Gradgrind. ‘You are childish. I will hear no more.’ He did not speak again until they had walked some half-a-mile in silence, when he gravely broke out with: ‘What would your best friends say, Louisa? Do you attach no value to their good opinion? What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ At the mention of this name, his daughter stole a look at him, remarkable for its intense and searching character. He saw nothing of it, for before he looked at her, she had again cast down her eyes!

‘What,’ he repeated presently, ‘would Mr. Bounderby say?’ All the way to Stone Lodge, as with grave indignation he led the two delinquents home, he repeated at intervals ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ - as if Mr. Bounderby had been Mrs. Grundy.

CHAPTER IV Mr. Bounderby

Português → NOT being Mrs. Grundy, who _was_ Mr. Bounderby?

Why, Mr. Bounderby was as near being Mr. Gradgrind’s bosom friend, as a man perfectly devoid of sentiment can approach that spiritual relationship towards another man perfectly devoid of sentiment. So near was Mr. Bounderby - or, if the reader should prefer it, so far off.

He was a rich man: banker, merchant, manufacturer, and what not. A big, loud man, with a stare, and a metallic laugh. A man made out of a coarse material, which seemed to have been stretched to make so much of him. A man with a great puffed head and forehead, swelled veins in his temples, and such a strained skin to his face that it seemed to hold his eyes open, and lift his eyebrows up. A man with a pervading appearance on him of being inflated like a balloon, and ready to start. A man who could never sufficiently vaunt himself a self-made man. A man who was always proclaiming, through that brassy speaking-trumpet of a voice of his, his old ignorance and his old poverty. A man who was the Bully of humility.

Português → A year or two younger than his eminently practical friend, Mr. Bounderby looked older; his seven or eight and forty might have had the seven or eight added to it again, without surprising anybody. He had not much hair. One might have fancied he had talked it off; and that what was left, all standing up in disorder, was in that condition from being constantly blown about by his windy boastfulness.

In the formal drawing-room of Stone Lodge, standing on the hearthrug, warming himself before the fire, Mr. Bounderby delivered some observations to Mrs. Gradgrind on the circumstance of its being his birthday. He stood before the fire, partly because it was a cool spring afternoon, though the sun shone; partly because the shade of Stone Lodge was always haunted by the ghost of damp mortar; partly because he thus took up a commanding position, from which to subdue Mrs. Gradgrind.

‘I hadn’t a shoe to my foot. As to a stocking, I didn’t know such a thing by name. I passed the day in a ditch, and the night in a pigsty. That’s the way I spent my tenth birthday. Not that a ditch was new to me, for I was born in a ditch.’

Português → Mrs. Gradgrind, a little, thin, white, pink-eyed bundle of shawls, of surpassing feebleness, mental and bodily; who was always taking physic without any effect, and who, whenever she showed a symptom of coming to life, was invariably stunned by some weighty piece of fact tumbling on her; Mrs. Gradgrind hoped it was a dry ditch?

‘No! As wet as a sop. A foot of water in it,’ said Mr. Bounderby.

‘Enough to give a baby cold,’ Mrs. Gradgrind considered.

‘Cold? I was born with inflammation of the lungs, and of everything else, I believe, that was capable of inflammation,’ returned Mr. Bounderby. ‘For years, ma’am, I was one of the most miserable little wretches ever seen. I was so sickly, that I was always moaning and groaning. I was so ragged and dirty, that you wouldn’t have touched me with a pair of tongs.’

Mrs. Gradgrind faintly looked at the tongs, as the most appropriate thing her imbecility could think of doing.

Português → ‘How I fought through it, _I_ don’t know,’ said Bounderby. ‘I was determined, I suppose. I have been a determined character in later life, and I suppose I was then. Here I am, Mrs. Gradgrind, anyhow, and nobody to thank for my being here, but myself.’

Mrs. Gradgrind meekly and weakly hoped that his mother -

‘_My_ mother? Bolted, ma’am!’ said Bounderby.

Mrs. Gradgrind, stunned as usual, collapsed and gave it up.

‘My mother left me to my grandmother,’ said Bounderby; ‘and, according to the best of my remembrance, my grandmother was the wickedest and the worst old woman that ever lived. If I got a little pair of shoes by any chance, she would take ’em off and sell ’em for drink. Why, I have known that grandmother of mine lie in her bed and drink her four-teen glasses of liquor before breakfast!’

Mrs. Gradgrind, weakly smiling, and giving no other sign of vitality, looked (as she always did) like an indifferently executed transparency of a small female figure, without enough light behind it.

Português → ‘She kept a chandler’s shop,’ pursued Bounderby, ‘and kept me in an egg-box. That was the cot of _my_ infancy; an old egg-box. As soon as I was big enough to run away, of course I ran away. Then I became a young vagabond; and instead of one old woman knocking me about and starving me, everybody of all ages knocked me about and starved me. They were right; they had no business to do anything else. I was a nuisance, an incumbrance, and a pest. I know that very well.’

His pride in having at any time of his life achieved such a great social distinction as to be a nuisance, an incumbrance, and a pest, was only to be satisfied by three sonorous repetitions of the boast.

Português → ‘I was to pull through it, I suppose, Mrs. Gradgrind. Whether I was to do it or not, ma’am, I did it. I pulled through it, though nobody threw me out a rope. Vagabond, errand-boy, vagabond, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Those are the antecedents, and the culmination. Josiah Bounderby of Coketown learnt his letters from the outsides of the shops, Mrs. Gradgrind, and was first able to tell the time upon a dial-plate, from studying the steeple clock of St. Giles’s Church, London, under the direction of a drunken cripple, who was a convicted thief, and an incorrigible vagrant. Tell Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, of your district schools and your model schools, and your training schools, and your whole kettle-of-fish of schools; and Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, tells you plainly, all right, all correct - he hadn’t such advantages - but let us have hard-headed, solid-fisted people - the education that made him won’t do for everybody, he knows well - such and such his education was, however, and you may force him to swallow boiling fat, but you shall never force him to suppress the facts of his life.’

Being heated when he arrived at this climax, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown stopped. He stopped just as his eminently practical friend, still accompanied by the two young culprits, entered the room. His eminently practical friend, on seeing him, stopped also, and gave Louisa a reproachful look that plainly said, ‘Behold your Bounderby!’

Português → ‘Well!’ blustered Mr. Bounderby, ‘what’s the matter? What is young Thomas in the dumps about?’

He spoke of young Thomas, but he looked at Louisa.

‘We were peeping at the circus,’ muttered Louisa, haughtily, without lifting up her eyes, ‘and father caught us.’

‘And, Mrs. Gradgrind,’ said her husband in a lofty manner, ‘I should as soon have expected to find my children reading poetry.’

‘Dear me,’ whimpered Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘How can you, Louisa and Thomas! I wonder at you. I declare you’re enough to make one regret ever having had a family at all. I have a great mind to say I wish I hadn’t. _Then_ what would you have done, I should like to know?’

Mr. Gradgrind did not seem favourably impressed by these cogent remarks. He frowned impatiently.

‘As if, with my head in its present throbbing state, you couldn’t go and look at the shells and minerals and things provided for you, instead of circuses!’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘You know, as well as I do, no young people have circus masters, or keep circuses in cabinets, or attend lectures about circuses. What can you possibly want to know of circuses then? I am sure you have enough to do, if that’s what you want. With my head in its present state, I couldn’t remember the mere names of half the facts you have got to attend to.’

Português → ‘That’s the reason!’ pouted Louisa.

‘Don’t tell me that’s the reason, because it can’t be nothing of the sort,’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘Go and be somethingological directly.’ Mrs. Gradgrind was not a scientific character, and usually dismissed her children to their studies with this general injunction to choose their pursuit.

In truth, Mrs. Gradgrind’s stock of facts in general was woefully defective; but Mr. Gradgrind in raising her to her high matrimonial position, had been influenced by two reasons. Firstly, she was most satisfactory as a question of figures; and, secondly, she had ‘no nonsense’ about her. By nonsense he meant fancy; and truly it is probable she was as free from any alloy of that nature, as any human being not arrived at the perfection of an absolute idiot, ever was.

The simple circumstance of being left alone with her husband and Mr. Bounderby, was sufficient to stun this admirable lady again without collision between herself and any other fact. So, she once more died away, and nobody minded her.

Português → ‘Bounderby,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, drawing a chair to the fireside, ‘you are always so interested in my young people - particularly in Louisa - that I make no apology for saying to you, I am very much vexed by this discovery. I have systematically devoted myself (as you know) to the education of the reason of my family. The reason is (as you know) the only faculty to which education should be addressed. ‘And yet, Bounderby, it would appear from this unexpected circumstance of to-day, though in itself a trifling one, as if something had crept into Thomas’s and Louisa’s minds which is - or rather, which is not - I don’t know that I can express myself better than by saying - which has never been intended to be developed, and in which their reason has no part.’

‘There certainly is no reason in looking with interest at a parcel of vagabonds,’ returned Bounderby. ‘When I was a vagabond myself, nobody looked with any interest at _me_; I know that.’

‘Then comes the question; said the eminently practical father, with his eyes on the fire, ‘in what has this vulgar curiosity its rise?’

‘I’ll tell you in what. In idle imagination.’

‘I hope not,’ said the eminently practical; ‘I confess, however, that the misgiving _has_ crossed me on my way home.’

Português → ‘In idle imagination, Gradgrind,’ repeated Bounderby. ‘A very bad thing for anybody, but a cursed bad thing for a girl like Louisa. I should ask Mrs. Gradgrind’s pardon for strong expressions, but that she knows very well I am not a refined character. Whoever expects refinement in _me_ will be disappointed. I hadn’t a refined bringing up.’

‘Whether,’ said Gradgrind, pondering with his hands in his pockets, and his cavernous eyes on the fire, ‘whether any instructor or servant can have suggested anything? Whether Louisa or Thomas can have been reading anything? Whether, in spite of all precautions, any idle story-book can have got into the house? Because, in minds that have been practically formed by rule and line, from the cradle upwards, this is so curious, so incomprehensible.’

‘Stop a bit!’ cried Bounderby, who all this time had been standing, as before, on the hearth, bursting at the very furniture of the room with explosive humility. ‘You have one of those strollers’ children in the school.’

‘Cecilia Jupe, by name,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, with something of a stricken look at his friend.

Português → ‘Now, stop a bit!’ cried Bounderby again. ‘How did she come there?’

‘Why, the fact is, I saw the girl myself, for the first time, only just now. She specially applied here at the house to be admitted, as not regularly belonging to our town, and - yes, you are right, Bounderby, you are right.’

‘Now, stop a bit!’ cried Bounderby, once more. ‘Louisa saw her when she came?’

‘Louisa certainly did see her, for she mentioned the application to me. But Louisa saw her, I have no doubt, in Mrs. Gradgrind’s presence.’

‘Pray, Mrs. Gradgrind,’ said Bounderby, ‘what passed?’

‘Oh, my poor health!’ returned Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘The girl wanted to come to the school, and Mr. Gradgrind wanted girls to come to the school, and Louisa and Thomas both said that the girl wanted to come, and that Mr. Gradgrind wanted girls to come, and how was it possible to contradict them when such was the fact!’

‘Now I tell you what, Gradgrind!’ said Mr. Bounderby. ‘Turn this girl to the right about, and there’s an end of it.’

Português → ‘I am much of your opinion.’

‘Do it at once,’ said Bounderby, ‘has always been my motto from a child. When I thought I would run away from my egg-box and my grandmother, I did it at once. Do you the same. Do this at once!’

‘Are you walking?’ asked his friend. ‘I have the father’s address. Perhaps you would not mind walking to town with me?’

‘Not the least in the world,’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘as long as you do it at once!’

So, Mr. Bounderby threw on his hat - he always threw it on, as expressing a man who had been far too busily employed in making himself, to acquire any fashion of wearing his hat - and with his hands in his pockets, sauntered out into the hall. ‘I never wear gloves,’ it was his custom to say. ‘I didn’t climb up the ladder in _them_. - Shouldn’t be so high up, if I had.’

Português → Being left to saunter in the hall a minute or two while Mr. Gradgrind went up-stairs for the address, he opened the door of the children’s study and looked into that serene floor-clothed apartment, which, notwithstanding its book-cases and its cabinets and its variety of learned and philosophical appliances, had much of the genial aspect of a room devoted to hair-cutting. Louisa languidly leaned upon the window looking out, without looking at anything, while young Thomas stood sniffing revengefully at the fire. Adam Smith and Malthus, two younger Gradgrinds, were out at lecture in custody; and little Jane, after manufacturing a good deal of moist pipe-clay on her face with slate-pencil and tears, had fallen asleep over vulgar fractions.

‘It’s all right now, Louisa: it’s all right, young Thomas,’ said Mr. Bounderby; ‘you won’t do so any more. I’ll answer for it’s being all over with father. Well, Louisa, that’s worth a kiss, isn’t it?’

‘You can take one, Mr. Bounderby,’ returned Louisa, when she had coldly paused, and slowly walked across the room, and ungraciously raised her cheek towards him, with her face turned away.

Português → ‘Always my pet; ain’t you, Louisa?’ said Mr. Bounderby. ‘Good-bye, Louisa!’

He went his way, but she stood on the same spot, rubbing the cheek he had kissed, with her handkerchief, until it was burning red. She was still doing this, five minutes afterwards.

‘What are you about, Loo?’ her brother sulkily remonstrated. ‘You’ll rub a hole in your face.’

‘You may cut the piece out with your penknife if you like, Tom. I wouldn’t cry!’

CHAPTER V The Keynote

Português → COKETOWN, to which Messrs. Bounderby and Gradgrind now walked, was a triumph of fact; it had no greater taint of fancy in it than Mrs. Gradgrind herself. Let us strike the key-note, Coketown, before pursuing our tune.

It was a town of red brick, or of brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it; but as matters stood, it was a town of unnatural red and black like the painted face of a savage. It was a town of machinery and tall chimneys, out of which interminable serpents of smoke trailed themselves for ever and ever, and never got uncoiled. It had a black canal in it, and a river that ran purple with ill-smelling dye, and vast piles of building full of windows where there was a rattling and a trembling all day long, and where the piston of the steam-engine worked monotonously up and down, like the head of an elephant in a state of melancholy madness. It contained several large streets all very like one another, and many small streets still more like one another, inhabited by people equally like one another, who all went in and out at the same hours, with the same sound upon the same pavements, to do the same work, and to whom every day was the same as yesterday and to-morrow, and every year the counterpart of the last and the next.

Português → These attributes of Coketown were in the main inseparable from the work by which it was sustained; against them were to be set off, comforts of life which found their way all over the world, and elegancies of life which made, we will not ask how much of the fine lady, who could scarcely bear to hear the place mentioned. The rest of its features were voluntary, and they were these.

You saw nothing in Coketown but what was severely workful. If the members of a religious persuasion built a chapel there - as the members of eighteen religious persuasions had done - they made it a pious warehouse of red brick, with sometimes (but this is only in highly ornamental examples) a bell in a birdcage on the top of it. The solitary exception was the New Church; a stuccoed edifice with a square steeple over the door, terminating in four short pinnacles like florid wooden legs. All the public inscriptions in the town were painted alike, in severe characters of black and white. The jail might have been the infirmary, the infirmary might have been the jail, the town-hall might have been either, or both, or anything else, for anything that appeared to the contrary in the graces of their construction. Fact, fact, fact, everywhere in the material aspect of the town; fact, fact, fact, everywhere in the immaterial. The M’Choakumchild school was all fact, and the school of design was all fact, and the relations between master and man were all fact, and everything was fact between the lying-in hospital and the cemetery, and what you couldn’t state in figures, or show to be purchaseable in the cheapest market and saleable in the dearest, was not, and never should be, world without end, Amen.

Português → A town so sacred to fact, and so triumphant in its assertion, of course got on well? Why no, not quite well. No? Dear me!

Português → No. Coketown did not come out of its own furnaces, in all respects like gold that had stood the fire. First, the perplexing mystery of the place was, Who belonged to the eighteen denominations? Because, whoever did, the labouring people did not. It was very strange to walk through the streets on a Sunday morning, and note how few of _them_ the barbarous jangling of bells that was driving the sick and nervous mad, called away from their own quarter, from their own close rooms, from the corners of their own streets, where they lounged listlessly, gazing at all the church and chapel going, as at a thing with which they had no manner of concern. Nor was it merely the stranger who noticed this, because there was a native organization in Coketown itself, whose members were to be heard of in the House of Commons every session, indignantly petitioning for acts of parliament that should make these people religious by main force. Then came the Teetotal Society, who complained that these same people _would_ get drunk, and showed in tabular statements that they did get drunk, and proved at tea parties that no inducement, human or Divine (except a medal), would induce them to forego their custom of getting drunk. Then came the chemist and druggist, with other tabular statements, showing that when they didn’t get drunk, they took opium. Then came the experienced chaplain of the jail, with more tabular statements, outdoing all the previous tabular statements, and showing that the same people _would_ resort to low haunts, hidden from the public eye, where they heard low singing and saw low dancing, and mayhap joined in it; and where A. B., aged twenty-four next birthday, and committed for eighteen months’ solitary, had himself said (not that he had ever shown himself particularly worthy of belief) his ruin began, as he was perfectly sure and confident that otherwise he would have been a tip-top moral specimen. Then came Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby, the two gentlemen at this present moment walking through Coketown, and both eminently practical, who could, on occasion, furnish more tabular statements derived from their own personal experience, and illustrated by cases they had known and seen, from which it clearly appeared - in short, it was the only clear thing in the case - that these same people were a bad lot altogether, gentlemen; that do what you would for them they were never thankful for it, gentlemen; that they were restless, gentlemen; that they never knew what they wanted; that they lived upon the best, and bought fresh butter; and insisted on Mocha coffee, and rejected all but prime parts of meat, and yet were eternally dissatisfied and unmanageable. In short, it was the moral of the old nursery fable:

Português → There was an old woman, and what do you think? She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink; Victuals and drink were the whole of her diet, And yet this old woman would NEVER be quiet.

Is it possible, I wonder, that there was any analogy between the case of the Coketown population and the case of the little Gradgrinds? Surely, none of us in our sober senses and acquainted with figures, are to be told at this time of day, that one of the foremost elements in the existence of the Coketown working-people had been for scores of years, deliberately set at nought? That there was any Fancy in them demanding to be brought into healthy existence instead of struggling on in convulsions? That exactly in the ratio as they worked long and monotonously, the craving grew within them for some physical relief - some relaxation, encouraging good humour and good spirits, and giving them a vent - some recognized holiday, though it were but for an honest dance to a stirring band of music - some occasional light pie in which even M’Choakumchild had no finger - which craving must and would be satisfied aright, or must and would inevitably go wrong, until the laws of the Creation were repealed?

‘This man lives at Pod’s End, and I don’t quite know Pod’s End,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Which is it, Bounderby?’

Português → Mr. Bounderby knew it was somewhere down town, but knew no more respecting it. So they stopped for a moment, looking about.

Almost as they did so, there came running round the corner of the street at a quick pace and with a frightened look, a girl whom Mr. Gradgrind recognized. ‘Halloa!’ said he. ‘Stop! Where are you going! Stop!’ Girl number twenty stopped then, palpitating, and made him a curtsey.

‘Why are you tearing about the streets,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, ‘in this improper manner?’

‘I was - I was run after, sir,’ the girl panted, ‘and I wanted to get away.’

‘Run after?’ repeated Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Who would run after _you_?’

The question was unexpectedly and suddenly answered for her, by the colourless boy, Bitzer, who came round the corner with such blind speed and so little anticipating a stoppage on the pavement, that he brought himself up against Mr. Gradgrind’s waistcoat and rebounded into the road.

‘What do you mean, boy?’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘What are you doing? How dare you dash against - everybody - in this manner?’ Bitzer picked up his cap, which the concussion had knocked off; and backing, and knuckling his forehead, pleaded that it was an accident.

Português → ‘Was this boy running after you, Jupe?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind.

‘Yes, sir,’ said the girl reluctantly.

‘No, I wasn’t, sir!’ cried Bitzer. ‘Not till she run away from me. But the horse-riders never mind what they say, sir; they’re famous for it. You know the horse-riders are famous for never minding what they say,’ addressing Sissy. ‘It’s as well known in the town as - please, sir, as the multiplication table isn’t known to the horse-riders.’ Bitzer tried Mr. Bounderby with this.

‘He frightened me so,’ said the girl, ‘with his cruel faces!’

‘Oh!’ cried Bitzer. ‘Oh! An’t you one of the rest! An’t you a horse-rider! I never looked at her, sir. I asked her if she would know how to define a horse to-morrow, and offered to tell her again, and she ran away, and I ran after her, sir, that she might know how to answer when she was asked. You wouldn’t have thought of saying such mischief if you hadn’t been a horse-rider?’

Português → ‘Her calling seems to be pretty well known among ’em,’ observed Mr. Bounderby. ‘You’d have had the whole school peeping in a row, in a week.’

‘Truly, I think so,’ returned his friend. ‘Bitzer, turn you about and take yourself home. Jupe, stay here a moment. Let me hear of your running in this manner any more, boy, and you will hear of me through the master of the school. You understand what I mean. Go along.’

The boy stopped in his rapid blinking, knuckled his forehead again, glanced at Sissy, turned about, and retreated.

‘Now, girl,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, ‘take this gentleman and me to your father’s; we are going there. What have you got in that bottle you are carrying?’

‘Gin,’ said Mr. Bounderby.

‘Dear, no, sir! It’s the nine oils.’

‘The what?’ cried Mr. Bounderby.

‘The nine oils, sir, to rub father with.’

‘Then,’ said Mr. Bounderby, with a loud short laugh, ‘what the devil do you rub your father with nine oils for?’

Português → ‘It’s what our people aways use, sir, when they get any hurts in the ring,’ replied the girl, looking over her shoulder, to assure herself that her pursuer was gone. ‘They bruise themselves very bad sometimes.’

‘Serve ’em right,’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘for being idle.’ She glanced up at his face, with mingled astonishment and dread.

‘By George!’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘when I was four or five years younger than you, I had worse bruises upon me than ten oils, twenty oils, forty oils, would have rubbed off. I didn’t get ’em by posture-making, but by being banged about. There was no rope-dancing for me; I danced on the bare ground and was larruped with the rope.’

Mr. Gradgrind, though hard enough, was by no means so rough a man as Mr. Bounderby. His character was not unkind, all things considered; it might have been a very kind one indeed, if he had only made some round mistake in the arithmetic that balanced it, years ago. He said, in what he meant for a reassuring tone, as they turned down a narrow road, ‘And this is Pod’s End; is it, Jupe?’

Português → ‘This is it, sir, and - if you wouldn’t mind, sir - this is the house.’

She stopped, at twilight, at the door of a mean little public-house, with dim red lights in it. As haggard and as shabby, as if, for want of custom, it had itself taken to drinking, and had gone the way all drunkards go, and was very near the end of it.

‘It’s only crossing the bar, sir, and up the stairs, if you wouldn’t mind, and waiting there for a moment till I get a candle. If you should hear a dog, sir, it’s only Merrylegs, and he only barks.’

‘Merrylegs and nine oils, eh!’ said Mr. Bounderby, entering last with his metallic laugh. ‘Pretty well this, for a self-made man!’

CHAPTER VI Sleary’s Horsemanship

Português → THE name of the public-house was the Pegasus’s Arms. The Pegasus’s legs might have been more to the purpose; but, underneath the winged horse upon the sign-board, the Pegasus’s Arms was inscribed in Roman letters. Beneath that inscription again, in a flowing scroll, the painter had touched off the lines:

Good malt makes good beer, Walk in, and they’ll draw it here; Good wine makes good brandy, Give us a call, and you’ll find it handy.

Framed and glazed upon the wall behind the dingy little bar, was another Pegasus - a theatrical one - with real gauze let in for his wings, golden stars stuck on all over him, and his ethereal harness made of red silk.

As it had grown too dusky without, to see the sign, and as it had not grown light enough within to see the picture, Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby received no offence from these idealities. They followed the girl up some steep corner-stairs without meeting any one, and stopped in the dark while she went on for a candle. They expected every moment to hear Merrylegs give tongue, but the highly trained performing dog had not barked when the girl and the candle appeared together.

Português → ‘Father is not in our room, sir,’ she said, with a face of great surprise. ‘If you wouldn’t mind walking in, I’ll find him directly.’ They walked in; and Sissy, having set two chairs for them, sped away with a quick light step. It was a mean, shabbily furnished room, with a bed in it. The white night-cap, embellished with two peacock’s feathers and a pigtail bolt upright, in which Signor Jupe had that very afternoon enlivened the varied performances with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts, hung upon a nail; but no other portion of his wardrobe, or other token of himself or his pursuits, was to be seen anywhere. As to Merrylegs, that respectable ancestor of the highly trained animal who went aboard the ark, might have been accidentally shut out of it, for any sign of a dog that was manifest to eye or ear in the Pegasus’s Arms.

They heard the doors of rooms above, opening and shutting as Sissy went from one to another in quest of her father; and presently they heard voices expressing surprise. She came bounding down again in a great hurry, opened a battered and mangy old hair trunk, found it empty, and looked round with her hands clasped and her face full of terror.

‘Father must have gone down to the Booth, sir. I don’t know why he should go there, but he must be there; I’ll bring him in a minute!’ She was gone directly, without her bonnet; with her long, dark, childish hair streaming behind her.

‘What does she mean!’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Back in a minute? It’s more than a mile off.’

Português → Before Mr. Bounderby could reply, a young man appeared at the door, and introducing himself with the words, ‘By your leaves, gentlemen!’ walked in with his hands in his pockets. His face, close-shaven, thin, and sallow, was shaded by a great quantity of dark hair, brushed into a roll all round his head, and parted up the centre. His legs were very robust, but shorter than legs of good proportions should have been. His chest and back were as much too broad, as his legs were too short. He was dressed in a Newmarket coat and tight-fitting trousers; wore a shawl round his neck; smelt of lamp-oil, straw, orange-peel, horses’ provender, and sawdust; and looked a most remarkable sort of Centaur, compounded of the stable and the play-house. Where the one began, and the other ended, nobody could have told with any precision. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy.

‘By your leaves, gentlemen,’ said Mr. E. W. B. Childers, glancing round the room. ‘It was you, I believe, that were wishing to see Jupe!’

‘It was,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘His daughter has gone to fetch him, but I can’t wait; therefore, if you please, I will leave a message for him with you.’

‘You see, my friend,’ Mr. Bounderby put in, ‘we are the kind of people who know the value of time, and you are the kind of people who don’t know the value of time.’

Português → ‘I have not,’ retorted Mr. Childers, after surveying him from head to foot, ‘the honour of knowing _you_, - but if you mean that you can make more money of your time than I can of mine, I should judge from your appearance, that you are about right.’

‘And when you have made it, you can keep it too, I should think,’ said Cupid.

‘Kidderminster, stow that!’ said Mr. Childers. (Master Kidderminster was Cupid’s mortal name.)

‘What does he come here cheeking us for, then?’ cried Master Kidderminster, showing a very irascible temperament. ‘If you want to cheek us, pay your ochre at the doors and take it out.’

‘Kidderminster,’ said Mr. Childers, raising his voice, ‘stow that! - Sir,’ to Mr. Gradgrind, ‘I was addressing myself to you. You may or you may not be aware (for perhaps you have not been much in the audience), that Jupe has missed his tip very often, lately.’

‘Has - what has he missed?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, glancing at the potent Bounderby for assistance.

‘Missed his tip.’

‘Offered at the Garters four times last night, and never done ’em once,’ said Master Kidderminster. ‘Missed his tip at the banners, too, and was loose in his ponging.’

Português → ‘Didn’t do what he ought to do. Was short in his leaps and bad in his tumbling,’ Mr. Childers interpreted.

‘Oh!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, ‘that is tip, is it?’

‘In a general way that’s missing his tip,’ Mr. E. W. B. Childers answered.

‘Nine oils, Merrylegs, missing tips, garters, banners, and Ponging, eh!’ ejaculated Bounderby, with his laugh of laughs. ‘Queer sort of company, too, for a man who has raised himself!’

‘Lower yourself, then,’ retorted Cupid. ‘Oh Lord! if you’ve raised yourself so high as all that comes to, let yourself down a bit.’

‘This is a very obtrusive lad!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, turning, and knitting his brows on him.

‘We’d have had a young gentleman to meet you, if we had known you were coming,’ retorted Master Kidderminster, nothing abashed. ‘It’s a pity you don’t have a bespeak, being so particular. You’re on the Tight-Jeff, ain’t you?’

‘What does this unmannerly boy mean,’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, eyeing him in a sort of desperation, ‘by Tight-Jeff?’

Português → ‘There! Get out, get out!’ said Mr. Childers, thrusting his young friend from the room, rather in the prairie manner. ‘Tight-Jeff or Slack-Jeff, it don’t much signify: it’s only tight-rope and slack-rope. You were going to give me a message for Jupe?’

‘Yes, I was.’

‘Then,’ continued Mr. Childers, quickly, ‘my opinion is, he will never receive it. Do you know much of him?’

‘I never saw the man in my life.’

‘I doubt if you ever _will_ see him now. It’s pretty plain to me, he’s off.’

‘Do you mean that he has deserted his daughter?’

‘Ay! I mean,’ said Mr. Childers, with a nod, ‘that he has cut. He was goosed last night, he was goosed the night before last, he was goosed to-day. He has lately got in the way of being always goosed, and he can’t stand it.’

‘Why has he been - so very much - Goosed?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, forcing the word out of himself, with great solemnity and reluctance.

‘His joints are turning stiff, and he is getting used up,’ said Childers. ‘He has his points as a Cackler still, but he can’t get a living out of _them_.’

Português → ‘A Cackler!’ Bounderby repeated. ‘Here we go again!’

‘A speaker, if the gentleman likes it better,’ said Mr. E. W. B. Childers, superciliously throwing the interpretation over his shoulder, and accompanying it with a shake of his long hair - which all shook at once. ‘Now, it’s a remarkable fact, sir, that it cut that man deeper, to know that his daughter knew of his being goosed, than to go through with it.’

‘Good!’ interrupted Mr. Bounderby. ‘This is good, Gradgrind! A man so fond of his daughter, that he runs away from her! This is devilish good! Ha! ha! Now, I’ll tell you what, young man. I haven’t always occupied my present station of life. I know what these things are. You may be astonished to hear it, but my mother - ran away from _me_.’

E. W. B. Childers replied pointedly, that he was not at all astonished to hear it.

‘Very well,’ said Bounderby. ‘I was born in a ditch, and my mother ran away from me. Do I excuse her for it? No. Have I ever excused her for it? Not I. What do I call her for it? I call her probably the very worst woman that ever lived in the world, except my drunken grandmother. There’s no family pride about me, there’s no imaginative sentimental humbug about me. I call a spade a spade; and I call the mother of Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, without any fear or any favour, what I should call her if she had been the mother of Dick Jones of Wapping. So, with this man. He is a runaway rogue and a vagabond, that’s what he is, in English.’

Português → ‘It’s all the same to me what he is or what he is not, whether in English or whether in French,’ retorted Mr. E. W. B. Childers, facing about. ‘I am telling your friend what’s the fact; if you don’t like to hear it, you can avail yourself of the open air. You give it mouth enough, you do; but give it mouth in your own building at least,’ remonstrated E. W. B. with stern irony. ‘Don’t give it mouth in this building, till you’re called upon. You have got some building of your own I dare say, now?’

‘Perhaps so,’ replied Mr. Bounderby, rattling his money and laughing.

‘Then give it mouth in your own building, will you, if you please?’ said Childers. ‘Because this isn’t a strong building, and too much of you might bring it down!’

Eyeing Mr. Bounderby from head to foot again, he turned from him, as from a man finally disposed of, to Mr. Gradgrind.

‘Jupe sent his daughter out on an errand not an hour ago, and then was seen to slip out himself, with his hat over his eyes, and a bundle tied up in a handkerchief under his arm. She will never believe it of him, but he has cut away and left her.’

‘Pray,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, ‘why will she never believe it of him?’

Português → ‘Because those two were one. Because they were never asunder. Because, up to this time, he seemed to dote upon her,’ said Childers, taking a step or two to look into the empty trunk. Both Mr. Childers and Master Kidderminster walked in a curious manner; with their legs wider apart than the general run of men, and with a very knowing assumption of being stiff in the knees. This walk was common to all the male members of Sleary’s company, and was understood to express, that they were always on horseback.

‘Poor Sissy! He had better have apprenticed her,’ said Childers, giving his hair another shake, as he looked up from the empty box. ‘Now, he leaves her without anything to take to.’

‘It is creditable to you, who have never been apprenticed, to express that opinion,’ returned Mr. Gradgrind, approvingly.

‘_I_ never apprenticed? I was apprenticed when I was seven year old.’

‘Oh! Indeed?’ said Mr. Gradgrind, rather resentfully, as having been defrauded of his good opinion. ‘I was not aware of its being the custom to apprentice young persons to - ’

‘Idleness,’ Mr. Bounderby put in with a loud laugh. ‘No, by the Lord Harry! Nor I!’

Português → ‘Her father always had it in his head,’ resumed Childers, feigning unconsciousness of Mr. Bounderby’s existence, ‘that she was to be taught the deuce-and-all of education. How it got into his head, I can’t say; I can only say that it never got out. He has been picking up a bit of reading for her, here - and a bit of writing for her, there - and a bit of ciphering for her, somewhere else - these seven years.’

Mr. E. W. B. Childers took one of his hands out of his pockets, stroked his face and chin, and looked, with a good deal of doubt and a little hope, at Mr. Gradgrind. From the first he had sought to conciliate that gentleman, for the sake of the deserted girl.

‘When Sissy got into the school here,’ he pursued, ‘her father was as pleased as Punch. I couldn’t altogether make out why, myself, as we were not stationary here, being but comers and goers anywhere. I suppose, however, he had this move in his mind - he was always half-cracked - and then considered her provided for. If you should happen to have looked in to-night, for the purpose of telling him that you were going to do her any little service,’ said Mr. Childers, stroking his face again, and repeating his look, ‘it would be very fortunate and well-timed; very fortunate and well-timed.’

‘On the contrary,’ returned Mr. Gradgrind. ‘I came to tell him that her connections made her not an object for the school, and that she must not attend any more. Still, if her father really has left her, without any connivance on her part - Bounderby, let me have a word with you.’

Português → Upon this, Mr. Childers politely betook himself, with his equestrian walk, to the landing outside the door, and there stood stroking his face, and softly whistling. While thus engaged, he overheard such phrases in Mr. Bounderby’s voice as ‘No. _I_ say no. I advise you not. I say by no means.’ While, from Mr. Gradgrind, he heard in his much lower tone the words, ‘But even as an example to Louisa, of what this pursuit which has been the subject of a vulgar curiosity, leads to and ends in. Think of it, Bounderby, in that point of view.’

Meanwhile, the various members of Sleary’s company gradually gathered together from the upper regions, where they were quartered, and, from standing about, talking in low voices to one another and to Mr. Childers, gradually insinuated themselves and him into the room. There were two or three handsome young women among them, with their two or three husbands, and their two or three mothers, and their eight or nine little children, who did the fairy business when required. The father of one of the families was in the habit of balancing the father of another of the families on the top of a great pole; the father of a third family often made a pyramid of both those fathers, with Master Kidderminster for the apex, and himself for the base; all the fathers could dance upon rolling casks, stand upon bottles, catch knives and balls, twirl hand-basins, ride upon anything, jump over everything, and stick at nothing. All the mothers could (and did) dance, upon the slack wire and the tight-rope, and perform rapid acts on bare-backed steeds; none of them were at all particular in respect of showing their legs; and one of them, alone in a Greek chariot, drove six in hand into every town they came to. They all assumed to be mighty rakish and knowing, they were not very tidy in their private dresses, they were not at all orderly in their domestic arrangements, and the combined literature of the whole company would have produced but a poor letter on any subject. Yet there was a remarkable gentleness and childishness about these people, a special inaptitude for any kind of sharp practice, and an untiring readiness to help and pity one another, deserving often of as much respect, and always of as much generous construction, as the every-day virtues of any class of people in the world.

Last of all appeared Mr. Sleary: a stout man as already mentioned, with one fixed eye, and one loose eye, a voice (if it can be called so) like the efforts of a broken old pair of bellows, a flabby surface, and a muddled head which was never sober and never drunk.

Português → ‘Thquire!’ said Mr. Sleary, who was troubled with asthma, and whose breath came far too thick and heavy for the letter s, ‘Your thervant! Thith ith a bad piethe of bithnith, thith ith. You’ve heard of my Clown and hith dog being thuppothed to have morrithed?’

He addressed Mr. Gradgrind, who answered ‘Yes.’

‘Well, Thquire,’ he returned, taking off his hat, and rubbing the lining with his pocket-handkerchief, which he kept inside for the purpose. ‘Ith it your intenthion to do anything for the poor girl, Thquire?’

‘I shall have something to propose to her when she comes back,’ said Mr. Gradgrind.

‘Glad to hear it, Thquire. Not that I want to get rid of the child, any more than I want to thtand in her way. I’m willing to take her prentith, though at her age ith late. My voithe ith a little huthky, Thquire, and not eathy heard by them ath don’t know me; but if you’d been chilled and heated, heated and chilled, chilled and heated in the ring when you wath young, ath often ath I have been, _your_ voithe wouldn’t have lathted out, Thquire, no more than mine.’

‘I dare say not,’ said Mr. Gradgrind.

Português → ‘What thall it be, Thquire, while you wait? Thall it be Therry? Give it a name, Thquire!’ said Mr. Sleary, with hospitable ease.

‘Nothing for me, I thank you,’ said Mr. Gradgrind.

‘Don’t thay nothing, Thquire. What doth your friend thay? If you haven’t took your feed yet, have a glath of bitterth.’

Here his daughter Josephine - a pretty fair-haired girl of eighteen, who had been tied on a horse at two years old, and had made a will at twelve, which she always carried about with her, expressive of her dying desire to be drawn to the grave by the two piebald ponies - cried, ‘Father, hush! she has come back!’ Then came Sissy Jupe, running into the room as she had run out of it. And when she saw them all assembled, and saw their looks, and saw no father there, she broke into a most deplorable cry, and took refuge on the bosom of the most accomplished tight-rope lady (herself in the family-way), who knelt down on the floor to nurse her, and to weep over her.

‘Ith an internal thame, upon my thoul it ith,’ said Sleary.

Português → ‘O my dear father, my good kind father, where are you gone? You are gone to try to do me some good, I know! You are gone away for my sake, I am sure! And how miserable and helpless you will be without me, poor, poor father, until you come back!’ It was so pathetic to hear her saying many things of this kind, with her face turned upward, and her arms stretched out as if she were trying to stop his departing shadow and embrace it, that no one spoke a word until Mr. Bounderby (growing impatient) took the case in hand.

‘Now, good people all,’ said he, ‘this is wanton waste of time. Let the girl understand the fact. Let her take it from me, if you like, who have been run away from, myself. Here, what’s your name! Your father has absconded - deserted you - and you mustn’t expect to see him again as long as you live.’

They cared so little for plain Fact, these people, and were in that advanced state of degeneracy on the subject, that instead of being impressed by the speaker’s strong common sense, they took it in extraordinary dudgeon. The men muttered ‘Shame!’ and the women ‘Brute!’ and Sleary, in some haste, communicated the following hint, apart to Mr. Bounderby.

Português → ‘I tell you what, Thquire. To thpeak plain to you, my opinion ith that you had better cut it thort, and drop it. They’re a very good natur’d people, my people, but they’re accuthtomed to be quick in their movementh; and if you don’t act upon my advithe, I’m damned if I don’t believe they’ll pith you out o’ winder.’

Mr. Bounderby being restrained by this mild suggestion, Mr. Gradgrind found an opening for his eminently practical exposition of the subject.

‘It is of no moment,’ said he, ‘whether this person is to be expected back at any time, or the contrary. He is gone away, and there is no present expectation of his return. That, I believe, is agreed on all hands.’

‘Thath agreed, Thquire. Thick to that!’ From Sleary.

‘Well then. I, who came here to inform the father of the poor girl, Jupe, that she could not be received at the school any more, in consequence of there being practical objections, into which I need not enter, to the reception there of the children of persons so employed, am prepared in these altered circumstances to make a proposal. I am willing to take charge of you, Jupe, and to educate you, and provide for you. The only condition (over and above your good behaviour) I make is, that you decide now, at once, whether to accompany me or remain here. Also, that if you accompany me now, it is understood that you communicate no more with any of your friends who are here present. These observations comprise the whole of the case.’

Português → ‘At the thame time,’ said Sleary, ‘I mutht put in my word, Thquire, tho that both thides of the banner may be equally theen. If you like, Thethilia, to be prentitht, you know the natur of the work and you know your companionth. Emma Gordon, in whothe lap you’re a lying at prethent, would be a mother to you, and Joth’phine would be a thithter to you. I don’t pretend to be of the angel breed myself, and I don’t thay but what, when you mith’d your tip, you’d find me cut up rough, and thwear an oath or two at you. But what I thay, Thquire, ith, that good tempered or bad tempered, I never did a horthe a injury yet, no more than thwearing at him went, and that I don’t expect I thall begin otherwithe at my time of life, with a rider. I never wath much of a Cackler, Thquire, and I have thed my thay.’

The latter part of this speech was addressed to Mr. Gradgrind, who received it with a grave inclination of his head, and then remarked:

‘The only observation I will make to you, Jupe, in the way of influencing your decision, is, that it is highly desirable to have a sound practical education, and that even your father himself (from what I understand) appears, on your behalf, to have known and felt that much.’

The last words had a visible effect upon her. She stopped in her wild crying, a little detached herself from Emma Gordon, and turned her face full upon her patron. The whole company perceived the force of the change, and drew a long breath together, that plainly said, ‘she will go!’

Português → ‘Be sure you know your own mind, Jupe,’ Mr. Gradgrind cautioned her; ‘I say no more. Be sure you know your own mind!’

‘When father comes back,’ cried the girl, bursting into tears again after a minute’s silence, ‘how will he ever find me if I go away!’

‘You may be quite at ease,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, calmly; he worked out the whole matter like a sum: ‘you may be quite at ease, Jupe, on that score. In such a case, your father, I apprehend, must find out Mr. - ’

‘Thleary. Thath my name, Thquire. Not athamed of it. Known all over England, and alwayth paythe ith way.’

‘Must find out Mr. Sleary, who would then let him know where you went. I should have no power of keeping you against his wish, and he would have no difficulty, at any time, in finding Mr. Thomas Gradgrind of Coketown. I am well known.’

‘Well known,’ assented Mr. Sleary, rolling his loose eye. ‘You’re one of the thort, Thquire, that keepth a prethiouth thight of money out of the houthe. But never mind that at prethent.’

Português → There was another silence; and then she exclaimed, sobbing with her hands before her face, ‘Oh, give me my clothes, give me my clothes, and let me go away before I break my heart!’

The women sadly bestirred themselves to get the clothes together - it was soon done, for they were not many - and to pack them in a basket which had often travelled with them. Sissy sat all the time upon the ground, still sobbing, and covering her eyes. Mr. Gradgrind and his friend Bounderby stood near the door, ready to take her away. Mr. Sleary stood in the middle of the room, with the male members of the company about him, exactly as he would have stood in the centre of the ring during his daughter Josephine’s performance. He wanted nothing but his whip.

The basket packed in silence, they brought her bonnet to her, and smoothed her disordered hair, and put it on. Then they pressed about her, and bent over her in very natural attitudes, kissing and embracing her: and brought the children to take leave of her; and were a tender-hearted, simple, foolish set of women altogether.

‘Now, Jupe,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘If you are quite determined, come!’

Português → But she had to take her farewell of the male part of the company yet, and every one of them had to unfold his arms (for they all assumed the professional attitude when they found themselves near Sleary), and give her a parting kiss - Master Kidderminster excepted, in whose young nature there was an original flavour of the misanthrope, who was also known to have harboured matrimonial views, and who moodily withdrew. Mr. Sleary was reserved until the last. Opening his arms wide he took her by both her hands, and would have sprung her up and down, after the riding-master manner of congratulating young ladies on their dismounting from a rapid act; but there was no rebound in Sissy, and she only stood before him crying.

‘Good-bye, my dear!’ said Sleary. ‘You’ll make your fortun, I hope, and none of our poor folkth will ever trouble you, I’ll pound it. I with your father hadn’t taken hith dog with him; ith a ill-conwenienth to have the dog out of the billth. But on thecond thoughth, he wouldn’t have performed without hith mathter, tho ith ath broad ath ith long!’

With that he regarded her attentively with his fixed eye, surveyed his company with his loose one, kissed her, shook his head, and handed her to Mr. Gradgrind as to a horse.

Português → ‘There the ith, Thquire,’ he said, sweeping her with a professional glance as if she were being adjusted in her seat, ‘and the’ll do you juthtithe. Good-bye, Thethilia!’

‘Good-bye, Cecilia!’ ‘Good-bye, Sissy!’ ‘God bless you, dear!’ In a variety of voices from all the room.

But the riding-master eye had observed the bottle of the nine oils in her bosom, and he now interposed with ‘Leave the bottle, my dear; ith large to carry; it will be of no uthe to you now. Give it to me!’

‘No, no!’ she said, in another burst of tears. ‘Oh, no! Pray let me keep it for father till he comes back! He will want it when he comes back. He had never thought of going away, when he sent me for it. I must keep it for him, if you please!’

‘Tho be it, my dear. (You thee how it ith, Thquire!) Farewell, Thethilia! My latht wordth to you ith thith, Thtick to the termth of your engagement, be obedient to the Thquire, and forget uth. But if, when you’re grown up and married and well off, you come upon any horthe-riding ever, don’t be hard upon it, don’t be croth with it, give it a Bethpeak if you can, and think you might do wurth. People mutht be amuthed, Thquire, thomehow,’ continued Sleary, rendered more pursy than ever, by so much talking; ‘they can’t be alwayth a working, nor yet they can’t be alwayth a learning. Make the betht of uth; not the wurtht. I’ve got my living out of the horthe-riding all my life, I know; but I conthider that I lay down the philothophy of the thubject when I thay to you, Thquire, make the betht of uth: not the wurtht!’

The Sleary philosophy was propounded as they went downstairs and the fixed eye of Philosophy - and its rolling eye, too - soon lost the three figures and the basket in the darkness of the street.

CHAPTER VII Mrs. Sparsit

Português → MR. BOUNDERBY being a bachelor, an elderly lady presided over his establishment, in consideration of a certain annual stipend. Mrs. Sparsit was this lady’s name; and she was a prominent figure in attendance on Mr. Bounderby’s car, as it rolled along in triumph with the Bully of humility inside.

For, Mrs. Sparsit had not only seen different days, but was highly connected. She had a great aunt living in these very times called Lady Scadgers. Mr. Sparsit, deceased, of whom she was the relict, had been by the mother’s side what Mrs. Sparsit still called ‘a Powler.’ Strangers of limited information and dull apprehension were sometimes observed not to know what a Powler was, and even to appear uncertain whether it might be a business, or a political party, or a profession of faith. The better class of minds, however, did not need to be informed that the Powlers were an ancient stock, who could trace themselves so exceedingly far back that it was not surprising if they sometimes lost themselves - which they had rather frequently done, as respected horse-flesh, blind-hookey, Hebrew monetary transactions, and the Insolvent Debtors’ Court.

The late Mr. Sparsit, being by the mother’s side a Powler, married this lady, being by the father’s side a Scadgers. Lady Scadgers (an immensely fat old woman, with an inordinate appetite for butcher’s meat, and a mysterious leg which had now refused to get out of bed for fourteen years) contrived the marriage, at a period when Sparsit was just of age, and chiefly noticeable for a slender body, weakly supported on two long slim props, and surmounted by no head worth mentioning. He inherited a fair fortune from his uncle, but owed it all before he came into it, and spent it twice over immediately afterwards. Thus, when he died, at twenty-four (the scene of his decease, Calais, and the cause, brandy), he did not leave his widow, from whom he had been separated soon after the honeymoon, in affluent circumstances. That bereaved lady, fifteen years older than he, fell presently at deadly feud with her only relative, Lady Scadgers; and, partly to spite her ladyship, and partly to maintain herself, went out at a salary. And here she was now, in her elderly days, with the Coriolanian style of nose and the dense black eyebrows which had captivated Sparsit, making Mr. Bounderby’s tea as he took his breakfast.

If Bounderby had been a Conqueror, and Mrs. Sparsit a captive Princess whom he took about as a feature in his state-processions, he could not have made a greater flourish with her than he habitually did. Just as it belonged to his boastfulness to depreciate his own extraction, so it belonged to it to exalt Mrs. Sparsit’s. In the measure that he would not allow his own youth to have been attended by a single favourable circumstance, he brightened Mrs. Sparsit’s juvenile career with every possible advantage, and showered waggon-loads of early roses all over that lady’s path. ‘And yet, sir,’ he would say, ‘how does it turn out after all? Why here she is at a hundred a year (I give her a hundred, which she is pleased to term handsome), keeping the house of Josiah Bounderby of Coketown!’

Português → Nay, he made this foil of his so very widely known, that third parties took it up, and handled it on some occasions with considerable briskness. It was one of the most exasperating attributes of Bounderby, that he not only sang his own praises but stimulated other men to sing them. There was a moral infection of clap-trap in him. Strangers, modest enough elsewhere, started up at dinners in Coketown, and boasted, in quite a rampant way, of Bounderby. They made him out to be the Royal arms, the Union-Jack, Magna Charta, John Bull, Habeas Corpus, the Bill of Rights, An Englishman’s house is his castle, Church and State, and God save the Queen, all put together. And as often (and it was very often) as an orator of this kind brought into his peroration,

‘Princes and lords may flourish or may fade, A breath can make them, as a breath has made,’

- it was, for certain, more or less understood among the company that he had heard of Mrs. Sparsit.

‘Mr. Bounderby,’ said Mrs. Sparsit, ‘you are unusually slow, sir, with your breakfast this morning.’

‘Why, ma’am,’ he returned, ‘I am thinking about Tom Gradgrind’s whim;’ Tom Gradgrind, for a bluff independent manner of speaking - as if somebody were always endeavouring to bribe him with immense sums to say Thomas, and he wouldn’t; ‘Tom Gradgrind’s whim, ma’am, of bringing up the tumbling-girl.’

‘The girl is now waiting to know,’ said Mrs. Sparsit, ‘whether she is to go straight to the school, or up to the Lodge.’

‘She must wait, ma’am,’ answered Bounderby, ‘till I know myself. We shall have Tom Gradgrind down here presently, I suppose. If he should wish her to remain here a day or two longer, of course she can, ma’am.’

Português → ‘Of course she can if you wish it, Mr. Bounderby.’

‘I told him I would give her a shake-down here, last night, in order that he might sleep on it before he decided to let her have any association with Louisa.’

‘Indeed, Mr. Bounderby? Very thoughtful of you!’ Mrs. Sparsit’s Coriolanian nose underwent a slight expansion of the nostrils, and her black eyebrows contracted as she took a sip of tea.

‘It’s tolerably clear to _me_,’ said Bounderby, ‘that the little puss can get small good out of such companionship.’

‘Are you speaking of young Miss Gradgrind, Mr. Bounderby?’

‘Yes, ma’am, I’m speaking of Louisa.’

‘Your observation being limited to “little puss,”’ said Mrs. Sparsit, ‘and there being two little girls in question, I did not know which might be indicated by that expression.’

‘Louisa,’ repeated Mr. Bounderby. ‘Louisa, Louisa.’

‘You are quite another father to Louisa, sir.’ Mrs. Sparsit took a little more tea; and, as she bent her again contracted eyebrows over her steaming cup, rather looked as if her classical countenance were invoking the infernal gods.

‘If you had said I was another father to Tom - young Tom, I mean, not my friend Tom Gradgrind - you might have been nearer the mark. I am going to take young Tom into my office. Going to have him under my wing, ma’am.’

Português → ‘Indeed? Rather young for that, is he not, sir?’ Mrs. Sparsit’s ‘sir,’ in addressing Mr. Bounderby, was a word of ceremony, rather exacting consideration for herself in the use, than honouring him.

‘I’m not going to take him at once; he is to finish his educational cramming before then,’ said Bounderby. ‘By the Lord Harry, he’ll have enough of it, first and last! He’d open his eyes, that boy would, if he knew how empty of learning _my_ young maw was, at his time of life.’ Which, by the by, he probably did know, for he had heard of it often enough. ‘But it’s extraordinary the difficulty I have on scores of such subjects, in speaking to any one on equal terms. Here, for example, I have been speaking to you this morning about tumblers. Why, what do _you_ know about tumblers? At the time when, to have been a tumbler in the mud of the streets, would have been a godsend to me, a prize in the lottery to me, you were at the Italian Opera. You were coming out of the Italian Opera, ma’am, in white satin and jewels, a blaze of splendour, when I hadn’t a penny to buy a link to light you.’

‘I certainly, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with a dignity serenely mournful, ‘was familiar with the Italian Opera at a very early age.’

‘Egad, ma’am, so was I,’ said Bounderby, ‘ - with the wrong side of it. A hard bed the pavement of its Arcade used to make, I assure you. People like you, ma’am, accustomed from infancy to lie on Down feathers, have no idea _how_ hard a paving-stone is, without trying it. No, no, it’s of no use my talking to _you_ about tumblers. I should speak of foreign dancers, and the West End of London, and May Fair, and lords and ladies and honourables.’

‘I trust, sir,’ rejoined Mrs. Sparsit, with decent resignation, ‘it is not necessary that you should do anything of that kind. I hope I have learnt how to accommodate myself to the changes of life. If I have acquired an interest in hearing of your instructive experiences, and can scarcely hear enough of them, I claim no merit for that, since I believe it is a general sentiment.’

Português → ‘Well, ma’am,’ said her patron, ‘perhaps some people may be pleased to say that they do like to hear, in his own unpolished way, what Josiah Bounderby, of Coketown, has gone through. But you must confess that you were born in the lap of luxury, yourself. Come, ma’am, you know you were born in the lap of luxury.’

‘I do not, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit with a shake of her head, ‘deny it.’

Mr. Bounderby was obliged to get up from table, and stand with his back to the fire, looking at her; she was such an enhancement of his position.

‘And you were in crack society. Devilish high society,’ he said, warming his legs.

‘It is true, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with an affectation of humility the very opposite of his, and therefore in no danger of jostling it.

‘You were in the tiptop fashion, and all the rest of it,’ said Mr. Bounderby.

‘Yes, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with a kind of social widowhood upon her. ‘It is unquestionably true.’

Mr. Bounderby, bending himself at the knees, literally embraced his legs in his great satisfaction and laughed aloud. Mr. and Miss Gradgrind being then announced, he received the former with a shake of the hand, and the latter with a kiss.

Português → ‘Can Jupe be sent here, Bounderby?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind.

Certainly. So Jupe was sent there. On coming in, she curtseyed to Mr. Bounderby, and to his friend Tom Gradgrind, and also to Louisa; but in her confusion unluckily omitted Mrs. Sparsit. Observing this, the blustrous Bounderby had the following remarks to make:

‘Now, I tell you what, my girl. The name of that lady by the teapot, is Mrs. Sparsit. That lady acts as mistress of this house, and she is a highly connected lady. Consequently, if ever you come again into any room in this house, you will make a short stay in it if you don’t behave towards that lady in your most respectful manner. Now, I don’t care a button what you do to _me_, because I don’t affect to be anybody. So far from having high connections I have no connections at all, and I come of the scum of the earth. But towards that lady, I do care what you do; and you shall do what is deferential and respectful, or you shall not come here.’

‘I hope, Bounderby,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, in a conciliatory voice, ‘that this was merely an oversight.’

‘My friend Tom Gradgrind suggests, Mrs. Sparsit,’ said Bounderby, ‘that this was merely an oversight. Very likely. However, as you are aware, ma’am, I don’t allow of even oversights towards you.’

‘You are very good indeed, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, shaking her head with her State humility. ‘It is not worth speaking of.’

Sissy, who all this time had been faintly excusing herself with tears in her eyes, was now waved over by the master of the house to Mr. Gradgrind. She stood looking intently at him, and Louisa stood coldly by, with her eyes upon the ground, while he proceeded thus:

Versão em Português B1

Páginas Iniciais

3. CAPÍTULO I A Única Coisa Necessária

4. CAPÍTULO II Matando os Inocentes

5. CAPÍTULO III Uma Brecha

6. CAPÍTULO IV O Sr. Bounderby

7. CAPÍTULO V A Nota Fundamental

8. CAPÍTULO VI A Arte Equestre de Sleary

9. CAPÍTULO VII Sra. Sparsit

Contents

Páginas Iniciais

English → por Charles Dickens

TEMPOS DIFÍCEIS E TEXTOS REEDITADOS {0}

English → * * * * *

English → Por CHARLES DICKENS

English → * * * * *

English → _Com ilustrações de Marcus Stone, Maurice Greiffenhagen e F. Walker_

English → * * * * *

English → LONDRES: CHAPMAN & HALL, LTD. NOVA YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

English → 1905

English → SUMÁRIO

_LIVRO PRIMEIRO: SEMEADURA_ - Capítulos I - XVI. _LIVRO SEGUNDO: COLHEITA_ - Capítulos I - XII. _LIVRO TERCEIRO: ARMAZENAMENTO_ - Capítulos I - IX.

LISTA DE ILUSTRAÇÕES

_Stephen e Rachael no quarto do doente_; _O Sr. Harthouse jantando na casa dos Bounderby_; _O Sr. Harthouse e Tom Gradgrind no jardim_; _Stephen Blackpool retirado do velho poço Hell_

CAPÍTULO I A Única Coisa Necessária

English → “O que eu quero são Fatos. Ensine a esses meninos e meninas apenas Fatos. Somente os Fatos são úteis na vida. É assim que educo meus filhos e estes alunos. Atenha-se aos Fatos, senhor!”

A sala de aula era simples, vazia e monótona. O homem enfatizava cada frase com o dedo quadrado. A testa larga, a boca dura, a voz seca e autoritária e o cabelo espetado faziam-no parecer severo. O casaco, as pernas e os ombros quadrados, além da gravata apertada, também pareciam expressar sua crença obstinada em fatos concretos.

“Nesta vida, não queremos nada além de Fatos, senhor - nada além de Fatos!”

O homem, o professor e outro adulto recuaram. Olharam para as fileiras de crianças como se os alunos fossem pequenos recipientes esperando ser cheios de fatos até a borda.

CAPÍTULO II Matando os Inocentes

English → Thomas Gradgrind era um homem de fatos e cálculos. Acreditava que dois mais dois eram quatro e não aceitava nada além disso. Com réguas, balanças e tabuadas, sentia-se pronto para medir qualquer parte da natureza humana. Para ele, tudo era apenas uma questão de números.

Era assim que o Sr. Gradgrind sempre se apresentava em pensamento, tanto em particular quanto em público. Agora ele se apresentava da mesma maneira às crianças, que esperavam ser preenchidas com fatos.

Enquanto seus olhos brilhavam para os alunos, ele parecia um canhão cheio de fatos, pronto para expulsar deles a infância. Também parecia uma máquina feita para substituir a jovem imaginação das crianças por algo frio e mecânico.

“Menina número vinte”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, apontando com firmeza. “Não conheço essa menina. Quem é ela?”

“Sissy Jupe, senhor”, respondeu a número vinte. Ela corou, levantou-se e fez uma reverência.

“Sissy não é um nome adequado”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. “Não se chame de Sissy. Chame-se Cecilia.”

English → “Meu pai me chama de Sissy, senhor”, respondeu a menina com voz trêmula, fazendo outra reverência.

“Então ele não deveria”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. “Diga-lhe que pare. Cecilia Jupe, o que seu pai faz?”

“Ele trabalha com os cavaleiros do circo, senhor.”

O Sr. Gradgrind franziu a testa e afastou com a mão aquela profissão que considerava inaceitável.

“Não queremos ouvir falar disso aqui. Seu pai treina cavalos, não é?”

“Sim, senhor. Quando conseguem cavalos para treinar, eles os treinam no picadeiro.”

“Não mencione o picadeiro aqui. Chame seu pai de treinador de cavalos. Suponho que ele também trate cavalos doentes?”

“Ah, sim, senhor.”

“Muito bem. Ele é veterinário, ferrador e treinador de cavalos. Agora defina um cavalo.”

(Essa pergunta assustou muito Sissy Jupe.)

“A menina número vinte não consegue definir um cavalo!”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind à turma. “Ela não conhece nenhum fato sobre um dos animais mais comuns! Que um menino o defina. Bitzer, dê sua resposta.”

English → O dedo que apontava parou em Bitzer. Sissy e Bitzer estavam sentados em lados opostos de um raio de sol. O sol tornava mais intensos os olhos e cabelos escuros de Sissy, mas parecia retirar a pouca cor que Bitzer possuía. Seus olhos eram pálidos e frios, o cabelo curto e cor de areia, e a pele tão branca que parecia que ele sangraria branco.

“Bitzer”, disse Thomas Gradgrind. “Defina um cavalo.”

“Um animal de quatro patas que come capim. Tem quarenta dentes. Perde a pelagem na primavera e, às vezes, os cascos em regiões úmidas. Seus cascos duros precisam de ferraduras, e sua idade pode ser conhecida pelas marcas na boca.” Essa foi a resposta factual de Bitzer.

“Agora, menina número vinte”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, “você sabe o que é um cavalo.”

Sissy fez outra reverência, ainda muito corada. Bitzer piscou depressa para o Sr. Gradgrind; a luz em seus cílios fazia com que parecessem antenas de inseto. Depois tocou a testa sardenta com os nós dos dedos e se sentou.

English → O terceiro homem avançou. Era um poderoso funcionário do governo que sempre tinha um sistema para impor a todos. Como um boxeador treinado, estava pronto para atacar qualquer assunto e derrotar o bom senso. Suas ordens vinham de altas autoridades que sonhavam com um mundo governado por comissários.

“Muito bem”, disse o homem com um sorriso rápido. “Isso é um cavalo. Agora me digam, meninos e meninas: vocês colocariam figuras de cavalos no papel de parede de uma sala?”

Depois de uma pausa, metade das crianças gritou: “Sim, senhor!” A outra metade percebeu pelo rosto do homem que essa resposta estava errada e gritou: “Não, senhor!” Isso acontecia com frequência em provas assim.

“Claro que não. Por que vocês não fariam isso?”

Houve outra pausa. Um menino corpulento e lento, que respirava com dificuldade, sugeriu que pintaria a sala em vez de usar papel de parede.

“Você deve usar papel de parede”, disse o homem, um tanto irritado.

English → “Você deve usar papel de parede”, disse Thomas Gradgrind. “Não importa se gosta ou não. Não nos diga que não o usaria. O que você quer dizer, menino?”

“Vou explicar por que vocês não usariam papel de parede com cavalos”, disse o homem depois de outra pausa triste. “Vocês alguma vez veem cavalos de verdade andando pelas paredes das salas?”

“Sim, senhor!”, gritou uma metade. “Não, senhor!”, gritou a outra.

“Claro que não”, disse o homem, encarando os que haviam errado. “Vocês não devem mostrar nem possuir nada que não exista de fato. O que as pessoas chamam de Gosto é apenas outro nome para Fato.” Thomas Gradgrind assentiu.

“Esta é uma grande descoberta nova”, disse o homem. “Vamos tentar de novo. Se estivessem escolhendo um tapete, escolheriam um com figuras de flores?”

A essa altura, a maioria das crianças acreditava que “Não, senhor!” era sempre a resposta certa e gritou isso bem alto. Apenas algumas vozes fracas disseram sim, entre elas a de Sissy Jupe.

English → “Menina número vinte”, disse o homem, sorrindo com a calma confiança de quem sabe tudo.

Sissy corou e se levantou.

“Então você cobriria seu quarto - ou o quarto de seu marido, quando crescesse - com figuras de flores? Por quê?”, perguntou o homem.

“Porque adoro flores, senhor”, respondeu a menina.

“E por esse motivo você colocaria móveis sobre elas e deixaria as pessoas pisarem nelas com botas pesadas?”

“Isso não faria mal a elas, senhor. São apenas figuras, por isso não poderiam ser esmagadas nem morrer. Mostrariam algo bonito e agradável, e eu imaginaria...”

“Aí está! Você não deve imaginar”, exclamou o homem, feliz por chegar ao ponto desejado. “Essa é a regra: nunca imagine.”

“Cecilia Jupe, você não deve fazer nada desse tipo”, repetiu Thomas Gradgrind com seriedade.

“Fato, fato, fato!”, disse o homem. “Fato, fato, fato!”, repetiu Thomas Gradgrind.

English → “Os Fatos devem controlar tudo”, disse o homem. “Esqueçam a palavra Imaginação. Objetos úteis e decorativos devem mostrar apenas o que é verdadeiro. Não pisamos em flores, portanto os tapetes não podem mostrar flores. Pássaros e borboletas não pousam em pratos, e animais não caminham pelas paredes, portanto não devemos pintá-los ali. A decoração deve usar formas matemáticas simples e cores básicas. Isso é Fato, e isso é Gosto.”

A menina fez uma reverência e se sentou. Era muito jovem e parecia assustada com aquela visão fria e factual do mundo.

“Agora, se o Sr. M'Choakumchild der sua primeira aula, Sr. Gradgrind, terei prazer em observar seu método”, disse o homem.

O Sr. Gradgrind agradeceu. “Sr. M'Choakumchild, estamos esperando pelo senhor.”

O Sr. M'Choakumchild começou da melhor maneira que sabia. Ele e outros 140 professores haviam recebido recentemente o mesmo treinamento, semelhante ao de uma fábrica. Estudara gramática, história, geografia, ciências, matemática, música, desenho e vários idiomas. Conhecia fatos sem fim sobre o mundo. No entanto, aprendera demais: se tivesse aprendido menos, talvez pudesse ensinar mais.

English → Nessa primeira aula, ele examinou as crianças uma por uma, como Morgiana verificando os jarros em _Os Quarenta Ladrões_. Mas, ao encher cada criança com sua reserva fervente de fatos, ele mataria por completo o ladrão escondido chamado Imaginação - ou apenas o feriria e deformaria?

CAPÍTULO III Uma Brecha

English → O Sr. Gradgrind voltou da escola para casa muito satisfeito. A escola era dele, e ele queria que fosse um modelo. Cada aluno deveria ser exemplar, assim como seus próprios filhos.

Havia cinco jovens Gradgrind, e todos eram considerados modelos. Desde muito pequenos, ouviam lições sem fim. Quase assim que aprenderam a andar, foram mandados para a sala de aula. Sua primeira lembrança parecia ser um grande quadro-negro e uma figura seca e assustadora escrevendo números brancos nele.

É claro que nada sabiam sobre monstros imaginários - os Fatos não permitiam isso. Uso a palavra apenas para descrever um professor de muitas cabeças que capturava a infância e a arrastava para cavernas escuras de estatísticas.

Nenhuma criança Gradgrind imaginara um rosto na Lua nem cantara “Brilha, Brilha, Estrelinha”. Aos cinco anos, todas já conheciam fatos científicos sobre as estrelas. Nunca ouviram histórias infantis sobre vacas famosas. Uma vaca lhes fora apresentada apenas como um animal de quatro patas, que come capim e tem vários estômagos.

English → O Sr. Gradgrind caminhou em direção à sua casa prática, Stone Lodge. Deixara o comércio de ferragens antes de construí-la e agora esperava entrar para o Parlamento. Stone Lodge ficava em uma área aberta, a pouca distância da grande cidade industrial de Coketown.

Stone Lodge era extremamente regular e não escondia sua natureza simples. Era uma grande casa quadrada, com uma entrada pesada que escurecia as janelas principais, assim como as sobrancelhas do dono sombreavam seus olhos. Cada janela, ala, gramado e jardim fora contado e disposto em linhas retas. Havia gás, ventilação, esgoto, água, proteção contra incêndio e elevadores mecânicos de excelente qualidade - tudo o que um coração prático poderia desejar.

Tudo? Talvez. As crianças Gradgrind também possuíam pequenas coleções de conchas, metais e minerais. Cada objeto estava cuidadosamente organizado e etiquetado. Mas, se essas crianças ainda queriam algo mais, o que poderia ser?

O pai continuou caminhando, esperançoso e satisfeito. Amava os filhos à sua maneira, mas teria se definido como um pai “extremamente prático”. Orgulhava-se dessa expressão. Nas reuniões públicas de Coketown, alguém sempre descrevia Gradgrind como extremamente prático, e o elogio lhe agradava.

English → Na área degradada nos limites da cidade, Gradgrind ouviu a música alta de um espetáculo itinerante de cavalos instalado em um prédio de madeira. Uma bandeira anunciava “Equitação de Sleary”. Sleary recebia o dinheiro, e cartazes prometiam o elegante número equestre da Srta. Josephine Sleary. Signor Jupe mostraria seu cão treinado Merrylegs, realizaria incríveis provas de força, contaria piadas e terminaria com uma peça engraçada chamada _A Viagem do Alfaiate a Brentford_.

Naturalmente, Thomas Gradgrind ignorou aquela diversão tola e seguiu em frente como um homem prático. Mas a estrada passava por trás do espetáculo, onde várias crianças tentavam olhar para dentro às escondidas.

Ele parou. “Vejam só esses vagabundos”, disse, “atraindo jovens arruaceiros para longe de uma escola modelo.”

Uma faixa de capim ralo e lixo o separava das crianças. Ele tirou os óculos para encontrar algum aluno a quem pudesse mandar embora. Então viu algo quase inacreditável: sua própria Louisa espiava com atenção por um buraco numa tábua, enquanto o filho Thomas estava deitado no chão, tentando ver ao menos um casco da elegante amazona.

English → Sem palavras de tanta surpresa, o Sr. Gradgrind atravessou o espaço, pôs a mão em cada filho culpado e disse:

“Louisa! Thomas!”

Os dois se levantaram, vermelhos e constrangidos. Louisa olhou para o pai com mais coragem que Thomas. Thomas nem sequer o encarou e deixou-se levar para casa como uma máquina.

“Em nome da curiosidade, da preguiça e da tolice”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind enquanto os levava pelas mãos, “o que vocês estão fazendo aqui?”

“Queríamos ver como era”, respondeu Louisa brevemente.

“Como era?”

“Sim, pai.”

As duas crianças pareciam cansadas e infelizes, especialmente Louisa. Mesmo assim, uma luz inquieta brilhava através de sua insatisfação. Sua imaginação estava faminta, mas de algum modo ainda vivia. Seus clarões incertos não eram a alegria natural da juventude; eram dolorosos, como a expressão de uma pessoa cega procurando um caminho.

Ela tinha agora quinze ou dezesseis anos, mas logo pareceria tornar-se mulher de uma só vez. O pai percebeu isso enquanto a observava. Ela era bonita e, segundo ele, teria sido teimosa sem a educação prática que recebera.

English → “Thomas, embora eu veja o fato diante de mim, acho difícil acreditar que um menino com sua educação e suas vantagens tenha trazido a irmã a um lugar como este.”

“Eu o trouxe, pai”, disse Louisa rapidamente. “Eu pedi que ele viesse.”

“Lamento muito ouvir isso. Isso não torna Thomas melhor e torna você pior, Louisa.”

Ela olhou novamente para o pai, mas nenhuma lágrima desceu por seu rosto.

“Você e Thomas têm acesso a todas as ciências. Estão cheios de fatos e foram treinados com exatidão matemática. Mesmo assim, aqui estão os dois, nesta situação vergonhosa! Estou espantado”, exclamou o Sr. Gradgrind.

“Eu estava cansada, pai. Estou cansada há muito tempo”, disse Louisa.

“Cansada? De quê?”, perguntou o pai, surpreso.

“Não sei... de tudo, eu acho.”

English → - Não diga mais nada - respondeu o Sr. Gradgrind. - Você está sendo infantil. Não quero ouvir mais nada. - Eles caminharam em silêncio por cerca de oitocentos metros. Então ele disse com seriedade: - O que seus melhores amigos diriam, Louisa? Você não dá valor à boa opinião deles? O que o Sr. Bounderby diria? - Ao ouvir esse nome, Louisa lançou ao pai um olhar profundo e atento. Ele não viu, pois ela baixou os olhos antes que ele olhasse para ela.

- O que o Sr. Bounderby diria? - repetiu ele pouco depois. Enquanto conduzia com indignação os dois filhos culpados de volta a Stone Lodge, continuava repetindo: - O que o Sr. Bounderby diria? - como se o Sr. Bounderby representasse toda a respeitável opinião pública.

CAPÍTULO IV O Sr. Bounderby

English → Já que ele não era a Sra. Grundy, quem era o Sr. Bounderby?

O Sr. Bounderby era tão amigo íntimo do Sr. Gradgrind quanto um homem totalmente sem sentimentos poderia ser de outro. Era muito próximo - ou talvez muito distante.

Era um rico banqueiro, comerciante, fabricante e muito mais. Era um homem grande e barulhento, de olhar duro e riso metálico. Seu corpo grosseiro parecia ter sido esticado para torná-lo tão grande. A cabeça e a testa eram inchadas, as veias das têmporas saltavam e a pele apertada do rosto parecia manter os olhos e as sobrancelhas erguidos. Parecia um balão inflado, pronto para subir. Nunca parava de se gabar de ser um homem que vencera sozinho. Com sua voz alta, semelhante ao som do metal, anunciava constantemente sua antiga ignorância e pobreza. Intimidava todos com histórias de suas origens humildes.

English → O Sr. Bounderby era um ou dois anos mais novo que seu amigo muito prático, mas parecia mais velho. Embora tivesse quarenta e sete ou quarenta e oito anos, ninguém se surpreenderia se ele fosse sete ou oito anos mais velho. Tinha pouco cabelo. Era possível imaginar que gastara a maior parte dele de tanto falar, enquanto o restante ficava desordenadamente em pé por causa do vento de suas constantes fanfarronices.

Na sala de visitas formal de Stone Lodge, o Sr. Bounderby ficou sobre o tapete diante do fogo e falou com a Sra. Gradgrind sobre seu aniversário. Estava ali em parte porque a tarde de primavera era fresca, embora ensolarada; em parte porque a umidade parecia sempre assombrar Stone Lodge; e em parte porque aquela posição o ajudava a dominar a Sra. Gradgrind.

- Eu não tinha sapatos. Nem sequer sabia o que eram meias. Passei o dia numa vala e a noite num chiqueiro. Foi assim que passei meu décimo aniversário. Uma vala não era novidade para mim, pois nasci em uma.

English → A Sra. Gradgrind era uma mulher pequena, magra e pálida, de olhos rosados, envolta em xales. Era extremamente fraca de corpo e mente. Vivia tomando remédios sem resultado e, sempre que mostrava algum sinal de despertar para a vida, algum fato pesado logo a deixava atordoada. Ela disse que esperava que a vala estivesse seca.

- Não! Estava completamente molhada, com trinta centímetros de água - disse o Sr. Bounderby.

A Sra. Gradgrind achou que aquilo bastava para deixar um bebê resfriado.

- Um resfriado? Nasci com os pulmões inflamados e, acredito, com todas as outras inflamações possíveis - respondeu o Sr. Bounderby. - Durante anos, senhora, fui uma das criaturinhas mais miseráveis que alguém já viu. Eu era tão doente que vivia gemendo. Estava tão sujo e vestido com tantos trapos que a senhora não teria tocado em mim nem com uma tenaz.

A Sra. Gradgrind olhou debilmente para a tenaz, pois essa era a única reação adequada que sua mente limitada conseguia imaginar.

English → - Não sei como sobrevivi - disse Bounderby. - Suponho que eu fosse determinado. Tenho sido determinado na vida adulta, então provavelmente também era naquela época. De qualquer modo, aqui estou, Sra. Gradgrind, e não tenho ninguém além de mim mesmo a quem agradecer.

A Sra. Gradgrind começou a expressar, com doçura e fraqueza, a esperança de que a mãe dele -

- Minha mãe? Ela fugiu, senhora! - disse Bounderby.

A Sra. Gradgrind ficou atordoada, como sempre. Desabou e desistiu.

- Minha mãe me deixou com minha avó - disse Bounderby. - Pelo que me lembro, minha avó era a velha mais perversa e terrível que já existiu. Se por acaso eu ganhava um par de sapatinhos, ela os tirava de mim e vendia para comprar bebida. Já vi minha avó deitada na cama beber catorze copos de álcool antes do café da manhã!

A Sra. Gradgrind sorriu fracamente, mas não mostrou nenhum outro sinal de vida. Como sempre, parecia uma imagem malfeita de uma mulher pequena, com pouca luz por trás.

English → - Ela tinha uma pequena loja - continuou Bounderby - e me mantinha numa caixa de ovos. Uma velha caixa de ovos era meu berço. Assim que fiquei grande o bastante, naturalmente fugi. Então me tornei um jovem andarilho sem lar. Em vez de uma velha me bater e me deixar passar fome, pessoas de todas as idades batiam em mim e me deixavam passar fome. Elas tinham razão. Eu era um incômodo, um peso e uma praga. Sei muito bem disso.

Ele sentia tanto orgulho de ter alcançado um dia a grande posição social de incômodo, peso e praga que repetiu a fanfarronice em voz alta três vezes.

English → - Suponho que eu estava destinado a sobreviver, Sra. Gradgrind. Destinado ou não, sobrevivi, embora ninguém tenha me lançado uma corda. Passei de menino sem lar a mensageiro, trabalhador, carregador, escriturário, gerente-chefe, pequeno sócio e, finalmente, Josiah Bounderby de Coketown. Essa é minha história e seu ponto mais alto. Aprendi o alfabeto nas placas das lojas e a ver as horas no relógio da Igreja de St. Giles, em Londres, ensinado por um homem com deficiência, bêbado, ladrão condenado e andarilho por toda a vida. Fale-me de suas escolas distritais, escolas-modelo e escolas de formação, e direi que são todas muito boas. Eu não tive nenhuma dessas vantagens. A educação que me formou não servirá para todos, mas foi a minha educação. Poderiam me obrigar a engolir gordura fervente, mas nunca me obrigariam a esconder os fatos da minha vida.

Empolgado com essa afirmação final, Josiah Bounderby parou de falar. Naquele exato momento, seu amigo muito prático entrou com os dois jovens infratores e também parou. Ao ver Bounderby, o Sr. Gradgrind lançou a Louisa um olhar de censura que dizia claramente: - Veja o seu Bounderby!

English → - Então! - gritou o Sr. Bounderby. - O que há de errado? Por que o jovem Thomas está tão infeliz?

Ele falou do jovem Thomas, mas olhou para Louisa.

- Estávamos olhando o circo às escondidas - murmurou Louisa com orgulho, sem levantar os olhos - , e papai nos pegou.

- Sra. Gradgrind - disse o marido com solenidade - , eu teria ficado igualmente surpreso se encontrasse nossos filhos lendo poesia.

- Meu Deus - lamentou-se a Sra. Gradgrind. - Como puderam fazer isso, Louisa e Thomas? Estou espantada com vocês. Vocês são capazes de me fazer lamentar ter tido uma família. Quase desejo nunca ter tido uma. O que vocês teriam feito então, eu gostaria de saber?

O Sr. Gradgrind não pareceu impressionado com esses argumentos aparentemente fortes. Franziu a testa com impaciência.

- Com minha cabeça doendo desse jeito, por que vocês não podiam olhar as conchas, os minerais e as outras coisas oferecidas a vocês, em vez de circos? - disse a Sra. Gradgrind. - Os jovens não têm professores de circo, não guardam circos em armários nem assistem a palestras sobre eles. Por que iriam querer saber de circos? Vocês já têm bastante para estudar. Com minha cabeça assim, eu não conseguiria lembrar nem metade dos nomes de todos os fatos que vocês precisam aprender.

English → - Essa é exatamente a razão! - respondeu Louisa, contrariada.

- Não me diga que essa é a razão, porque não pode ser nada disso - disse a Sra. Gradgrind. - Vão estudar alguma coisa científica imediatamente. - A Sra. Gradgrind sabia pouco sobre ciência, por isso geralmente mandava os filhos estudar com essa ordem geral e deixava que escolhessem a matéria.

Na verdade, a Sra. Gradgrind conhecia pouquíssimos fatos. O Sr. Gradgrind se casara com ela por duas razões. Primeiro, ela era uma escolha satisfatória segundo os números. Segundo, não tinha “bobagens” dentro de si. Por bobagens ele entendia imaginação, e ela provavelmente possuía tão pouca imaginação quanto uma pessoa que não fosse uma completa idiota poderia possuir.

O simples fato de ficar sozinha com o marido e o Sr. Bounderby bastava para deixar essa admirável senhora novamente atordoada, mesmo sem outro fato atingi-la. Assim, ela voltou a apagar-se, e ninguém prestou atenção.

English → - Bounderby - disse o Sr. Gradgrind, puxando uma cadeira para perto do fogo - , você sempre se interessa por meus filhos, especialmente por Louisa, por isso lhe digo livremente que essa descoberta me preocupa muito. Como sabe, dediquei-me a educar a razão de minha família. A razão é a única capacidade que a educação deve desenvolver. Contudo, o pequeno e inesperado acontecimento de hoje sugere que algo entrou na mente de Thomas e Louisa. É algo que eu nunca pretendi desenvolver e no qual a razão não participa.

- Certamente não há razão em observar com interesse um grupo de artistas sem lar - respondeu Bounderby. - Quando eu mesmo era um sem-teto, ninguém me olhava com interesse. Sei disso.

- Então precisamos perguntar - disse o pai muito prático, olhando para o fogo - : de onde vem essa curiosidade vulgar?

- Eu lhe direi. Ela vem da imaginação inútil.

- Espero que não - disse o homem prático. - Contudo, admito que tive o mesmo receio no caminho para casa.

English → - É imaginação inútil, Gradgrind - repetiu Bounderby. - Isso é ruim para qualquer pessoa, mas especialmente terrível para uma moça como Louisa. Eu pediria desculpas à Sra. Gradgrind por minha linguagem forte, mas ela sabe que não sou um homem refinado. Quem esperar refinamento de mim ficará decepcionado. Não recebi uma educação refinada.

Gradgrind ficou pensando, com as mãos nos bolsos e os olhos fundos fixos no fogo. - Será que algum professor ou criado sugeriu alguma coisa? Será que Louisa ou Thomas estiveram lendo? Apesar de todas as precauções, será que algum livro inútil de histórias entrou em casa? A mente deles foi treinada por regras rígidas desde o nascimento, por isso isso é muito estranho e impossível de compreender.

- Espere! - gritou Bounderby. Ele ainda estava junto ao fogo, e suas declarações ruidosas sobre seu passado humilde pareciam prestes a fazer os móveis explodirem. - Um dos filhos daqueles artistas viajantes frequenta sua escola.

- O nome dela é Cecilia Jupe - disse o Sr. Gradgrind, olhando para o amigo com certo choque.

English → - Agora espere! - gritou Bounderby outra vez. - Como ela entrou na escola?

- O fato é que eu mesmo vi a menina pela primeira vez apenas há um instante. Como ela normalmente não pertence à nossa cidade, veio aqui em casa pedir especialmente para ser admitida. E... sim, você tem razão, Bounderby. Tem razão.

- Agora espere! - gritou Bounderby mais uma vez. - Louisa a viu quando ela veio?

- Louisa certamente a viu, pois me contou sobre o pedido. Mas tenho certeza de que Louisa a viu na presença da Sra. Gradgrind.

- Por favor, diga-nos, Sra. Gradgrind - pediu Bounderby - , o que aconteceu?

- Ah, minha pobre saúde! - respondeu a Sra. Gradgrind. - A menina queria frequentar a escola, o Sr. Gradgrind queria que meninas a frequentassem, e Louisa e Thomas disseram que essas duas coisas eram verdade. Como eu poderia discordar se eram fatos?

- Vou lhe dizer o que fazer, Gradgrind! - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Mande essa menina embora, e isso encerrará o assunto.

English → - Concordo em grande parte com você.

- Faça isso imediatamente - disse Bounderby. - Essa tem sido minha regra desde a infância. Quando decidi fugir de minha caixa de ovos e de minha avó, fiz isso na mesma hora. Você deve fazer o mesmo. Faça agora!

- Você vai caminhar? - perguntou o amigo. - Tenho o endereço do pai. Importa-se de ir comigo até a cidade?

- De modo algum - disse o Sr. Bounderby - , desde que você aja imediatamente!

O Sr. Bounderby atirou o chapéu na cabeça. Sempre fazia isso, como se tivesse estado ocupado demais construindo o próprio sucesso para aprender uma maneira elegante de usá-lo. Com as mãos nos bolsos, caminhou devagar até o corredor. Costumava dizer: - Nunca uso luvas. Não subi a escada do sucesso usando luvas. Não estaria tão alto agora se tivesse usado.

English → Enquanto o Sr. Gradgrind subia para buscar o endereço, Bounderby esperou no corredor por um ou dois minutos. Abriu a porta da sala de estudos e olhou para o cômodo silencioso. Apesar dos livros, armários e muitos instrumentos educativos, o lugar lembrava um pouco uma sala de cortar cabelo. Louisa apoiava-se cansada na janela, olhando para fora sem ver nada. O jovem Thomas estava junto ao fogo, fungando com raiva. Adam Smith e Malthus, dois Gradgrinds mais novos, estavam numa palestra sob supervisão. A pequena Jane cobrira o rosto com uma mistura úmida de lápis de ardósia e lágrimas e depois adormecera sobre suas frações.

- Agora está tudo bem, Louisa e jovem Thomas - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Vocês não farão isso outra vez. Garanto que seu pai encerrou o assunto. Bem, Louisa, isso merece um beijo, não merece?

- Pode dar um, Sr. Bounderby - respondeu Louisa. Depois de uma pausa fria, atravessou lentamente a sala e, sem vontade, ergueu a face em direção a ele, mantendo o rosto virado para o outro lado.

English → - Você é sempre minha favorita, não é, Louisa? - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Adeus, Louisa!

Ele foi embora, mas ela permaneceu no mesmo lugar, esfregando com o lenço a face que ele beijara até ficar muito vermelha. Cinco minutos depois, ela ainda a esfregava.

- O que você está fazendo, Loo? - reclamou o irmão. - Vai abrir um buraco no rosto de tanto esfregar.

- Você pode cortar esse pedaço com seu canivete, se quiser, Tom. Eu não choraria!

CAPÍTULO V A Nota Fundamental

English → Coketown, para onde o Sr. Bounderby e o Sr. Gradgrind caminhavam agora, era uma vitória dos fatos. Não tinha mais imaginação do que a Sra. Gradgrind. Antes de continuarmos nossa melodia, vamos tocar a nota principal de Coketown.

Era uma cidade de tijolos vermelhos, ou de tijolos que seriam vermelhos sem a fumaça e as cinzas. Em vez disso, a cidade tinha um vermelho e preto artificiais. Era cheia de máquinas e chaminés altas que soltavam serpentes intermináveis de fumaça. Tinha um canal negro, um rio tingido de roxo por uma tinta malcheirosa e enormes edifícios cheios de janelas. Dentro deles, as máquinas faziam barulho e tremiam o dia inteiro, enquanto os pistões a vapor subiam e desciam sem parar, como a cabeça de um elefante triste e enlouquecido. Suas ruas grandes eram todas parecidas, e as pequenas eram ainda mais parecidas. Pessoas de aparência semelhante saíam e voltavam nos mesmos horários, faziam os mesmos sons nas mesmas calçadas e realizavam o mesmo trabalho. Cada dia era igual ao anterior e ao seguinte, e cada ano era igual ao que passara e ao que viria.

English → A maioria dessas características de Coketown era necessária à indústria que sustentava a cidade. Em troca, ela produzia confortos usados no mundo inteiro e luxos apreciados por damas elegantes que mal suportavam ouvir falar de Coketown. Mas suas outras características tinham sido escolhidas livremente, e eram estas.

Tudo em Coketown parecia estritamente útil. Dezoito grupos religiosos haviam construído capelas, mas cada uma parecia um armazém sagrado de tijolos vermelhos, às vezes com um sino numa gaiola no topo. A única exceção era a Igreja Nova, um edifício rebocado com uma torre quadrada e quatro pontas curtas e decoradas, semelhantes a pernas de madeira. Todas as placas públicas usavam as mesmas letras rígidas em preto e branco. A prisão, o hospital e a prefeitura eram tão parecidos que qualquer um poderia ser o outro. Os fatos estavam por toda parte, tanto nas coisas quanto nas ideias. A escola de M’Choakumchild, a escola de desenho e as relações entre patrões e trabalhadores baseavam-se todas em fatos. Da maternidade ao cemitério, qualquer coisa que não pudesse ser expressa em números, comprada barato e vendida caro não existia e jamais existiria. Amém.

English → Uma cidade tão dedicada aos fatos e tão orgulhosa disso certamente devia ter prosperado. Mas não, ela não prosperou por completo. Não? Que surpresa!

English → Não. Coketown não saía de suas fornalhas tão pura quanto o ouro. Primeiro, ninguém sabia quem pertencia aos seus dezoito grupos religiosos, mas os trabalhadores claramente não pertenciam. Nas manhãs de domingo, poucos trabalhadores saíam de seus quartos apertados e das esquinas quando os sinos ásperos das igrejas tocavam. Eles observavam as pessoas indo à igreja como se a religião nada tivesse a ver com eles. Uma organização local pedia repetidamente ao Parlamento que obrigasse os trabalhadores a ser religiosos. A Sociedade da Temperança usava tabelas para reclamar que eles continuavam se embriagando e afirmava que apenas uma medalha poderia detê-los. Os farmacêuticos mostravam que, quando não bebiam, tomavam ópio. O capelão da prisão usava mais tabelas para mostrar que frequentavam lugares escondidos e pouco respeitáveis, onde ouviam canções, viam danças e talvez participassem delas. Um prisioneiro pouco confiável chegou a dizer que um lugar assim iniciara sua ruína. O Sr. Gradgrind e o Sr. Bounderby podiam oferecer ainda mais tabelas e exemplos. Tudo isso supostamente provava que os trabalhadores eram ruins, ingratos, inquietos, exigentes e sempre insatisfeitos, por mais que os outros fizessem por eles. Em resumo, a situação lembrava um antigo verso infantil:

English → Havia uma velha - o que vocês acham? Ela vivia apenas de comida e bebida. Comida e bebida eram tudo o que tinha, mas essa velha NUNCA estava satisfeita.

Será que o povo de Coketown era semelhante aos jovens Gradgrind? Certamente nenhuma pessoa sensata que entendesse de números afirmaria que uma importante necessidade humana dos trabalhadores vinha sendo ignorada de propósito havia muitos anos. Será que eles possuíam uma imaginação que precisava de uma expressão saudável em vez de sofrimento? Quanto mais tempo faziam um trabalho monótono e repetitivo, mais necessitavam de alívio físico: uma diversão alegre, uma dança honesta ao som de música animada, um feriado reconhecido ou algum entretenimento leve sem a interferência de M’Choakumchild. Essa necessidade precisava ser satisfeita de maneira saudável. Caso contrário, certamente encontraria uma forma prejudicial, a menos que as próprias leis da natureza mudassem.

- Esse homem mora em Pod’s End, e eu não conheço bem essa região - disse o Sr. Gradgrind. - Para que lado fica, Bounderby?

English → O Sr. Bounderby sabia que ficava em algum lugar na parte baixa da cidade, mas não sabia mais nada. Eles pararam por um instante e olharam ao redor.

Naquele momento, uma menina assustada que o Sr. Gradgrind reconheceu surgiu correndo depressa na esquina. - Olá! - disse ele. - Pare! Aonde você vai? Pare! - A menina número vinte parou, respirando com dificuldade, e fez uma reverência para ele.

- Por que você está correndo descontroladamente pelas ruas dessa maneira imprópria? - perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind.

- Alguém estava me perseguindo, senhor - disse a menina, ofegante - , e eu queria escapar.

- Perseguindo você? - repetiu o Sr. Gradgrind. - Quem perseguiria você?

A resposta veio de repente. O pálido garoto Bitzer dobrou a esquina correndo tão às cegas e esperava tão completamente encontrar a calçada livre que bateu na barriga do Sr. Gradgrind e ricocheteou para a rua.

- O que significa isso, garoto? - disse o Sr. Gradgrind. - O que está fazendo? Como ousa bater em todo mundo desse jeito? - Bitzer apanhou o boné que a colisão derrubara. Recuou, tocou respeitosamente a testa e disse que fora um acidente.

English → - Era esse garoto que estava perseguindo você, Jupe? - perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind.

- Sim, senhor - disse a menina, contra a vontade.

- Não, eu não estava, senhor! - gritou Bitzer. - Só depois que ela fugiu de mim. Mas os artistas de circo nunca se importam em dizer a verdade, senhor; todos sabem disso. Você sabe que os artistas de circo não se importam com o que dizem - falou para Sissy. - Todos na cidade sabem disso, assim como sabem que os artistas de circo não conhecem a tabuada. - Bitzer olhou para o Sr. Bounderby em busca de aprovação.

- Ele me assustou tanto com aquelas caretas cruéis! - disse a menina.

- Ah! - gritou Bitzer. - Você é igual aos outros! Não é uma artista de circo? Eu nunca fiz caretas para ela, senhor. Perguntei se amanhã ela saberia definir um cavalo e me ofereci para explicar outra vez. Ela fugiu, então fui atrás dela para garantir que soubesse responder à pergunta. Você não teria contado uma mentira tão prejudicial se não fosse uma artista de circo!

English → - Todos na escola já parecem saber o que a família dela faz - observou o Sr. Bounderby. - Dentro de uma semana, a escola inteira estaria enfileirada olhando o circo.

- Realmente acho que sim - respondeu o amigo. - Bitzer, dê meia-volta e vá para casa. Jupe, fique aqui por um momento. Garoto, se eu souber que voltou a correr desse jeito, falarei com o diretor da escola sobre você. Você me entendeu. Vá.

O garoto parou de piscar rapidamente, tocou a testa com respeito outra vez, olhou para Sissy, virou-se e foi embora.

- Agora, menina - disse o Sr. Gradgrind - , leve este cavalheiro e a mim até a casa de seu pai. Estamos indo para lá. O que há nessa garrafa que você carrega?

- Gim - disse o Sr. Bounderby.

- Ah, não, senhor! É o óleo das nove essências.

- O quê? - gritou o Sr. Bounderby.

- O óleo das nove essências, senhor. Eu o uso para massagear meu pai.

O Sr. Bounderby deu uma risada curta e alta. - Por que diabos você massageia seu pai com o óleo das nove essências?

English → - Nosso pessoal do circo sempre usa isso quando se machuca no picadeiro, senhor - respondeu a menina, olhando por cima do ombro para garantir que Bitzer tinha ido embora. - Às vezes eles ficam com hematomas terríveis.

- Eles merecem isso por serem ociosos - disse o Sr. Bounderby. Ela ergueu os olhos para o rosto dele com surpresa e medo.

- Meu Deus! - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Quando eu era quatro ou cinco anos mais novo que você, meus hematomas eram tão graves que dez, vinte ou quarenta óleos não conseguiriam removê-los. Não os ganhei fazendo apresentações. Ganhei apanhando. Eu não dançava numa corda. Dançava no chão nu enquanto as pessoas batiam em mim com uma.

O Sr. Gradgrind era um homem duro, mas estava longe de ser tão grosseiro quanto o Sr. Bounderby. Considerando tudo, ele não era naturalmente cruel. Poderia até ter sido muito bondoso se, anos antes, tivesse cometido um grande erro nos cálculos que moldaram seu caráter. Quando entraram numa rua estreita, tentou parecer tranquilizador e disse: - Então isto é Pod’s End, não é, Jupe?

English → - Sim, senhor, e... se não se importa, senhor... esta é a casa.

Ao anoitecer, ela parou diante da porta de uma pequena e pobre taberna com luzes vermelhas e fracas. O lugar parecia esgotado e malcuidado, como se a falta de clientes tivesse levado o próprio edifício a começar a beber, seguir o caminho de todos os bêbados e aproximar-se do fim.

‘É só atravessar o bar e subir a escada, senhor. Por favor, espere ali enquanto pego uma vela. Se ouvir um cachorro, é apenas o Merrylegs, e ele só late.’

‘Merrylegs e nove óleos, hein!’, disse o Sr. Bounderby, entrando por último com sua risada metálica. ‘Nada mau para um homem que venceu sozinho!’

CAPÍTULO VI A Arte Equestre de Sleary

English → A hospedaria chamava-se Armas de Pégaso. Uma imagem do cavalo alado aparecia na placa, com o nome escrito abaixo em letras romanas. Sob isso, um pergaminho pintado trazia estes versos:

Bom malte faz boa cerveja; entre e aqui vão servi-la. Bom vinho faz boa aguardente; venha nos visitar e verá como é conveniente.

Atrás do pequeno bar sujo havia outro Pégaso emoldurado, feito para o teatro. Suas asas eram de gaze verdadeira, estrelas douradas cobriam seu corpo e seu belo arreio era de seda vermelha.

Estava escuro demais lá fora para ver a placa e ainda não havia luz suficiente dentro para ver o quadro; por isso, as imagens fantasiosas não ofenderam o Sr. Gradgrind nem o Sr. Bounderby. Eles seguiram a menina por uma escada íngreme e esperaram no escuro enquanto ela buscava uma vela. Esperavam que Merrylegs latisse, mas o cão treinado ficou em silêncio até ela voltar.

English → ‘Meu pai não está no nosso quarto, senhor’, disse Sissy, surpresa. ‘Por favor, entrem enquanto vou procurá-lo.’ Ela lhes deu duas cadeiras e saiu depressa. O quarto pobre tinha uma cama e o gorro de palco do Signor Jupe, enfeitado com penas de pavão e uma trança rígida. Nada mais mostrava sinal dele, de seu trabalho ou mesmo de Merrylegs.

Eles ouviram Sissy abrir e fechar portas no andar de cima enquanto procurava e depois escutaram vozes surpresas. Ela desceu correndo, abriu um velho baú estragado, encontrou-o vazio e olhou ao redor com as mãos unidas e o rosto aterrorizado.

‘Meu pai deve ter ido à barraca do circo, senhor. Não sei por quê, mas ele deve estar lá. Vou trazê-lo num instante!’ Ela saiu correndo sem o chapéu, com os longos cabelos escuros voando atrás dela.

‘O que ela quer dizer com “voltar num instante”?’, perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Fica a mais de uma milha daqui.’

English → Antes que o Sr. Bounderby respondesse, um jovem entrou com as mãos nos bolsos. Tinha o rosto magro e pálido, muito cabelo escuro, pernas fortes e curtas, e peito e costas muito largos. Suas roupas e seu cheiro misturavam o estábulo com o teatro. Era o Sr. E. W. B. Childers, famoso por um perigoso número de equitação como o Caçador Selvagem. Um menino pequeno, de aparência envelhecida, fazia o papel de seu filho. No palco, o menino se vestia de Cupido; em particular, porém, usava um casaco curto, tinha voz áspera e se comportava como um homem do mundo das corridas de cavalos.

‘Com licença, senhores’, disse o Sr. Childers, olhando ao redor. ‘Creio que queriam ver Jupe.’

‘Sim’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘A filha dele foi procurá-lo, mas não posso esperar. Vou deixar um recado com o senhor, se puder.’

O Sr. Bounderby acrescentou: ‘Meu amigo, nós somos pessoas que conhecem o valor do tempo, enquanto gente como vocês não conhece.’

English → O Sr. Childers olhou-o da cabeça aos pés e respondeu: ‘Não tenho a honra de conhecê-lo. Mas, se quer dizer que seu tempo rende mais dinheiro que o meu, sua aparência indica que tem razão.’

‘E, depois de ganhar dinheiro, suponho que também consiga guardá-lo’, disse Cupido.

‘Kidderminster, pare com isso!’, disse o Sr. Childers. Kidderminster era o verdadeiro nome de Cupido.

‘Então por que ele vem aqui nos insultar?’, gritou Kidderminster, irritado. ‘Se quer nos insultar, pague na entrada e faça isso durante o espetáculo.’

‘Kidderminster, pare!’, disse o Sr. Childers em voz mais alta. Depois falou ao Sr. Gradgrind: ‘Eu estava falando com o senhor. Talvez não saiba que Jupe tem falhado muitas vezes em suas apresentações ultimamente.’

‘Ele perdeu o quê?’, perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind, olhando para Bounderby em busca de ajuda.

‘Ele falhou no número.’

‘Ele tentou o número das Ligas quatro vezes ontem à noite e falhou em todas’, disse Kidderminster. ‘Também falhou com as bandeiras e foi fraco nas acrobacias.’

English → O Sr. Childers explicou: ‘Ele não fez o que devia. Seus saltos foram curtos e suas acrobacias foram ruins.’

‘Ah’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Então é isso que a expressão significa?’

‘Em geral, é isso que significa’, respondeu o Sr. Childers.

‘Nove óleos, Merrylegs, números fracassados, ligas, bandeiras e acrobacias!’, exclamou Bounderby com sua risada mais forte. ‘Que companhia estranha para um homem que venceu sozinho!’

Cupido respondeu: ‘Então se rebaixe! Se subiu tanto, desça um pouco.’

‘Este garoto é muito atrevido!’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, virando-se para ele com uma expressão zangada.

Kidderminster respondeu sem vergonha: ‘Teríamos arranjado um jovem cavalheiro para recebê-lo se soubéssemos que vinha. É uma pena que não tenha reservado uma apresentação especial, já que é tão exigente. O senhor se apresenta na corda bamba, não é?’

O Sr. Gradgrind pareceu desesperado e perguntou: ‘O que este garoto mal-educado quer dizer com “corda bamba”?’

English → ‘Saia!’, disse o Sr. Childers, empurrando o garoto para fora do quarto. ‘Não importa se é corda bamba ou corda frouxa. O senhor ia me deixar um recado para Jupe?’

‘Sim.’

O Sr. Childers continuou depressa: ‘Na minha opinião, ele nunca receberá o recado. O senhor o conhece bem?’

‘Nunca vi esse homem na vida.’

‘Duvido que algum dia o veja agora. Para mim, está claro que ele fugiu.’

‘Quer dizer que ele abandonou a filha?’

‘Sim’, disse o Sr. Childers, assentindo. ‘Ele foi embora. O público o rejeitou ontem à noite, na noite anterior e hoje. Isso tem acontecido muito ultimamente, e ele não consegue suportar.’

O Sr. Gradgrind perguntou com solenidade e relutância: ‘Por que o público o rejeitou tantas vezes?’

Childers disse: ‘As articulações dele estão ficando rígidas e seu corpo está desgastado. Ele ainda fala bem, mas não consegue ganhar a vida com isso.’

English → ‘Um orador!’, repetiu Bounderby. ‘Outra palavra estranha!’

‘Um orador, se prefere essa palavra’, disse Childers com orgulho, sacudindo os longos cabelos. ‘O fato notável é que Jupe sofreu mais porque sua filha sabia que ele havia fracassado do que pelo próprio fracasso.’

Bounderby interrompeu: ‘Excelente, Gradgrind! Ele ama tanto a filha que foge dela! Escute, jovem. Nem sempre fui rico. Talvez fique surpreso ao saber que minha própria mãe fugiu de mim.’

E. W. B. Childers respondeu claramente que isso não o surpreendia nem um pouco.

Bounderby disse: ‘Nasci numa vala, e minha mãe me abandonou. Nunca a perdoei. Eu a considero quase a pior mulher que já viveu, depois de minha avó bêbada. Não tenho falso orgulho familiar nem ideias sentimentais. Falo com clareza. Do mesmo modo, Jupe é um criminoso fugitivo e um vagabundo.’

English → Childers virou-se para ele e respondeu: ‘Não me importa o que Jupe é, em inglês ou francês. Estou contando os fatos ao seu amigo. Se não gosta de ouvi-los, vá lá para fora. O senhor fala bem alto, mas faça isso em seu próprio prédio. Possui algum prédio?’

‘Talvez’, respondeu o Sr. Bounderby, fazendo suas moedas tilintarem e rindo.

‘Então, por favor, fale alto em seu próprio prédio’, disse Childers. ‘Este não é forte, e o peso de sua presença pode fazê-lo cair!’

Depois de olhar Bounderby novamente da cabeça aos pés, Childers virou-se como se o assunto estivesse encerrado e ficou de frente para o Sr. Gradgrind.

‘Há menos de uma hora, Jupe mandou a filha fazer uma tarefa. Depois, viram-no sair às escondidas, com o chapéu sobre os olhos e uma trouxa debaixo do braço. Ela nunca acreditará, mas ele fugiu e a deixou.’

‘Por que ela nunca acreditará nisso?’, perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind.

English → ‘Porque eram como uma só pessoa e nunca se separavam. Até agora, ele parecia amá-la profundamente’, disse Childers, olhando dentro do baú vazio. Childers e Kidderminster caminhavam com as pernas afastadas e os joelhos rígidos. Todos os homens da companhia de Sleary andavam assim para dar a impressão de que estavam sempre a cavalo.

‘Pobre Sissy! O pai devia tê-la colocado como aprendiz’, disse Childers, sacudindo os cabelos ao levantar os olhos do baú vazio. ‘Agora ele a deixou sem nenhum ofício para seguir.’

O Sr. Gradgrind respondeu com aprovação: ‘É bom que expresse essa opinião, embora nunca tenha sido aprendiz.’

‘Eu nunca fui aprendiz? Tornei-me aprendiz aos sete anos.’

‘É mesmo?’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, irritado porque seu elogio não havia sido merecido. ‘Eu não sabia que jovens eram colocados como aprendizes de - ’

‘Preguiça’, interrompeu Bounderby com uma risada alta. ‘Nem eu!’

English → Ignorando Bounderby, Childers continuou: ‘O pai dela sempre quis que recebesse uma grande educação. Não sei por quê, mas ele nunca mudou de ideia. Durante sete anos, encontrou alguém para ensinar-lhe um pouco de leitura aqui, um pouco de escrita ali e aritmética em outro lugar.’

Childers tirou uma mão do bolso, passou-a pelo rosto e pelo queixo e olhou para o Sr. Gradgrind com muita dúvida e um pouco de esperança. Desde o início, tentava conquistar a simpatia de Gradgrind pela menina abandonada.

Ele continuou: ‘Quando Sissy entrou na escola daqui, o pai ficou muito contente. Eu não entendi por quê, pois viajamos de um lugar para outro. Talvez ele já planejasse partir e achasse que ela ficaria amparada. Se o senhor veio esta noite para oferecer-lhe alguma ajuda, seria muita sorte e chegaria na hora certa.’

‘Ao contrário’, respondeu o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Vim dizer que as relações familiares dela a tornavam inadequada para a escola e que deveria sair. Mesmo assim, se o pai realmente a abandonou sem que ela soubesse... Bounderby, deixe-me falar com você.’

English → Childers foi educadamente para o patamar e esperou, passando a mão pelo rosto e assobiando baixinho. Ouviu Bounderby dizer: ‘Não. Aconselho que não faça isso.’ Em voz mais baixa, Gradgrind respondeu: ‘Mas pense nela como um exemplo para Louisa de onde leva essa curiosidade vulgar e de como termina.’

Enquanto isso, os artistas de Sleary desceram aos poucos e se reuniram no quarto. Havia jovens, maridos, mães e muitas crianças que representavam fadas. Os homens faziam difíceis números de equilíbrio, dança, malabarismo, equitação e salto. As mulheres dançavam em cordas e montavam cavalos. Pareciam ousados e experientes, vestiam-se sem cuidado, viviam sem ordem e tinham pouca instrução. Mesmo assim, eram gentis e infantis, não gostavam de truques desonestos e estavam sempre prontos para ajudar e ter pena uns dos outros. Essas qualidades mereciam tanto respeito quanto as virtudes comuns de qualquer classe social.

O Sr. Sleary apareceu por último. Era um homem corpulento, com um olho fixo e outro inquieto. Sua voz parecia um fole quebrado, seu corpo era flácido e sua mente confusa nunca estava totalmente sóbria nem totalmente bêbada.

English → ‘Senhor’, disse o asmático Sr. Sleary, cuja respiração pesada dificultava a pronúncia da letra s. ‘Este é um caso ruim. Soube que meu palhaço e o cachorro dele parecem ter desaparecido?’

Ele falou com o Sr. Gradgrind, que respondeu: ‘Sim.’

Sleary tirou o chapéu e esfregou o forro com o lenço que guardava dentro dele. ‘O senhor pretende fazer alguma coisa pela pobre menina?’, perguntou.

‘Terei uma proposta para ela quando voltar’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind.

‘Fico feliz em ouvir isso, senhor’, disse Sleary. ‘Não quero mandar a criança embora nem impedir seu futuro. Estou disposto a aceitá-la como aprendiz, embora ela já seja um pouco velha para começar. Minha voz é rouca e difícil para estranhos entenderem, mas anos passando do calor ao frio no picadeiro acabaram com ela.’

‘Tenho certeza de que acabariam’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind.

English → ‘O que vai beber enquanto espera, senhor? Pode ser xerez? Escolha sua bebida!’, disse o Sr. Sleary com cordialidade.

‘Nada para mim, obrigado’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind.

‘Não diga nada, senhor. O que seu amigo quer? Se ainda não comeu, tome um copo de bebida amarga.’

Josephine, filha de Sleary, era uma bonita jovem loira de dezoito anos. Apresentava-se a cavalo desde os dois anos e carregava um testamento pedindo que dois pôneis malhados puxassem seu carro funerário. Ela gritou: ‘Pai, fique quieto! Sissy voltou!’ Sissy entrou correndo, viu todos reunidos e o pai ausente, e começou a chorar terrivelmente. Refugiou-se nos braços de Emma Gordon, uma equilibrista grávida, que se ajoelhou para consolá-la e chorou com ela.

‘É uma vergonha terrível, de verdade’, disse Sleary.

English → ‘Meu querido e bondoso pai, aonde foi? Sei que foi tentar me ajudar! Foi embora por minha causa! Como ficará infeliz e desamparado sem mim até voltar!’ Ela dizia essas coisas com o rosto erguido e os braços estendidos, como se tentasse deter e abraçar a sombra dele que desaparecia. Era tão doloroso que ninguém falou até o impaciente Sr. Bounderby assumir o controle.

Bounderby disse: ‘Boa gente, isto é uma completa perda de tempo. Façam a menina entender os fatos. Ela pode ouvi-los de mim, pois também fui abandonado. Menina, seu pai fugiu e a abandonou. Não espere vê-lo novamente enquanto viver.’

Essas pessoas davam tão pouca importância aos fatos simples que as palavras de Bounderby não as impressionaram. Em vez disso, ficaram muito zangadas. Os homens murmuraram: ‘Que vergonha!’, e as mulheres disseram: ‘Bruto!’ Sleary logo deu um conselho particular a Bounderby.

English → Sleary disse: ‘Vou falar com clareza, senhor. É melhor parar e não dizer mais nada. Meu pessoal é muito bondoso, mas se move depressa. Se ignorar meu conselho, acredito que vão jogá-lo pela janela.’

Esse aviso gentil silenciou o Sr. Bounderby e deu ao Sr. Gradgrind a oportunidade de apresentar sua visão prática do assunto.

‘Não importa se esse homem poderá voltar algum dia ou não’, disse Gradgrind. ‘Ele foi embora e, no momento, ninguém espera que volte. Creio que todos concordam com isso.’

‘Isso está acertado, senhor. Fique nesse ponto!’, disse Sleary.

Gradgrind continuou: ‘Vim dizer ao pai de Jupe que ela não poderia mais frequentar a escola, pois temos objeções a aceitar filhos de gente do circo. Mas a situação mudou, então me ofereço para cuidar de você, Jupe, educá-la e sustentá-la. Além de se comportar bem, deve decidir agora se vem comigo ou fica aqui. Se vier, não poderá mais ter contato com nenhum dos amigos presentes.’

English → Sleary disse: ‘Também preciso falar para que ela ouça as duas opções. Cecilia, se quiser tornar-se aprendiz, conhece o trabalho e seus companheiros. Emma Gordon seria uma mãe para você, e Josephine, uma irmã. Não sou nenhum anjo e, se falhasse num número, eu poderia ficar zangado e praguejar. Mas nunca fiz mal a um cavalo além de xingá-lo, e na minha idade não começarei a tratar uma amazona de modo diferente. Já disse o que precisava dizer.’

O fim do discurso de Sleary foi dirigido ao Sr. Gradgrind, que assentiu com seriedade e depois falou.

‘Jupe, direi apenas uma coisa para influenciar sua escolha. Uma educação prática e sólida é muito desejável e, pelo que ouvi, até seu pai entendia isso e queria o mesmo para você.’

As últimas palavras dele claramente a afetaram. Ela parou de chorar desesperadamente, afastou-se um pouco de Emma Gordon e olhou diretamente para Gradgrind. Todos perceberam a mudança e respiraram fundo, como se dissessem: ‘Ela vai!’

English → O Sr. Gradgrind advertiu-a: ‘Tenha certeza de que sabe o que quer, Jupe. Não direi mais nada. Esteja certa de sua decisão.’

Depois de um minuto de silêncio, a menina voltou a chorar. ‘Quando meu pai voltar, como vai me encontrar se eu for embora?’

O Sr. Gradgrind resolveu calmamente o problema como uma conta matemática. ‘Não precisa se preocupar com isso, Jupe. Nesse caso, seu pai teria de procurar o Sr. - ’

‘Sleary. Esse é meu nome, senhor. Não tenho vergonha dele. Sou conhecido em toda a Inglaterra e sempre pago minhas dívidas.’

‘Seu pai procuraria o Sr. Sleary, que lhe diria para onde você foi. Eu não poderia mantê-la contra a vontade dele, e ele poderia encontrar facilmente o Sr. Thomas Gradgrind de Coketown a qualquer momento. Sou bem conhecido.’

‘Bem conhecido’, concordou Sleary, girando o olho inquieto. ‘O senhor é o tipo de cavalheiro que mantém muito dinheiro longe de nossos espetáculos. Mas isso não importa agora.’

English → Depois de outro silêncio, Sissy cobriu o rosto e gritou: ‘Ah, deem-me minhas roupas e deixem-me partir antes que meu coração se parta!’

As mulheres reuniram com tristeza as poucas roupas dela e as colocaram numa cesta que viajara muitas vezes com o grupo. Sissy ficou sentada no chão, chorando e cobrindo os olhos. Gradgrind e Bounderby esperavam perto da porta para levá-la. Sleary ficou no meio, com os homens ao redor, exatamente como permanecia no picadeiro durante o número de Josephine. Faltava apenas o chicote.

Quando a cesta ficou pronta, as mulheres trouxeram o chapéu de Sissy, alisaram seus cabelos desarrumados e o colocaram nela. Reuniram-se ao redor, beijaram-na e abraçaram-na, e trouxeram as crianças para se despedirem. Eram mulheres simples e tolas, mas de coração muito bondoso.

‘Agora, Jupe’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Se está totalmente decidida, venha!’

English → Mas Sissy ainda precisava despedir-se dos homens. Cada artista abriu os braços cruzados e a beijou, exceto Kidderminster. Ele era naturalmente pouco amistoso, já esperara casar-se com ela e se afastou de mau humor. Sleary veio por último. Abriu os braços, segurou as duas mãos dela e normalmente a teria erguido para cima e para baixo, como um mestre de equitação cumprimenta uma artista. Mas Sissy não reagiu e apenas ficou chorando.

‘Adeus, minha querida’, disse Sleary. ‘Espero que faça fortuna, e prometo que nenhum de nós, pobres artistas, vai incomodá-la. Queria que seu pai não tivesse levado o cachorro, pois é inconveniente tirar o animal dos anúncios. Mas o cachorro não se apresentaria sem o dono, então não faz diferença.’

Sleary olhou atentamente para Sissy com o olho fixo e para sua companhia com o olho inquieto. Depois a beijou, balançou a cabeça e a entregou ao Sr. Gradgrind como se ela fosse um cavalo.

English → “Aí está ela, senhor”, disse Sleary, examinando-a com olhar profissional. “Ela lhe fará justiça. Adeus, Cecilia!”

“Adeus, Cecilia!” “Adeus, Sissy!” “Deus a abençoe, querida!”, disseram muitas vozes pela sala.

Sleary notou o frasco dos nove óleos dentro do vestido dela. “Deixe-o, querida. É grande e não terá utilidade agora. Dê-o a mim.”

“Não!”, exclamou ela entre novas lágrimas. “Por favor, deixe-me guardá-lo para papai até que volte. Ele vai precisar. Não planejava partir quando me mandou comprá-lo.”

“Que assim seja, querida”, disse Sleary. “Cumpra o acordo, obedeça ao cavalheiro e esqueça-nos. Mas, quando crescer e estiver bem, não julgue com dureza os artistas do circo. Ajude-os se puder. As pessoas precisam se divertir; não podem trabalhar ou estudar o tempo todo. Veja o melhor em nós, não o pior. Essa é minha filosofia.”

Sleary continuou explicando sua filosofia enquanto desciam. Logo seu olho imóvel e seu olho inquieto perderam de vista as três pessoas e a cesta na rua escura.

CAPÍTULO VII Sra. Sparsit

English → Como o Sr. Bounderby era solteiro, uma senhora mais velha administrava sua casa por um salário anual. Chamava-se Sra. Sparsit. Bounderby exibia-a com orgulho ao seu lado, embora sempre afirmasse ser humilde.

A Sra. Sparsit vivera melhor no passado e vinha de uma família importante. Sua tia-avó era Lady Scadgers, e o falecido marido pertencia, pelo lado materno, à antiga família Powler. Os Powlers tinham uma longa história, embora muitas vezes perdessem dinheiro com cavalos, jogos, empréstimos e dívidas.

Lady Scadgers organizou o casamento entre o jovem Sr. Sparsit e sua parente mais velha. Ele herdou dinheiro, mas já o gastara antecipadamente. Morreu aos vinte e quatro anos em Calais por causa da aguardente, deixando pobre a esposa de quem vivia separado. Depois de brigar com Lady Scadgers, a viúva aceitou trabalho remunerado. Agora, mais velha e ainda orgulhosa, a Sra. Sparsit preparava o chá do café da manhã de Bounderby.

Bounderby exibia a Sra. Sparsit como um conquistador mostrando uma princesa capturada. Rebaixava suas próprias origens e elogiava as dela. Descrevia a juventude dela como totalmente privilegiada e depois se gabava de que agora administrava a casa de Josiah Bounderby por cem libras anuais.

English → Bounderby repetia essa história tantas vezes que outros também começaram a repeti-la. Ele não apenas elogiava a si mesmo, mas fazia outros homens elogiá-lo. Nos jantares de Coketown, desconhecidos o descreviam como o símbolo perfeito da Inglaterra e de todos os seus direitos e tradições. Esses discursos muitas vezes terminavam com os versos:

“Príncipes e lordes podem crescer ou desaparecer; um sopro pode criá-los, assim como um sopro os criou.”

Quando um orador usava esses versos, todos entendiam que ele ouvira falar da Sra. Sparsit.

“Sr. Bounderby”, disse a Sra. Sparsit, “o senhor está tomando o café da manhã de modo incomumente lento hoje.”

“Estou pensando na estranha ideia de Tom Gradgrind de criar a menina do circo”, respondeu Bounderby. Ele sempre chamava o amigo de Tom para parecer independente.

“A menina espera saber se deve ir diretamente para a escola ou para Stone Lodge”, disse a Sra. Sparsit.

“Ela deve esperar até que eu saiba”, respondeu Bounderby. “Gradgrind deve chegar logo. Se quiser que ela fique aqui mais um ou dois dias, poderá ficar.”

English → “É claro que pode, se o senhor quiser, Sr. Bounderby.”

“Dei-lhe uma cama simples aqui ontem à noite para que Gradgrind pudesse pensar antes de deixá-la conviver com Louisa.”

“É mesmo, Sr. Bounderby? Que consideração!” O nariz orgulhoso da Sra. Sparsit se abriu levemente, e suas sobrancelhas negras se contraíram enquanto bebia o chá.

“Parece-me claro”, disse Bounderby, “que a menina pouco ganhará com tal companhia.”

“O senhor está falando da jovem Srta. Gradgrind, Sr. Bounderby?”

“Sim, quero dizer Louisa.”

“O senhor disse apenas ‘a menina’”, explicou a Sra. Sparsit. “Como há duas meninas, não sabia a qual se referia.”

“Louisa”, repetiu o Sr. Bounderby. “Louisa, Louisa.”

“O senhor é como outro pai para Louisa.” A Sra. Sparsit bebeu mais chá. Suas sobrancelhas escuras e o rosto severo faziam-na parecer invocar deuses sombrios.

“A senhora estaria mais perto da verdade se dissesse que sou outro pai para o jovem Tom. Vou levá-lo para meu escritório e mantê-lo sob minha proteção.”

English → “É mesmo? Ele não é bastante jovem, senhor?” O “senhor” formal da Sra. Sparsit exigia respeito para ela própria mais do que honrava Bounderby.

“Não imediatamente. Primeiro ele precisa terminar de receber educação à força”, disse Bounderby. Gabou-se de que, na idade de Tom, sua própria mente não tinha instrução alguma. Disse à Sra. Sparsit que a infância rica dela na Ópera Italiana tornava impossível compreender os artistas do circo ou a pobreza que ele vivera.

“Certamente conheci a Ópera Italiana desde muito pequena”, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit com triste dignidade.

“Eu também - mas pelo lado de fora”, disse Bounderby. “A calçada de lá era uma cama dura. Pessoas como a senhora, criadas sobre plumas macias, não conseguem entender isso. Eu deveria falar-lhe apenas de bailarinas ricas, da Londres elegante, de lordes e damas.”

“Espero que isso não seja necessário”, respondeu pacientemente a Sra. Sparsit. “Creio ter me adaptado às mudanças da vida. Não mereço elogios por apreciar suas histórias instrutivas, pois todos parecem compartilhar esse sentimento.”

English → “Talvez as pessoas gostem de ouvir, em seu jeito rude, o que Josiah Bounderby sofreu”, disse ele. “Mas a senhora deve admitir que nasceu no luxo.”

“Não nego, senhor”, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit, balançando a cabeça.

Bounderby precisou se levantar e ficar de costas para o fogo enquanto a olhava. O nascimento nobre dela fazia a posição atual dele parecer ainda maior.

“E a senhora pertencia à mais alta sociedade”, disse ele, aquecendo as pernas.

“É verdade, senhor”, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit com uma falsa humildade muito diferente da dele.

“A senhora viveu entre as pessoas mais elegantes e tudo o mais”, disse Bounderby.

“Sim, senhor. Isso é certamente verdade”, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit com a tristeza de quem perdera sua posição social.

Bounderby dobrou os joelhos e abraçou as pernas de satisfação, rindo alto. Quando anunciaram o Sr. Gradgrind e Louisa, ele apertou a mão do pai e beijou a filha.

English → “Pode mandar chamar Jupe, Bounderby?”, perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind.

Mandaram chamar Jupe. Ela fez reverência a Bounderby, Gradgrind e Louisa, mas, nervosa, esqueceu a Sra. Sparsit. Bounderby percebeu e falou em voz alta:

“Escute, menina. A senhora ao lado do bule é a Sra. Sparsit, dona desta casa e mulher de família importante. Sempre que entrar aqui, deverá tratá-la com o maior respeito. Não me importa como trata a mim, pois não afirmo ser importante e vim das pessoas mais humildes. Mas respeitará essa senhora ou não voltará.”

“Espero”, disse calmamente o Sr. Gradgrind, “que ela apenas tenha se esquecido por acidente.”

“Meu amigo sugere que foi apenas um acidente, Sra. Sparsit”, disse Bounderby. “Provavelmente foi. Mas a senhora sabe que não permito erros no respeito que lhe é devido.”

“O senhor é muito bondoso”, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit com humildade orgulhosa. “Não vale a pena falar disso.”

Sissy estivera se desculpando em voz baixa, com lágrimas nos olhos. Bounderby então a mandou até Gradgrind. Ela o observou atentamente, enquanto Louisa permanecia friamente ao lado, olhando para o chão. Ele começou:

Front Matter

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por Charles Dickens

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by Charles Dickens

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Por CHARLES DICKENS

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By CHARLES DICKENS

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Por CHARLES DICKENS

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_Com ilustrações de Marcus Stone, Maurice Greiffenhagen e F. Walker_

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_With illustrations by Marcus Stone_, _Maurice_ _Greiffenhagen_, _and F. Walker_

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_Com ilustrações de Marcus Stone_, _Maurice_ _Greiffenhagen_ _e F. Walker_

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LONDRES: CHAPMAN & HALL, LTD. NOVA YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

Original English Version

LONDON: CHAPMAN & HALL, LD. NEW YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS

Tradução Integral em Português

LONDRES: CHAPMAN & HALL, LD. NOVA YORK: CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS

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Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

1905

Original English Version

1905

Tradução Integral em Português

1905

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

SUMÁRIO

_LIVRO PRIMEIRO: SEMEADURA_ - Capítulos I - XVI. _LIVRO SEGUNDO: COLHEITA_ - Capítulos I - XII. _LIVRO TERCEIRO: ARMAZENAMENTO_ - Capítulos I - IX.

LISTA DE ILUSTRAÇÕES

_Stephen e Rachael no quarto do doente_; _O Sr. Harthouse jantando na casa dos Bounderby_; _O Sr. Harthouse e Tom Gradgrind no jardim_; _Stephen Blackpool retirado do velho poço Hell_

Original English Version

CONTENTS

_BOOK THE FIRST_. _SOWING_ PAGE CHAPTER I _The One Thing Needful_ 3 CHAPTER II _Murdering the Innocents_ 4 CHAPTER III _A Loophole_ 8 CHAPTER IV _Mr. Bounderby_ 12 CHAPTER V _The Keynote_ 18 CHAPTER VI _Sleary’s Horsemanship_ 23 CHAPTER VII _Mrs. Sparsit_ 33 CHAPTER VIII _Never Wonder_ 38 CHAPTER IX _Sissy’s Progress_ 43 CHAPTER X _Stephen Blackpool_ 49 CHAPTER XI _No Way Out_ 53 CHAPTER XII _The Old Woman_ 59 CHAPTER XIII _Rachael_ 63 CHAPTER XIV _The Great Manufacturer_ 69 CHAPTER XV _Father and Daughter_ 73 CHAPTER XVI _Husband and Wife_ 79 _BOOK THE SECOND_. _REAPING_ CHAPTER I _Effects in the Bank_ 84 CHAPTER II _Mr. James Harthouse_ 94 CHAPTER III _The Whelp_ 101 CHAPTER IV _Men and Brothers_ 111 CHAPTER V _Men and Masters_ 105 CHAPTER VI _Fading Away_ 116 CHAPTER VII _Gunpowder_ 126 CHAPTER VIII _Explosion_ 136 CHAPTER IX _Hearing the Last of it_ 146 CHAPTER X _Mrs. Sparsit’s Staircase_ 152 CHAPTER XI _Lower and Lower_ 156 CHAPTER XII _Down_ 163 _BOOK THE THIRD_. _GARNERING_ CHAPTER I _Another Thing Needful_ 167 CHAPTER II _Very Ridiculous_ 172 CHAPTER III _Very Decided_ 179 CHAPTER IV _Lost_ 186 CHAPTER V _Found_ 193 CHAPTER VI _The Starlight_ 200 CHAPTER VII _Whelp-Hunting_ 208 CHAPTER VIII _Philosophical_ 216 CHAPTER IX _Final_ 222

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE _Stephen and Rachael in the Sick-room_ 64 _Mr. Harthouse Dining at the Bounderbys’_ 100 _Mr. Harthouse and Tom Gradgrind in the Garden_ 132 _Stephen Blackpool recovered from the Old Hell Shaft_ 206

Tradução Integral em Português

SUMÁRIO

_LIVRO PRIMEIRO_. _SEMEADURA_ PÁGINA CAPÍTULO I _A Única Coisa Necessária_ 3 CAPÍTULO II _Matando os Inocentes_ 4 CAPÍTULO III _Uma Brecha_ 8 CAPÍTULO IV _Sr. Bounderby_ 12 CAPÍTULO V _A Nota Dominante_ 18 CAPÍTULO VI _A Equitação de Sleary_ 23 CAPÍTULO VII _Sra. Sparsit_ 33 CAPÍTULO VIII _Nunca se Pergunte_ 38 CAPÍTULO IX _O Progresso de Sissy_ 43 CAPÍTULO X _Stephen Blackpool_ 49 CAPÍTULO XI _Sem Saída_ 53 CAPÍTULO XII _A Velha_ 59 CAPÍTULO XIII _Rachael_ 63 CAPÍTULO XIV _O Grande Industrial_ 69 CAPÍTULO XV _Pai e Filha_ 73 CAPÍTULO XVI _Marido e Mulher_ 79 _LIVRO SEGUNDO_. _CEIFA_ CAPÍTULO I _Efeitos no Banco_ 84 CAPÍTULO II _Sr. James Harthouse_ 94 CAPÍTULO III _O Cachorrinho_ 101 CAPÍTULO IV _Homens e Irmãos_ 111 CAPÍTULO V _Homens e Patrões_ 105 CAPÍTULO VI _Desvanecendo_ 116 CAPÍTULO VII _Pólvora_ 126 CAPÍTULO VIII _Explosão_ 136 CAPÍTULO IX _Ouvindo Falar Disso pela Última Vez_ 146 CAPÍTULO X _A Escadaria da Sra. Sparsit_ 152 CAPÍTULO XI _Cada Vez Mais Baixo_ 156 CAPÍTULO XII _Embaixo_ 163 _LIVRO TERCEIRO_. _COLHEITA_ CAPÍTULO I _Outra Coisa Necessária_ 167 CAPÍTULO II _Muito Ridículo_ 172 CAPÍTULO III _Muito Decidido_ 179 CAPÍTULO IV _Perdido_ 186 CAPÍTULO V _Encontrado_ 193 CAPÍTULO VI _A Luz das Estrelas_ 200 CAPÍTULO VII _Caça ao Cachorrinho_ 208 CAPÍTULO VIII _Filosófico_ 216 CAPÍTULO IX _Final_ 222

LISTA DE ILUSTRAÇÕES

PÁGINA _Stephen e Rachael no Quarto do Doente_ 64 _Sr. Harthouse Jantando na Casa dos Bounderby_ 100 _Sr. Harthouse e Tom Gradgrind no Jardim_ 132 _Stephen Blackpool resgatado do Velho Poço do Inferno_ 206

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CHAPTER I The One Thing Needful

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“O que eu quero são Fatos. Ensine a esses meninos e meninas apenas Fatos. Somente os Fatos são úteis na vida. É assim que educo meus filhos e estes alunos. Atenha-se aos Fatos, senhor!”

A sala de aula era simples, vazia e monótona. O homem enfatizava cada frase com o dedo quadrado. A testa larga, a boca dura, a voz seca e autoritária e o cabelo espetado faziam-no parecer severo. O casaco, as pernas e os ombros quadrados, além da gravata apertada, também pareciam expressar sua crença obstinada em fatos concretos.

“Nesta vida, não queremos nada além de Fatos, senhor - nada além de Fatos!”

O homem, o professor e outro adulto recuaram. Olharam para as fileiras de crianças como se os alunos fossem pequenos recipientes esperando ser cheios de fatos até a borda.

Original English Version

‘NOW, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alone are wanted in life. Plant nothing else, and root out everything else. You can only form the minds of reasoning animals upon Facts: nothing else will ever be of any service to them. This is the principle on which I bring up my own children, and this is the principle on which I bring up these children. Stick to Facts, sir!’

The scene was a plain, bare, monotonous vault of a school-room, and the speaker’s square forefinger emphasized his observations by underscoring every sentence with a line on the schoolmaster’s sleeve. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s square wall of a forehead, which had his eyebrows for its base, while his eyes found commodious cellarage in two dark caves, overshadowed by the wall. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s mouth, which was wide, thin, and hard set. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s voice, which was inflexible, dry, and dictatorial. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s hair, which bristled on the skirts of his bald head, a plantation of firs to keep the wind from its shining surface, all covered with knobs, like the crust of a plum pie, as if the head had scarcely warehouse-room for the hard facts stored inside. The speaker’s obstinate carriage, square coat, square legs, square shoulders, - nay, his very neckcloth, trained to take him by the throat with an unaccommodating grasp, like a stubborn fact, as it was, - all helped the emphasis.

‘In this life, we want nothing but Facts, sir; nothing but Facts!’

The speaker, and the schoolmaster, and the third grown person present, all backed a little, and swept with their eyes the inclined plane of little vessels then and there arranged in order, ready to have imperial gallons of facts poured into them until they were full to the brim.

Tradução Integral em Português

‘ORA, o que eu quero são Fatos. Ensine a estes meninos e meninas nada além de Fatos. Somente os Fatos são necessários na vida. Não plante mais nada e arranque tudo o mais pela raiz. Só se pode formar a mente de animais racionais com base em Fatos: nada mais jamais lhes terá qualquer serventia. Esse é o princípio segundo o qual educo meus próprios filhos, e esse é o princípio segundo o qual educo estas crianças. Atenha-se aos Fatos, senhor!’

O cenário era a abóbada simples, nua e monótona de uma sala de aula, e o indicador quadrado do orador enfatizava suas observações sublinhando cada frase com uma linha sobre a manga do professor. A ênfase era reforçada pela muralha quadrada que era a testa do orador, tendo as sobrancelhas por base, enquanto os olhos encontravam amplo espaço de porão em duas cavernas escuras, ensombradas pela muralha. A ênfase era reforçada pela boca do orador, larga, fina e rigidamente cerrada. A ênfase era reforçada pela voz do orador, inflexível, seca e ditatorial. A ênfase era reforçada pelos cabelos do orador, eriçados nas orlas da cabeça calva, uma plantação de abetos destinada a proteger do vento sua superfície lustrosa, toda coberta de protuberâncias, como a crosta de uma torta de ameixas, como se a cabeça mal tivesse espaço de armazém para os fatos duros guardados lá dentro. O porte obstinado do orador, o casaco quadrado, as pernas quadradas, os ombros quadrados - e até mesmo a gravata, adestrada a agarrá-lo pela garganta com um aperto intransigente, como o fato teimoso que era - , tudo reforçava a ênfase.

‘Nesta vida, não queremos nada além de Fatos, senhor; nada além de Fatos!’

O orador, o professor e a terceira pessoa adulta presente recuaram um pouco e percorreram com os olhos o plano inclinado de pequenos recipientes ali dispostos em ordem, prontos para que neles fossem despejados galões imperiais de fatos até ficarem cheios à borda.

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CHAPTER II Murdering the Innocents

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Thomas Gradgrind era um homem de fatos e cálculos. Acreditava que dois mais dois eram quatro e não aceitava nada além disso. Com réguas, balanças e tabuadas, sentia-se pronto para medir qualquer parte da natureza humana. Para ele, tudo era apenas uma questão de números.

Era assim que o Sr. Gradgrind sempre se apresentava em pensamento, tanto em particular quanto em público. Agora ele se apresentava da mesma maneira às crianças, que esperavam ser preenchidas com fatos.

Enquanto seus olhos brilhavam para os alunos, ele parecia um canhão cheio de fatos, pronto para expulsar deles a infância. Também parecia uma máquina feita para substituir a jovem imaginação das crianças por algo frio e mecânico.

“Menina número vinte”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, apontando com firmeza. “Não conheço essa menina. Quem é ela?”

“Sissy Jupe, senhor”, respondeu a número vinte. Ela corou, levantou-se e fez uma reverência.

“Sissy não é um nome adequado”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. “Não se chame de Sissy. Chame-se Cecilia.”

Original English Version

THOMAS GRADGRIND, sir. A man of realities. A man of facts and calculations. A man who proceeds upon the principle that two and two are four, and nothing over, and who is not to be talked into allowing for anything over. Thomas Gradgrind, sir - peremptorily Thomas - Thomas Gradgrind. With a rule and a pair of scales, and the multiplication table always in his pocket, sir, ready to weigh and measure any parcel of human nature, and tell you exactly what it comes to. It is a mere question of figures, a case of simple arithmetic. You might hope to get some other nonsensical belief into the head of George Gradgrind, or Augustus Gradgrind, or John Gradgrind, or Joseph Gradgrind (all supposititious, non-existent persons), but into the head of Thomas Gradgrind - no, sir!

In such terms Mr. Gradgrind always mentally introduced himself, whether to his private circle of acquaintance, or to the public in general. In such terms, no doubt, substituting the words ‘boys and girls,’ for ‘sir,’ Thomas Gradgrind now presented Thomas Gradgrind to the little pitchers before him, who were to be filled so full of facts.

Indeed, as he eagerly sparkled at them from the cellarage before mentioned, he seemed a kind of cannon loaded to the muzzle with facts, and prepared to blow them clean out of the regions of childhood at one discharge. He seemed a galvanizing apparatus, too, charged with a grim mechanical substitute for the tender young imaginations that were to be stormed away.

‘Girl number twenty,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, squarely pointing with his square forefinger, ‘I don’t know that girl. Who is that girl?’

‘Sissy Jupe, sir,’ explained number twenty, blushing, standing up, and curtseying.

‘Sissy is not a name,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Don’t call yourself Sissy. Call yourself Cecilia.’

Tradução Integral em Português

THOMAS GRADGRIND, senhor. Um homem de realidades. Um homem de fatos e cálculos. Um homem que procede segundo o princípio de que dois mais dois são quatro, e nada além, e a quem conversa alguma convencerá a admitir qualquer coisa além. Thomas Gradgrind, senhor - peremptoriamente Thomas - Thomas Gradgrind. Com uma régua, um par de balanças e a tabuada sempre no bolso, senhor, pronto para pesar e medir qualquer porção da natureza humana e dizer-lhe exatamente a quanto monta. É mera questão de números, um caso de aritmética simples. Talvez se pudesse esperar incutir alguma outra crença disparatada na cabeça de George Gradgrind, ou Augustus Gradgrind, ou John Gradgrind, ou Joseph Gradgrind (todos personagens supostos, inexistentes), mas na cabeça de Thomas Gradgrind - não, senhor!

Era nesses termos que o Sr. Gradgrind sempre se apresentava mentalmente, fosse ao seu círculo particular de conhecidos, fosse ao público em geral. Nesses termos, sem dúvida substituindo ‘senhor’ por ‘meninos e meninas’, Thomas Gradgrind apresentava agora Thomas Gradgrind às pequenas jarras diante dele, que deveriam ser enchidas de fatos até transbordar.

Com efeito, ao lançar-lhes ávidos lampejos do espaço de porão já mencionado, ele parecia uma espécie de canhão carregado até a boca de fatos e preparado para, com um só disparo, expulsá-las de vez das regiões da infância. Parecia também um aparelho galvânico, carregado com um sombrio substituto mecânico para as tenras imaginações juvenis que seriam varridas de assalto.

‘Menina número vinte’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, apontando com seu indicador quadrado, quadradamente, ‘não conheço essa menina. Quem é essa menina?’

‘Sissy Jupe, senhor’, explicou a número vinte, corando, levantando-se e fazendo uma mesura.

‘Sissy não é nome’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Não se chame Sissy. Chame-se Cecilia.’

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Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“Meu pai me chama de Sissy, senhor”, respondeu a menina com voz trêmula, fazendo outra reverência.

“Então ele não deveria”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. “Diga-lhe que pare. Cecilia Jupe, o que seu pai faz?”

“Ele trabalha com os cavaleiros do circo, senhor.”

O Sr. Gradgrind franziu a testa e afastou com a mão aquela profissão que considerava inaceitável.

“Não queremos ouvir falar disso aqui. Seu pai treina cavalos, não é?”

“Sim, senhor. Quando conseguem cavalos para treinar, eles os treinam no picadeiro.”

“Não mencione o picadeiro aqui. Chame seu pai de treinador de cavalos. Suponho que ele também trate cavalos doentes?”

“Ah, sim, senhor.”

“Muito bem. Ele é veterinário, ferrador e treinador de cavalos. Agora defina um cavalo.”

(Essa pergunta assustou muito Sissy Jupe.)

“A menina número vinte não consegue definir um cavalo!”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind à turma. “Ela não conhece nenhum fato sobre um dos animais mais comuns! Que um menino o defina. Bitzer, dê sua resposta.”

Original English Version

‘It’s father as calls me Sissy, sir,’ returned the young girl in a trembling voice, and with another curtsey.

‘Then he has no business to do it,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Tell him he mustn’t. Cecilia Jupe. Let me see. What is your father?’

‘He belongs to the horse-riding, if you please, sir.’

Mr. Gradgrind frowned, and waved off the objectionable calling with his hand.

‘We don’t want to know anything about that, here. You mustn’t tell us about that, here. Your father breaks horses, don’t he?’

‘If you please, sir, when they can get any to break, they do break horses in the ring, sir.’

‘You mustn’t tell us about the ring, here. Very well, then. Describe your father as a horsebreaker. He doctors sick horses, I dare say?’

‘Oh yes, sir.’

‘Very well, then. He is a veterinary surgeon, a farrier, and horsebreaker. Give me your definition of a horse.’

(Sissy Jupe thrown into the greatest alarm by this demand.)

‘Girl number twenty unable to define a horse!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, for the general behoof of all the little pitchers. ‘Girl number twenty possessed of no facts, in reference to one of the commonest of animals! Some boy’s definition of a horse. Bitzer, yours.’

Tradução Integral em Português

‘É meu pai que me chama de Sissy, senhor’, respondeu a menina com voz trêmula e outra mesura.

‘Então ele não tem o direito de fazer isso’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Diga-lhe que não deve. Cecilia Jupe. Vejamos. O que é seu pai?’

‘Ele pertence ao pessoal da equitação, por favor, senhor.’

O Sr. Gradgrind franziu a testa e afastou com um gesto a profissão censurável.

‘Não queremos saber nada disso aqui. Você não deve nos falar disso aqui. Seu pai doma cavalos, não é?’

‘Por favor, senhor, quando conseguem algum para domar, eles domam cavalos no picadeiro, senhor.’

‘Você não deve nos falar do picadeiro aqui. Muito bem, então. Descreva seu pai como domador de cavalos. Imagino que ele trate de cavalos doentes?’

‘Ah, sim, senhor.’

‘Muito bem, então. Ele é veterinário, ferrador e domador de cavalos. Dê-me sua definição de cavalo.’

(Sissy Jupe lançada no maior dos alarmes por essa exigência.)

‘A menina número vinte é incapaz de definir um cavalo!’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, para proveito geral de todas as jarrinhas. ‘A menina número vinte não possui fatos referentes a um dos mais comuns dentre os animais! A definição de cavalo de algum menino. Bitzer, a sua.’

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Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

O dedo que apontava parou em Bitzer. Sissy e Bitzer estavam sentados em lados opostos de um raio de sol. O sol tornava mais intensos os olhos e cabelos escuros de Sissy, mas parecia retirar a pouca cor que Bitzer possuía. Seus olhos eram pálidos e frios, o cabelo curto e cor de areia, e a pele tão branca que parecia que ele sangraria branco.

“Bitzer”, disse Thomas Gradgrind. “Defina um cavalo.”

“Um animal de quatro patas que come capim. Tem quarenta dentes. Perde a pelagem na primavera e, às vezes, os cascos em regiões úmidas. Seus cascos duros precisam de ferraduras, e sua idade pode ser conhecida pelas marcas na boca.” Essa foi a resposta factual de Bitzer.

“Agora, menina número vinte”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, “você sabe o que é um cavalo.”

Sissy fez outra reverência, ainda muito corada. Bitzer piscou depressa para o Sr. Gradgrind; a luz em seus cílios fazia com que parecessem antenas de inseto. Depois tocou a testa sardenta com os nós dos dedos e se sentou.

Original English Version

The square finger, moving here and there, lighted suddenly on Bitzer, perhaps because he chanced to sit in the same ray of sunlight which, darting in at one of the bare windows of the intensely white-washed room, irradiated Sissy. For, the boys and girls sat on the face of the inclined plane in two compact bodies, divided up the centre by a narrow interval; and Sissy, being at the corner of a row on the sunny side, came in for the beginning of a sunbeam, of which Bitzer, being at the corner of a row on the other side, a few rows in advance, caught the end. But, whereas the girl was so dark-eyed and dark-haired, that she seemed to receive a deeper and more lustrous colour from the sun, when it shone upon her, the boy was so light-eyed and light-haired that the self-same rays appeared to draw out of him what little colour he ever possessed. His cold eyes would hardly have been eyes, but for the short ends of lashes which, by bringing them into immediate contrast with something paler than themselves, expressed their form. His short-cropped hair might have been a mere continuation of the sandy freckles on his forehead and face. His skin was so unwholesomely deficient in the natural tinge, that he looked as though, if he were cut, he would bleed white.

‘Bitzer,’ said Thomas Gradgrind. ‘Your definition of a horse.’

‘Quadruped. Graminivorous. Forty teeth, namely twenty-four grinders, four eye-teeth, and twelve incisive. Sheds coat in the spring; in marshy countries, sheds hoofs, too. Hoofs hard, but requiring to be shod with iron. Age known by marks in mouth.’ Thus (and much more) Bitzer.

‘Now girl number twenty,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘You know what a horse is.’

She curtseyed again, and would have blushed deeper, if she could have blushed deeper than she had blushed all this time. Bitzer, after rapidly blinking at Thomas Gradgrind with both eyes at once, and so catching the light upon his quivering ends of lashes that they looked like the antennæ of busy insects, put his knuckles to his freckled forehead, and sat down again.

Tradução Integral em Português

O dedo quadrado, movendo-se de um lado para outro, pousou subitamente em Bitzer, talvez porque ele estivesse sentado por acaso no mesmo raio de sol que, entrando por uma das janelas nuas da sala intensamente caiada, iluminava Sissy. Pois os meninos e as meninas sentavam-se na superfície do plano inclinado, em dois grupos compactos, separados ao centro por um estreito intervalo; e Sissy, na ponta de uma fileira do lado ensolarado, recebia o começo de um raio de sol, cuja extremidade Bitzer, na ponta de uma fileira do outro lado, algumas fileiras adiante, apanhava. Mas, enquanto a menina tinha olhos e cabelos tão escuros que parecia receber do sol, quando este brilhava sobre ela, uma cor mais profunda e lustrosa, o menino tinha olhos e cabelos tão claros que aqueles mesmos raios pareciam extrair dele o pouco de cor que algum dia possuíra. Seus olhos frios mal teriam sido olhos, não fossem as curtas pontas dos cílios que, pondo-os em contraste imediato com algo mais pálido que eles próprios, delineavam sua forma. Seus cabelos cortados rente poderiam ser mera continuação das sardas cor de areia na testa e no rosto. Sua pele carecia de modo tão malsadio do matiz natural que ele parecia, caso fosse cortado, sangrar branco.

‘Bitzer’, disse Thomas Gradgrind. ‘Sua definição de cavalo.’

‘Quadrúpede. Gramívoro. Quarenta dentes, a saber, vinte e quatro molares, quatro caninos e doze incisivos. Troca a pelagem na primavera; em países pantanosos, troca também os cascos. Cascos duros, mas que precisam ser ferrados. Idade conhecida pelas marcas na boca.’ Assim falou (e disse muito mais) Bitzer.

‘Agora, menina número vinte’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Você sabe o que é um cavalo.’

Ela fez outra mesura e teria corado ainda mais se pudesse corar mais do que estivera corando durante todo esse tempo. Bitzer, depois de piscar rapidamente para Thomas Gradgrind com os dois olhos ao mesmo tempo, captando assim a luz nas pontas trêmulas dos cílios, que pareceram antenas de insetos atarefados, levou os nós dos dedos à testa sardenta e tornou a sentar-se.

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Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

O terceiro homem avançou. Era um poderoso funcionário do governo que sempre tinha um sistema para impor a todos. Como um boxeador treinado, estava pronto para atacar qualquer assunto e derrotar o bom senso. Suas ordens vinham de altas autoridades que sonhavam com um mundo governado por comissários.

“Muito bem”, disse o homem com um sorriso rápido. “Isso é um cavalo. Agora me digam, meninos e meninas: vocês colocariam figuras de cavalos no papel de parede de uma sala?”

Depois de uma pausa, metade das crianças gritou: “Sim, senhor!” A outra metade percebeu pelo rosto do homem que essa resposta estava errada e gritou: “Não, senhor!” Isso acontecia com frequência em provas assim.

“Claro que não. Por que vocês não fariam isso?”

Houve outra pausa. Um menino corpulento e lento, que respirava com dificuldade, sugeriu que pintaria a sala em vez de usar papel de parede.

“Você deve usar papel de parede”, disse o homem, um tanto irritado.

Original English Version

The third gentleman now stepped forth. A mighty man at cutting and drying, he was; a government officer; in his way (and in most other people’s too), a professed pugilist; always in training, always with a system to force down the general throat like a bolus, always to be heard of at the bar of his little Public-office, ready to fight all England. To continue in fistic phraseology, he had a genius for coming up to the scratch, wherever and whatever it was, and proving himself an ugly customer. He would go in and damage any subject whatever with his right, follow up with his left, stop, exchange, counter, bore his opponent (he always fought All England) to the ropes, and fall upon him neatly. He was certain to knock the wind out of common sense, and render that unlucky adversary deaf to the call of time. And he had it in charge from high authority to bring about the great public-office Millennium, when Commissioners should reign upon earth.

‘Very well,’ said this gentleman, briskly smiling, and folding his arms. ‘That’s a horse. Now, let me ask you girls and boys, Would you paper a room with representations of horses?’

After a pause, one half of the children cried in chorus, ‘Yes, sir!’ Upon which the other half, seeing in the gentleman’s face that Yes was wrong, cried out in chorus, ‘No, sir!’ - as the custom is, in these examinations.

‘Of course, No. Why wouldn’t you?’

A pause. One corpulent slow boy, with a wheezy manner of breathing, ventured the answer, Because he wouldn’t paper a room at all, but would paint it.

‘You _must_ paper it,’ said the gentleman, rather warmly.

Tradução Integral em Português

O terceiro cavalheiro avançou então. Era um homem formidável em matéria de fórmulas prontas; um funcionário do governo; a seu modo (e também no caminho da maioria das pessoas), um pugilista declarado; sempre em treinamento, sempre com um sistema para enfiar pela goela geral como um bolo medicinal, sempre em audiência no tribunal de sua repartiçãozinha pública, pronto para lutar contra toda a Inglaterra. Prosseguindo na fraseologia pugilística, tinha o dom de apresentar-se à linha de combate, onde e fosse qual fosse ela, e mostrar-se um adversário dos mais duros. Atacava qualquer assunto com a direita e o danificava, seguia com a esquerda, bloqueava, trocava golpes, contra-atacava, acuava o adversário (lutava sempre contra Toda a Inglaterra) nas cordas e se lançava habilmente sobre ele. Era certo que tiraria o fôlego do bom senso e deixaria esse infeliz adversário surdo ao toque do gongo. E fora incumbido pelas altas autoridades de instaurar o grande Milênio das repartições públicas, quando os Comissários reinariam sobre a terra.

‘Muito bem’, disse esse cavalheiro, sorrindo vivamente e cruzando os braços. ‘Isso é um cavalo. Agora, permitam-me perguntar-lhes, meninas e meninos: vocês forrariam uma sala com papel de parede estampado com cavalos?’

Após uma pausa, metade das crianças exclamou em coro: ‘Sim, senhor!’ Diante disso, a outra metade, vendo no rosto do cavalheiro que Sim estava errado, exclamou em coro: ‘Não, senhor!’ - como é costume nesses exames.

‘Claro que Não. Por que não fariam isso?’

Uma pausa. Um menino corpulento e lento, que respirava com um chiado, arriscou a resposta de que não forraria sala alguma com papel, mas a pintaria.

‘Você _tem de_ forrá-la com papel’, disse o cavalheiro, um tanto exaltado.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“Você deve usar papel de parede”, disse Thomas Gradgrind. “Não importa se gosta ou não. Não nos diga que não o usaria. O que você quer dizer, menino?”

“Vou explicar por que vocês não usariam papel de parede com cavalos”, disse o homem depois de outra pausa triste. “Vocês alguma vez veem cavalos de verdade andando pelas paredes das salas?”

“Sim, senhor!”, gritou uma metade. “Não, senhor!”, gritou a outra.

“Claro que não”, disse o homem, encarando os que haviam errado. “Vocês não devem mostrar nem possuir nada que não exista de fato. O que as pessoas chamam de Gosto é apenas outro nome para Fato.” Thomas Gradgrind assentiu.

“Esta é uma grande descoberta nova”, disse o homem. “Vamos tentar de novo. Se estivessem escolhendo um tapete, escolheriam um com figuras de flores?”

A essa altura, a maioria das crianças acreditava que “Não, senhor!” era sempre a resposta certa e gritou isso bem alto. Apenas algumas vozes fracas disseram sim, entre elas a de Sissy Jupe.

Original English Version

‘You must paper it,’ said Thomas Gradgrind, ‘whether you like it or not. Don’t tell _us_ you wouldn’t paper it. What do you mean, boy?’

‘I’ll explain to you, then,’ said the gentleman, after another and a dismal pause, ‘why you wouldn’t paper a room with representations of horses. Do you ever see horses walking up and down the sides of rooms in reality - in fact? Do you?’

‘Yes, sir!’ from one half. ‘No, sir!’ from the other.

‘Of course no,’ said the gentleman, with an indignant look at the wrong half. ‘Why, then, you are not to see anywhere, what you don’t see in fact; you are not to have anywhere, what you don’t have in fact. What is called Taste, is only another name for Fact.’ Thomas Gradgrind nodded his approbation.

‘This is a new principle, a discovery, a great discovery,’ said the gentleman. ‘Now, I’ll try you again. Suppose you were going to carpet a room. Would you use a carpet having a representation of flowers upon it?’

There being a general conviction by this time that ‘No, sir!’ was always the right answer to this gentleman, the chorus of NO was very strong. Only a few feeble stragglers said Yes: among them Sissy Jupe.

Tradução Integral em Português

‘Você tem de forrá-la com papel’, disse Thomas Gradgrind, ‘quer queira, quer não. Não diga a _nós_ que não a forraria. O que quer dizer, menino?’

‘Então vou explicar-lhes’, disse o cavalheiro, depois de outra e lúgubre pausa, ‘por que vocês não forrariam uma sala com papel estampado com cavalos. Na realidade - de fato - , acaso vocês veem cavalos andando de um lado para outro nas paredes das salas? Veem?’

‘Sim, senhor!’, respondeu uma metade. ‘Não, senhor!’, a outra.

‘Claro que não’, disse o cavalheiro, lançando um olhar indignado à metade errada. ‘Assim, vocês não devem ver em parte alguma o que não veem de fato; não devem ter em parte alguma o que não têm de fato. O que se chama Gosto é apenas outro nome para Fato.’ Thomas Gradgrind assentiu em aprovação.

‘Este é um novo princípio, uma descoberta, uma grande descoberta’, disse o cavalheiro. ‘Agora vou testá-los outra vez. Suponham que fossem colocar um tapete numa sala. Usariam um tapete com figuras de flores?’

Como a essa altura havia a convicção geral de que ‘Não, senhor!’ era sempre a resposta certa para aquele cavalheiro, o coro de NÃO foi muito forte. Apenas alguns poucos retardatários débeis disseram Sim: Sissy Jupe entre eles.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“Menina número vinte”, disse o homem, sorrindo com a calma confiança de quem sabe tudo.

Sissy corou e se levantou.

“Então você cobriria seu quarto - ou o quarto de seu marido, quando crescesse - com figuras de flores? Por quê?”, perguntou o homem.

“Porque adoro flores, senhor”, respondeu a menina.

“E por esse motivo você colocaria móveis sobre elas e deixaria as pessoas pisarem nelas com botas pesadas?”

“Isso não faria mal a elas, senhor. São apenas figuras, por isso não poderiam ser esmagadas nem morrer. Mostrariam algo bonito e agradável, e eu imaginaria...”

“Aí está! Você não deve imaginar”, exclamou o homem, feliz por chegar ao ponto desejado. “Essa é a regra: nunca imagine.”

“Cecilia Jupe, você não deve fazer nada desse tipo”, repetiu Thomas Gradgrind com seriedade.

“Fato, fato, fato!”, disse o homem. “Fato, fato, fato!”, repetiu Thomas Gradgrind.

Original English Version

‘Girl number twenty,’ said the gentleman, smiling in the calm strength of knowledge.

Sissy blushed, and stood up.

‘So you would carpet your room - or your husband’s room, if you were a grown woman, and had a husband - with representations of flowers, would you?’ said the gentleman. ‘Why would you?’

‘If you please, sir, I am very fond of flowers,’ returned the girl.

‘And is that why you would put tables and chairs upon them, and have people walking over them with heavy boots?’

‘It wouldn’t hurt them, sir. They wouldn’t crush and wither, if you please, sir. They would be the pictures of what was very pretty and pleasant, and I would fancy - ’

‘Ay, ay, ay! But you mustn’t fancy,’ cried the gentleman, quite elated by coming so happily to his point. ‘That’s it! You are never to fancy.’

‘You are not, Cecilia Jupe,’ Thomas Gradgrind solemnly repeated, ‘to do anything of that kind.’

‘Fact, fact, fact!’ said the gentleman. And ‘Fact, fact, fact!’ repeated Thomas Gradgrind.

Tradução Integral em Português

‘Menina número vinte’, disse o cavalheiro, sorrindo com a força serena do conhecimento.

Sissy corou e levantou-se.

‘Então você colocaria no chão de sua sala - ou da sala de seu marido, se fosse uma mulher adulta e tivesse marido - um tapete com figuras de flores, é isso?’, disse o cavalheiro. ‘Por quê?’

‘Por favor, senhor, gosto muito de flores’, respondeu a menina.

‘E é por isso que você colocaria mesas e cadeiras sobre elas e faria as pessoas pisarem nelas com botas pesadas?’

‘Isso não as machucaria, senhor. Elas não seriam esmagadas nem murchariam, por favor, senhor. Seriam imagens de uma coisa muito bonita e agradável, e eu imaginaria...’

‘Ora, ora, ora! Mas você não deve imaginar’, exclamou o cavalheiro, muito exultante por chegar com tanta felicidade ao seu argumento. ‘É isso! Você jamais deve imaginar.’

‘Você não deve, Cecilia Jupe’, repetiu Thomas Gradgrind solenemente, ‘fazer nada dessa espécie.’

‘Fato, fato, fato!’, disse o cavalheiro. E ‘Fato, fato, fato!’, repetiu Thomas Gradgrind.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“Os Fatos devem controlar tudo”, disse o homem. “Esqueçam a palavra Imaginação. Objetos úteis e decorativos devem mostrar apenas o que é verdadeiro. Não pisamos em flores, portanto os tapetes não podem mostrar flores. Pássaros e borboletas não pousam em pratos, e animais não caminham pelas paredes, portanto não devemos pintá-los ali. A decoração deve usar formas matemáticas simples e cores básicas. Isso é Fato, e isso é Gosto.”

A menina fez uma reverência e se sentou. Era muito jovem e parecia assustada com aquela visão fria e factual do mundo.

“Agora, se o Sr. M'Choakumchild der sua primeira aula, Sr. Gradgrind, terei prazer em observar seu método”, disse o homem.

O Sr. Gradgrind agradeceu. “Sr. M'Choakumchild, estamos esperando pelo senhor.”

O Sr. M'Choakumchild começou da melhor maneira que sabia. Ele e outros 140 professores haviam recebido recentemente o mesmo treinamento, semelhante ao de uma fábrica. Estudara gramática, história, geografia, ciências, matemática, música, desenho e vários idiomas. Conhecia fatos sem fim sobre o mundo. No entanto, aprendera demais: se tivesse aprendido menos, talvez pudesse ensinar mais.

Original English Version

‘You are to be in all things regulated and governed,’ said the gentleman, ‘by fact. We hope to have, before long, a board of fact, composed of commissioners of fact, who will force the people to be a people of fact, and of nothing but fact. You must discard the word Fancy altogether. You have nothing to do with it. You are not to have, in any object of use or ornament, what would be a contradiction in fact. You don’t walk upon flowers in fact; you cannot be allowed to walk upon flowers in carpets. You don’t find that foreign birds and butterflies come and perch upon your crockery; you cannot be permitted to paint foreign birds and butterflies upon your crockery. You never meet with quadrupeds going up and down walls; you must not have quadrupeds represented upon walls. You must use,’ said the gentleman, ‘for all these purposes, combinations and modifications (in primary colours) of mathematical figures which are susceptible of proof and demonstration. This is the new discovery. This is fact. This is taste.’

The girl curtseyed, and sat down. She was very young, and she looked as if she were frightened by the matter-of-fact prospect the world afforded.

‘Now, if Mr. M’Choakumchild,’ said the gentleman, ‘will proceed to give his first lesson here, Mr. Gradgrind, I shall be happy, at your request, to observe his mode of procedure.’

Mr. Gradgrind was much obliged. ‘Mr. M’Choakumchild, we only wait for you.’

So, Mr. M’Choakumchild began in his best manner. He and some one hundred and forty other schoolmasters, had been lately turned at the same time, in the same factory, on the same principles, like so many pianoforte legs. He had been put through an immense variety of paces, and had answered volumes of head-breaking questions. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and levelling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. He had worked his stony way into Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council’s Schedule B, and had taken the bloom off the higher branches of mathematics and physical science, French, German, Latin, and Greek. He knew all about all the Water Sheds of all the world (whatever they are), and all the histories of all the peoples, and all the names of all the rivers and mountains, and all the productions, manners, and customs of all the countries, and all their boundaries and bearings on the two and thirty points of the compass. Ah, rather overdone, M’Choakumchild. If he had only learnt a little less, how infinitely better he might have taught much more!

Tradução Integral em Português

‘Em todas as coisas, vocês devem ser regulados e governados’, disse o cavalheiro, ‘pelos fatos. Esperamos ter, dentro em breve, uma junta de fatos, composta de comissários de fatos, que obrigará o povo a ser um povo de fatos, e nada além de fatos. Vocês devem descartar por completo a palavra Imaginação. Não têm nada que ver com ela. Não devem ter, em nenhum objeto de uso ou ornamento, nada que constitua uma contradição de fato. De fato, vocês não caminham sobre flores; não se pode permitir que caminhem sobre flores em tapetes. Não se vê que pássaros e borboletas estrangeiros venham pousar em suas louças; não se pode permitir que pintem pássaros e borboletas estrangeiros em suas louças. Nunca se encontram quadrúpedes subindo e descendo paredes; não devem ter quadrúpedes representados nas paredes. Vocês devem usar’, disse o cavalheiro, ‘para todos esses fins, combinações e modificações (em cores primárias) de figuras matemáticas passíveis de prova e demonstração. Esta é a nova descoberta. Isto é fato. Isto é gosto.’

A menina fez uma mesura e sentou-se. Era muito jovem e parecia assustada com a perspectiva prosaica que o mundo oferecia.

‘Agora, se o Sr. M’Choakumchild’, disse o cavalheiro, ‘quiser prosseguir e dar aqui sua primeira aula, Sr. Gradgrind, terei prazer, a seu pedido, em observar seu método.’

O Sr. Gradgrind agradeceu muito. ‘Sr. M’Choakumchild, só esperamos pelo senhor.’

Assim, o Sr. M’Choakumchild começou da melhor maneira que sabia. Ele e cerca de cento e quarenta outros professores haviam sido recentemente torneados ao mesmo tempo, na mesma fábrica e segundo os mesmos princípios, como outras tantas pernas de piano. Tinham-no feito passar por uma imensa variedade de exercícios, e ele respondera a volumes de perguntas de rachar a cabeça. Ortografia, etimologia, sintaxe e prosódia; biografia, astronomia, geografia e cosmografia geral; as ciências da proporção composta, álgebra, agrimensura e nivelamento; música vocal e desenho de modelos: tudo estava nas pontas de seus dez dedos enregelados. Ele havia talhado seu caminho pedregoso até a Lista B do Mui Honorável Conselho Privado de Sua Majestade e retirara o viço dos ramos superiores da matemática e das ciências físicas, do francês, do alemão, do latim e do grego. Sabia tudo a respeito de todos os Divisores de Águas do mundo inteiro (fossem lá o que fossem), e todas as histórias de todos os povos, e todos os nomes de todos os rios e montanhas, e todos os produtos, modos e costumes de todos os países, e todas as suas fronteiras e orientações nos trinta e dois pontos da rosa dos ventos. Ah, um tanto exagerado, M’Choakumchild. Se ao menos tivesse aprendido um pouco menos, quão infinitamente melhor poderia ter ensinado muito mais!

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Nessa primeira aula, ele examinou as crianças uma por uma, como Morgiana verificando os jarros em _Os Quarenta Ladrões_. Mas, ao encher cada criança com sua reserva fervente de fatos, ele mataria por completo o ladrão escondido chamado Imaginação - ou apenas o feriria e deformaria?

Original English Version

He went to work in this preparatory lesson, not unlike Morgiana in the Forty Thieves: looking into all the vessels ranged before him, one after another, to see what they contained. Say, good M’Choakumchild. When from thy boiling store, thou shalt fill each jar brim full by-and-by, dost thou think that thou wilt always kill outright the robber Fancy lurking within - or sometimes only maim him and distort him!

Tradução Integral em Português

Ele pôs mãos à obra nessa aula preparatória, não muito diferente de Morgiana em _Os Quarenta Ladrões_: examinando, um após outro, todos os recipientes alinhados diante dele, para ver o que continham. Dize, bom M’Choakumchild. Quando, dentro em pouco, encheres cada jarro até a borda com teu estoque fervente, julgas que sempre matarás de uma vez o ladrão Imaginação que se oculta lá dentro - ou às vezes apenas o mutilarás e deformarás?

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

CHAPTER III A Loophole

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

O Sr. Gradgrind voltou da escola para casa muito satisfeito. A escola era dele, e ele queria que fosse um modelo. Cada aluno deveria ser exemplar, assim como seus próprios filhos.

Havia cinco jovens Gradgrind, e todos eram considerados modelos. Desde muito pequenos, ouviam lições sem fim. Quase assim que aprenderam a andar, foram mandados para a sala de aula. Sua primeira lembrança parecia ser um grande quadro-negro e uma figura seca e assustadora escrevendo números brancos nele.

É claro que nada sabiam sobre monstros imaginários - os Fatos não permitiam isso. Uso a palavra apenas para descrever um professor de muitas cabeças que capturava a infância e a arrastava para cavernas escuras de estatísticas.

Nenhuma criança Gradgrind imaginara um rosto na Lua nem cantara “Brilha, Brilha, Estrelinha”. Aos cinco anos, todas já conheciam fatos científicos sobre as estrelas. Nunca ouviram histórias infantis sobre vacas famosas. Uma vaca lhes fora apresentada apenas como um animal de quatro patas, que come capim e tem vários estômagos.

Original English Version

MR. GRADGRIND walked homeward from the school, in a state of considerable satisfaction. It was his school, and he intended it to be a model. He intended every child in it to be a model - just as the young Gradgrinds were all models.

There were five young Gradgrinds, and they were models every one. They had been lectured at, from their tenderest years; coursed, like little hares. Almost as soon as they could run alone, they had been made to run to the lecture-room. The first object with which they had an association, or of which they had a remembrance, was a large black board with a dry Ogre chalking ghastly white figures on it.

Not that they knew, by name or nature, anything about an Ogre Fact forbid! I only use the word to express a monster in a lecturing castle, with Heaven knows how many heads manipulated into one, taking childhood captive, and dragging it into gloomy statistical dens by the hair.

No little Gradgrind had ever seen a face in the moon; it was up in the moon before it could speak distinctly. No little Gradgrind had ever learnt the silly jingle, Twinkle, twinkle, little star; how I wonder what you are! No little Gradgrind had ever known wonder on the subject, each little Gradgrind having at five years old dissected the Great Bear like a Professor Owen, and driven Charles’s Wain like a locomotive engine-driver. No little Gradgrind had ever associated a cow in a field with that famous cow with the crumpled horn who tossed the dog who worried the cat who killed the rat who ate the malt, or with that yet more famous cow who swallowed Tom Thumb: it had never heard of those celebrities, and had only been introduced to a cow as a graminivorous ruminating quadruped with several stomachs.

Tradução Integral em Português

O SR. GRADGRIND caminhava da escola para casa num estado de considerável satisfação. Era a escola dele, e ele pretendia que fosse um modelo. Pretendia que cada criança nela fosse um modelo - assim como todos os jovens Gradgrind eram modelos.

Havia cinco jovens Gradgrind, e todos eram modelos. Desde os mais tenros anos, haviam sido alvo de preleções; perseguidos como lebres pequenas. Mal conseguiam correr sozinhos, já eram obrigados a correr para a sala de conferências. O primeiro objeto com que tiveram qualquer associação, ou de que guardaram lembrança, foi um grande quadro-negro onde um Ogro seco escrevia com giz algarismos brancos e medonhos.

Não que soubessem, pelo nome ou pela natureza, coisa alguma a respeito de um Ogro - os Fatos não o permitiriam! Só emprego a palavra para exprimir um monstro num castelo de preleções, com sabe Deus quantas cabeças manipuladas numa só, que aprisiona a infância e a arrasta pelos cabelos para sombrias cavernas estatísticas.

Nenhum pequeno Gradgrind jamais vira um rosto na lua; ele já estava na lua antes de conseguir falar com clareza. Nenhum pequeno Gradgrind jamais aprendera a cantilena tola, Brilha, brilha, estrelinha; como eu queria saber o que és! Nenhum pequeno Gradgrind jamais conhecera o assombro a esse respeito, pois, aos cinco anos, cada pequeno Gradgrind já havia dissecado a Ursa Maior como um Professor Owen e conduzido a Carruagem de Carlos como um maquinista de locomotiva. Nenhum pequeno Gradgrind jamais associara uma vaca no campo àquela famosa vaca de chifre retorcido que lançou pelos ares o cão que perseguiu o gato que matou o rato que comeu o malte, nem àquela vaca ainda mais famosa que engoliu o Pequeno Polegar: jamais ouvira falar dessas celebridades, e só fora apresentado à vaca como um quadrúpede gramívoro e ruminante, dotado de vários estômagos.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

O Sr. Gradgrind caminhou em direção à sua casa prática, Stone Lodge. Deixara o comércio de ferragens antes de construí-la e agora esperava entrar para o Parlamento. Stone Lodge ficava em uma área aberta, a pouca distância da grande cidade industrial de Coketown.

Stone Lodge era extremamente regular e não escondia sua natureza simples. Era uma grande casa quadrada, com uma entrada pesada que escurecia as janelas principais, assim como as sobrancelhas do dono sombreavam seus olhos. Cada janela, ala, gramado e jardim fora contado e disposto em linhas retas. Havia gás, ventilação, esgoto, água, proteção contra incêndio e elevadores mecânicos de excelente qualidade - tudo o que um coração prático poderia desejar.

Tudo? Talvez. As crianças Gradgrind também possuíam pequenas coleções de conchas, metais e minerais. Cada objeto estava cuidadosamente organizado e etiquetado. Mas, se essas crianças ainda queriam algo mais, o que poderia ser?

O pai continuou caminhando, esperançoso e satisfeito. Amava os filhos à sua maneira, mas teria se definido como um pai “extremamente prático”. Orgulhava-se dessa expressão. Nas reuniões públicas de Coketown, alguém sempre descrevia Gradgrind como extremamente prático, e o elogio lhe agradava.

Original English Version

To his matter-of-fact home, which was called Stone Lodge, Mr. Gradgrind directed his steps. He had virtually retired from the wholesale hardware trade before he built Stone Lodge, and was now looking about for a suitable opportunity of making an arithmetical figure in Parliament. Stone Lodge was situated on a moor within a mile or two of a great town - called Coketown in the present faithful guide-book.

A very regular feature on the face of the country, Stone Lodge was. Not the least disguise toned down or shaded off that uncompromising fact in the landscape. A great square house, with a heavy portico darkening the principal windows, as its master’s heavy brows overshadowed his eyes. A calculated, cast up, balanced, and proved house. Six windows on this side of the door, six on that side; a total of twelve in this wing, a total of twelve in the other wing; four-and-twenty carried over to the back wings. A lawn and garden and an infant avenue, all ruled straight like a botanical account-book. Gas and ventilation, drainage and water-service, all of the primest quality. Iron clamps and girders, fire-proof from top to bottom; mechanical lifts for the housemaids, with all their brushes and brooms; everything that heart could desire.

Everything? Well, I suppose so. The little Gradgrinds had cabinets in various departments of science too. They had a little conchological cabinet, and a little metallurgical cabinet, and a little mineralogical cabinet; and the specimens were all arranged and labelled, and the bits of stone and ore looked as though they might have been broken from the parent substances by those tremendously hard instruments their own names; and, to paraphrase the idle legend of Peter Piper, who had never found his way into their nursery, If the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped at more than this, what was it for good gracious goodness’ sake, that the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped it!

Their father walked on in a hopeful and satisfied frame of mind. He was an affectionate father, after his manner; but he would probably have described himself (if he had been put, like Sissy Jupe, upon a definition) as ‘an eminently practical’ father. He had a particular pride in the phrase eminently practical, which was considered to have a special application to him. Whatsoever the public meeting held in Coketown, and whatsoever the subject of such meeting, some Coketowner was sure to seize the occasion of alluding to his eminently practical friend Gradgrind. This always pleased the eminently practical friend. He knew it to be his due, but his due was acceptable.

Tradução Integral em Português

O Sr. Gradgrind dirigiu os passos para seu lar dos fatos, que se chamava Stone Lodge. Antes de construir Stone Lodge, ele praticamente se retirara do comércio atacadista de ferragens e agora procurava uma oportunidade adequada de tornar-se um algarismo no Parlamento. Stone Lodge situava-se numa charneca, a uma ou duas milhas de uma cidade grande - chamada Coketown no presente guia fiel.

Stone Lodge era uma feição muito regular na face do país. Nem o mais leve disfarce atenuava ou sombreava aquele fato intransigente na paisagem. Uma grande casa quadrada, com um pórtico pesado que escurecia as janelas principais, assim como as pesadas sobrancelhas de seu dono ensombravam-lhe os olhos. Uma casa calculada, somada, equilibrada e provada. Seis janelas de um lado da porta, seis do outro; total de doze nesta ala, total de doze na outra; vinte e quatro transportadas para as alas dos fundos. Um gramado, um jardim e uma avenida ainda infante, todos pautados em linha reta como um livro-caixa botânico. Gás e ventilação, esgoto e abastecimento de água, tudo da mais fina qualidade. Braçadeiras e vigas de ferro, à prova de fogo do alto a baixo; elevadores mecânicos para as criadas, com todas as suas escovas e vassouras; tudo que o coração pudesse desejar.

Tudo? Bem, suponho que sim. Os pequenos Gradgrind tinham também gabinetes de vários ramos da ciência. Tinham um pequeno gabinete conquiológico, um pequeno gabinete metalúrgico e um pequeno gabinete mineralógico; e todos os espécimes estavam dispostos e etiquetados, e os pedacinhos de pedra e minério pareciam ter sido arrancados das substâncias-mães por aqueles instrumentos tremendamente duros que eram seus próprios nomes; e, para parafrasear a ociosa lenda de Peter Piper, que jamais encontrara o caminho até o quarto das crianças, Se os gananciosos Gradgrind agarravam mais que isso, pelo amor da santa bondade, para que os gananciosos Gradgrind o agarravam?

O pai seguiu adiante com o espírito esperançoso e satisfeito. Era um pai afetuoso, à sua maneira; mas provavelmente teria descrito a si mesmo (se, como Sissy Jupe, lhe houvessem pedido uma definição) como um pai ‘eminentemente prático’. Orgulhava-se particularmente da expressão eminentemente prático, que se considerava ter aplicação especial a ele. Qualquer que fosse a reunião pública realizada em Coketown, e qualquer que fosse o tema dessa reunião, algum cidadão de Coketown certamente aproveitaria a ocasião para aludir a seu amigo Gradgrind, eminentemente prático. Isso sempre agradava ao amigo eminentemente prático. Sabia que era o que lhe cabia, mas o que lhe cabia era bem-vindo.

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Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Na área degradada nos limites da cidade, Gradgrind ouviu a música alta de um espetáculo itinerante de cavalos instalado em um prédio de madeira. Uma bandeira anunciava “Equitação de Sleary”. Sleary recebia o dinheiro, e cartazes prometiam o elegante número equestre da Srta. Josephine Sleary. Signor Jupe mostraria seu cão treinado Merrylegs, realizaria incríveis provas de força, contaria piadas e terminaria com uma peça engraçada chamada _A Viagem do Alfaiate a Brentford_.

Naturalmente, Thomas Gradgrind ignorou aquela diversão tola e seguiu em frente como um homem prático. Mas a estrada passava por trás do espetáculo, onde várias crianças tentavam olhar para dentro às escondidas.

Ele parou. “Vejam só esses vagabundos”, disse, “atraindo jovens arruaceiros para longe de uma escola modelo.”

Uma faixa de capim ralo e lixo o separava das crianças. Ele tirou os óculos para encontrar algum aluno a quem pudesse mandar embora. Então viu algo quase inacreditável: sua própria Louisa espiava com atenção por um buraco numa tábua, enquanto o filho Thomas estava deitado no chão, tentando ver ao menos um casco da elegante amazona.

Original English Version

He had reached the neutral ground upon the outskirts of the town, which was neither town nor country, and yet was either spoiled, when his ears were invaded by the sound of music. The clashing and banging band attached to the horse-riding establishment, which had there set up its rest in a wooden pavilion, was in full bray. A flag, floating from the summit of the temple, proclaimed to mankind that it was ‘Sleary’s Horse-riding’ which claimed their suffrages. Sleary himself, a stout modern statue with a money-box at its elbow, in an ecclesiastical niche of early Gothic architecture, took the money. Miss Josephine Sleary, as some very long and very narrow strips of printed bill announced, was then inaugurating the entertainments with her graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’

Thomas Gradgrind took no heed of these trivialities of course, but passed on as a practical man ought to pass on, either brushing the noisy insects from his thoughts, or consigning them to the House of Correction. But, the turning of the road took him by the back of the booth, and at the back of the booth a number of children were congregated in a number of stealthy attitudes, striving to peep in at the hidden glories of the place.

This brought him to a stop. ‘Now, to think of these vagabonds,’ said he, ‘attracting the young rabble from a model school.’

A space of stunted grass and dry rubbish being between him and the young rabble, he took his eyeglass out of his waistcoat to look for any child he knew by name, and might order off. Phenomenon almost incredible though distinctly seen, what did he then behold but his own metallurgical Louisa, peeping with all her might through a hole in a deal board, and his own mathematical Thomas abasing himself on the ground to catch but a hoof of the graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act!

Tradução Integral em Português

Ele havia chegado ao terreno neutro nos arredores da cidade, que não era cidade nem campo e, no entanto, estragava ambos, quando seus ouvidos foram invadidos pelo som da música. A estridente e barulhenta banda ligada ao estabelecimento de equitação, que ali se instalara num pavilhão de madeira, zurrava a plenos pulmões. Uma bandeira, flutuando no alto do templo, proclamava à humanidade que era a ‘Equitação de Sleary’ que pleiteava seus sufrágios. O próprio Sleary, uma corpulenta estátua moderna com uma caixa de dinheiro ao cotovelo, num nicho eclesiástico de arquitetura gótica primitiva, recebia o dinheiro. A Senhorita Josephine Sleary, conforme anunciavam umas tiras muito compridas e muito estreitas de cartaz impresso, inaugurava então os espetáculos com seu gracioso número equestre da flor tirolesa. Entre as outras maravilhas agradáveis, mas sempre estritamente morais, que era preciso ver para crer, o Signor Jupe iria naquela tarde ‘elucidar os divertidos talentos de Merrylegs, seu cão artista altamente adestrado’. Exibiria também ‘sua espantosa façanha de arremessar setenta e cinco centenas de libras em rápida sucessão, de costas, por cima da cabeça, formando assim uma fonte de ferro maciço em pleno ar, façanha jamais tentada neste ou em qualquer outro país e que, tendo provocado aplausos tão arrebatados de multidões entusiásticas, não pode ser retirada’. O mesmo Signor Jupe iria ‘animar os variados espetáculos, a intervalos frequentes, com suas castas pilhérias e réplicas shakespearianas’. Por fim, ele os encerraria aparecendo em seu papel favorito, o Sr. William Button, de Tooley Street, na ‘novíssima e hilariante hipocomedieta _A Viagem do Alfaiate a Brentford_’.

Thomas Gradgrind, naturalmente, não deu atenção a essas trivialidades, mas seguiu adiante como convinha a um homem prático, ou enxotando de seus pensamentos os insetos barulhentos, ou entregando-os à Casa de Correção. A curva da estrada, porém, levou-o aos fundos da barraca, e nos fundos da barraca várias crianças se aglomeravam em diversas atitudes furtivas, esforçando-se para espiar as glórias ocultas do lugar.

Isso o fez parar. ‘Ora, pensar que esses vagabundos’, disse ele, ‘atraem a ralé juvenil para longe de uma escola-modelo.’

Como havia entre ele e a ralé juvenil um trecho de grama raquítica e detritos secos, tirou o monóculo do bolso do colete para procurar alguma criança que conhecesse pelo nome e pudesse mandar embora. Fenômeno quase inacreditável, embora visto com nitidez: o que contemplou então senão sua própria Louisa metalúrgica, espiando com toda a força por um buraco numa tábua de pinho, e seu próprio Thomas matemático rebaixando-se ao chão para conseguir ver nem que fosse um casco do gracioso número equestre da flor tirolesa!

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Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Sem palavras de tanta surpresa, o Sr. Gradgrind atravessou o espaço, pôs a mão em cada filho culpado e disse:

“Louisa! Thomas!”

Os dois se levantaram, vermelhos e constrangidos. Louisa olhou para o pai com mais coragem que Thomas. Thomas nem sequer o encarou e deixou-se levar para casa como uma máquina.

“Em nome da curiosidade, da preguiça e da tolice”, disse o Sr. Gradgrind enquanto os levava pelas mãos, “o que vocês estão fazendo aqui?”

“Queríamos ver como era”, respondeu Louisa brevemente.

“Como era?”

“Sim, pai.”

As duas crianças pareciam cansadas e infelizes, especialmente Louisa. Mesmo assim, uma luz inquieta brilhava através de sua insatisfação. Sua imaginação estava faminta, mas de algum modo ainda vivia. Seus clarões incertos não eram a alegria natural da juventude; eram dolorosos, como a expressão de uma pessoa cega procurando um caminho.

Ela tinha agora quinze ou dezesseis anos, mas logo pareceria tornar-se mulher de uma só vez. O pai percebeu isso enquanto a observava. Ela era bonita e, segundo ele, teria sido teimosa sem a educação prática que recebera.

Original English Version

Dumb with amazement, Mr. Gradgrind crossed to the spot where his family was thus disgraced, laid his hand upon each erring child, and said:

‘Louisa!! Thomas!!’

Both rose, red and disconcerted. But, Louisa looked at her father with more boldness than Thomas did. Indeed, Thomas did not look at him, but gave himself up to be taken home like a machine.

‘In the name of wonder, idleness, and folly!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, leading each away by a hand; ‘what do you do here?’

‘Wanted to see what it was like,’ returned Louisa, shortly.

‘What it was like?’

‘Yes, father.’

There was an air of jaded sullenness in them both, and particularly in the girl: yet, struggling through the dissatisfaction of her face, there was a light with nothing to rest upon, a fire with nothing to burn, a starved imagination keeping life in itself somehow, which brightened its expression. Not with the brightness natural to cheerful youth, but with uncertain, eager, doubtful flashes, which had something painful in them, analogous to the changes on a blind face groping its way.

She was a child now, of fifteen or sixteen; but at no distant day would seem to become a woman all at once. Her father thought so as he looked at her. She was pretty. Would have been self-willed (he thought in his eminently practical way) but for her bringing-up.

Tradução Integral em Português

Mudo de assombro, o Sr. Gradgrind atravessou até o lugar onde sua família assim se desonrava, pousou a mão sobre cada um dos filhos transgressores e disse:

‘Louisa!! Thomas!!’

Ambos se levantaram, vermelhos e desconcertados. Louisa, porém, olhou para o pai com mais ousadia do que Thomas. Na verdade, Thomas nem olhou para ele, mas deixou-se levar para casa como uma máquina.

‘Em nome do assombro, da ociosidade e da insensatez!’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, conduzindo cada um pela mão; ‘o que estão fazendo aqui?’

‘Queria ver como era’, respondeu Louisa, secamente.

‘Como era?’

‘Sim, pai.’

Havia nos dois um ar de mau humor extenuado, particularmente na menina: contudo, abrindo caminho pela insatisfação de seu rosto, havia uma luz sem nada em que repousar, um fogo sem nada para queimar, uma imaginação faminta que de algum modo se mantinha viva e lhe iluminava a expressão. Não com o brilho natural da juventude alegre, mas com lampejos incertos, ávidos, hesitantes, que encerravam algo de doloroso, análogo às mudanças num rosto cego que tateia seu caminho.

Era agora uma criança de quinze ou dezesseis anos; mas não tardaria o dia em que pareceria tornar-se mulher de uma só vez. O pai assim pensou enquanto a contemplava. Era bonita. Teria sido obstinada (pensou ele, a seu modo eminentemente prático), não fosse a educação que recebera.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“Thomas, embora eu veja o fato diante de mim, acho difícil acreditar que um menino com sua educação e suas vantagens tenha trazido a irmã a um lugar como este.”

“Eu o trouxe, pai”, disse Louisa rapidamente. “Eu pedi que ele viesse.”

“Lamento muito ouvir isso. Isso não torna Thomas melhor e torna você pior, Louisa.”

Ela olhou novamente para o pai, mas nenhuma lágrima desceu por seu rosto.

“Você e Thomas têm acesso a todas as ciências. Estão cheios de fatos e foram treinados com exatidão matemática. Mesmo assim, aqui estão os dois, nesta situação vergonhosa! Estou espantado”, exclamou o Sr. Gradgrind.

“Eu estava cansada, pai. Estou cansada há muito tempo”, disse Louisa.

“Cansada? De quê?”, perguntou o pai, surpreso.

“Não sei... de tudo, eu acho.”

Original English Version

‘Thomas, though I have the fact before me, I find it difficult to believe that you, with your education and resources, should have brought your sister to a scene like this.’

‘I brought _him_, father,’ said Louisa, quickly. ‘I asked him to come.’

‘I am sorry to hear it. I am very sorry indeed to hear it. It makes Thomas no better, and it makes you worse, Louisa.’

She looked at her father again, but no tear fell down her cheek.

‘You! Thomas and you, to whom the circle of the sciences is open; Thomas and you, who may be said to be replete with facts; Thomas and you, who have been trained to mathematical exactness; Thomas and you, here!’ cried Mr. Gradgrind. ‘In this degraded position! I am amazed.’

‘I was tired, father. I have been tired a long time,’ said Louisa.

‘Tired? Of what?’ asked the astonished father.

‘I don’t know of what - of everything, I think.’

Tradução Integral em Português

‘Thomas, embora eu tenha o fato diante dos olhos, custa-me acreditar que você, com sua educação e seus recursos, tenha trazido sua irmã a um espetáculo como este.’

‘Eu trouxe _ele_, pai’, disse Louisa depressa. ‘Pedi-lhe que viesse.’

‘Lamento saber disso. Lamento muito, de fato, saber disso. Isso não torna Thomas melhor e torna você pior, Louisa.’

Ela tornou a olhar para o pai, mas nenhuma lágrima lhe desceu pela face.

‘Você! Thomas e você, para quem todo o círculo das ciências está aberto; Thomas e você, que se podem dizer repletos de fatos; Thomas e você, que foram treinados para a exatidão matemática; Thomas e você, aqui!’, exclamou o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Nesta posição degradante! Estou pasmo.’

‘Eu estava cansada, pai. Estou cansada há muito tempo’, disse Louisa.

‘Cansada? De quê?’, perguntou o pai atônito.

‘Não sei de quê... de tudo, eu acho.’

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Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Não diga mais nada - respondeu o Sr. Gradgrind. - Você está sendo infantil. Não quero ouvir mais nada. - Eles caminharam em silêncio por cerca de oitocentos metros. Então ele disse com seriedade: - O que seus melhores amigos diriam, Louisa? Você não dá valor à boa opinião deles? O que o Sr. Bounderby diria? - Ao ouvir esse nome, Louisa lançou ao pai um olhar profundo e atento. Ele não viu, pois ela baixou os olhos antes que ele olhasse para ela.

- O que o Sr. Bounderby diria? - repetiu ele pouco depois. Enquanto conduzia com indignação os dois filhos culpados de volta a Stone Lodge, continuava repetindo: - O que o Sr. Bounderby diria? - como se o Sr. Bounderby representasse toda a respeitável opinião pública.

Original English Version

‘Say not another word,’ returned Mr. Gradgrind. ‘You are childish. I will hear no more.’ He did not speak again until they had walked some half-a-mile in silence, when he gravely broke out with: ‘What would your best friends say, Louisa? Do you attach no value to their good opinion? What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ At the mention of this name, his daughter stole a look at him, remarkable for its intense and searching character. He saw nothing of it, for before he looked at her, she had again cast down her eyes!

‘What,’ he repeated presently, ‘would Mr. Bounderby say?’ All the way to Stone Lodge, as with grave indignation he led the two delinquents home, he repeated at intervals ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ - as if Mr. Bounderby had been Mrs. Grundy.

Tradução Integral em Português

- Não diga mais nenhuma palavra - retrucou o Sr. Gradgrind. - Você está sendo infantil. Não ouvirei mais nada. - Ele não tornou a falar até terem caminhado cerca de meia milha em silêncio, quando rompeu, gravemente: - O que diriam seus melhores amigos, Louisa? Você não dá valor algum à boa opinião deles? O que diria o Sr. Bounderby? - Ao ouvir esse nome, sua filha lançou-lhe furtivamente um olhar notável por sua intensidade e perscrutação. Ele nada percebeu, pois, antes que olhasse para ela, a jovem já tornara a baixar os olhos!

- O que - repetiu ele pouco depois - diria o Sr. Bounderby? - Por todo o caminho até Stone Lodge, enquanto, com grave indignação, conduzia os dois delinquentes para casa, repetia a intervalos: - O que diria o Sr. Bounderby? - como se o Sr. Bounderby fosse a própria Sra. Grundy.

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CHAPTER IV Mr. Bounderby

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Já que ele não era a Sra. Grundy, quem era o Sr. Bounderby?

O Sr. Bounderby era tão amigo íntimo do Sr. Gradgrind quanto um homem totalmente sem sentimentos poderia ser de outro. Era muito próximo - ou talvez muito distante.

Era um rico banqueiro, comerciante, fabricante e muito mais. Era um homem grande e barulhento, de olhar duro e riso metálico. Seu corpo grosseiro parecia ter sido esticado para torná-lo tão grande. A cabeça e a testa eram inchadas, as veias das têmporas saltavam e a pele apertada do rosto parecia manter os olhos e as sobrancelhas erguidos. Parecia um balão inflado, pronto para subir. Nunca parava de se gabar de ser um homem que vencera sozinho. Com sua voz alta, semelhante ao som do metal, anunciava constantemente sua antiga ignorância e pobreza. Intimidava todos com histórias de suas origens humildes.

Original English Version

NOT being Mrs. Grundy, who _was_ Mr. Bounderby?

Why, Mr. Bounderby was as near being Mr. Gradgrind’s bosom friend, as a man perfectly devoid of sentiment can approach that spiritual relationship towards another man perfectly devoid of sentiment. So near was Mr. Bounderby - or, if the reader should prefer it, so far off.

He was a rich man: banker, merchant, manufacturer, and what not. A big, loud man, with a stare, and a metallic laugh. A man made out of a coarse material, which seemed to have been stretched to make so much of him. A man with a great puffed head and forehead, swelled veins in his temples, and such a strained skin to his face that it seemed to hold his eyes open, and lift his eyebrows up. A man with a pervading appearance on him of being inflated like a balloon, and ready to start. A man who could never sufficiently vaunt himself a self-made man. A man who was always proclaiming, through that brassy speaking-trumpet of a voice of his, his old ignorance and his old poverty. A man who was the Bully of humility.

Tradução Integral em Português

NÃO sendo a Sra. Grundy, quem _era_ o Sr. Bounderby?

Ora, o Sr. Bounderby chegava tão perto de ser o amigo do peito do Sr. Gradgrind quanto um homem perfeitamente destituído de sentimento pode aproximar-se dessa relação espiritual com outro homem perfeitamente destituído de sentimento. Tão perto estava o Sr. Bounderby - ou, se o leitor preferir, tão longe.

Era um homem rico: banqueiro, comerciante, industrial e tudo o mais. Um homem grande e espalhafatoso, de olhar fixo e riso metálico. Um homem feito de matéria grosseira, que parecia ter sido esticada para render tanto dele. Um homem de cabeça e testa enormes e intumescidas, veias túrgidas nas têmporas e a pele do rosto tão retesada que parecia manter-lhe os olhos abertos e as sobrancelhas erguidas. Um homem com o aspecto geral de quem estava inflado como um balão e prestes a alçar voo. Um homem que jamais conseguia gabar-se o bastante de ser um homem que vencera por si mesmo. Um homem que estava sempre proclamando, através daquela voz de trombeta de latão, sua antiga ignorância e sua antiga pobreza. Um homem que era o Valentão da humildade.

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Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

O Sr. Bounderby era um ou dois anos mais novo que seu amigo muito prático, mas parecia mais velho. Embora tivesse quarenta e sete ou quarenta e oito anos, ninguém se surpreenderia se ele fosse sete ou oito anos mais velho. Tinha pouco cabelo. Era possível imaginar que gastara a maior parte dele de tanto falar, enquanto o restante ficava desordenadamente em pé por causa do vento de suas constantes fanfarronices.

Na sala de visitas formal de Stone Lodge, o Sr. Bounderby ficou sobre o tapete diante do fogo e falou com a Sra. Gradgrind sobre seu aniversário. Estava ali em parte porque a tarde de primavera era fresca, embora ensolarada; em parte porque a umidade parecia sempre assombrar Stone Lodge; e em parte porque aquela posição o ajudava a dominar a Sra. Gradgrind.

- Eu não tinha sapatos. Nem sequer sabia o que eram meias. Passei o dia numa vala e a noite num chiqueiro. Foi assim que passei meu décimo aniversário. Uma vala não era novidade para mim, pois nasci em uma.

Original English Version

A year or two younger than his eminently practical friend, Mr. Bounderby looked older; his seven or eight and forty might have had the seven or eight added to it again, without surprising anybody. He had not much hair. One might have fancied he had talked it off; and that what was left, all standing up in disorder, was in that condition from being constantly blown about by his windy boastfulness.

In the formal drawing-room of Stone Lodge, standing on the hearthrug, warming himself before the fire, Mr. Bounderby delivered some observations to Mrs. Gradgrind on the circumstance of its being his birthday. He stood before the fire, partly because it was a cool spring afternoon, though the sun shone; partly because the shade of Stone Lodge was always haunted by the ghost of damp mortar; partly because he thus took up a commanding position, from which to subdue Mrs. Gradgrind.

‘I hadn’t a shoe to my foot. As to a stocking, I didn’t know such a thing by name. I passed the day in a ditch, and the night in a pigsty. That’s the way I spent my tenth birthday. Not that a ditch was new to me, for I was born in a ditch.’

Tradução Integral em Português

Um ou dois anos mais moço que seu amigo eminentemente prático, o Sr. Bounderby parecia mais velho; aos seus quarenta e sete ou quarenta e oito anos bem se poderiam acrescentar outros sete ou oito, sem causar surpresa a ninguém. Não tinha muito cabelo. Poder-se-ia imaginar que o gastara de tanto falar; e que o restante, todo eriçado em desalinho, se encontrava naquele estado por ser constantemente soprado pela ventania de sua bazófia.

Na formal sala de visitas de Stone Lodge, de pé sobre o tapete da lareira, aquecendo-se diante do fogo, o Sr. Bounderby fez à Sra. Gradgrind algumas observações acerca da circunstância de ser seu aniversário. Postava-se diante do fogo em parte porque, embora o sol brilhasse, era uma tarde fresca de primavera; em parte porque a sombra de Stone Lodge vivia assombrada pelo fantasma da argamassa úmida; em parte porque assim ocupava uma posição de comando, de onde podia subjugar a Sra. Gradgrind.

- Eu não tinha um sapato nos pés. Quanto a meias, nem sabia que tal coisa existia. Passei o dia numa vala e a noite num chiqueiro. Foi assim que passei meu décimo aniversário. Não que uma vala fosse novidade para mim, pois nasci numa vala.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

A Sra. Gradgrind era uma mulher pequena, magra e pálida, de olhos rosados, envolta em xales. Era extremamente fraca de corpo e mente. Vivia tomando remédios sem resultado e, sempre que mostrava algum sinal de despertar para a vida, algum fato pesado logo a deixava atordoada. Ela disse que esperava que a vala estivesse seca.

- Não! Estava completamente molhada, com trinta centímetros de água - disse o Sr. Bounderby.

A Sra. Gradgrind achou que aquilo bastava para deixar um bebê resfriado.

- Um resfriado? Nasci com os pulmões inflamados e, acredito, com todas as outras inflamações possíveis - respondeu o Sr. Bounderby. - Durante anos, senhora, fui uma das criaturinhas mais miseráveis que alguém já viu. Eu era tão doente que vivia gemendo. Estava tão sujo e vestido com tantos trapos que a senhora não teria tocado em mim nem com uma tenaz.

A Sra. Gradgrind olhou debilmente para a tenaz, pois essa era a única reação adequada que sua mente limitada conseguia imaginar.

Original English Version

Mrs. Gradgrind, a little, thin, white, pink-eyed bundle of shawls, of surpassing feebleness, mental and bodily; who was always taking physic without any effect, and who, whenever she showed a symptom of coming to life, was invariably stunned by some weighty piece of fact tumbling on her; Mrs. Gradgrind hoped it was a dry ditch?

‘No! As wet as a sop. A foot of water in it,’ said Mr. Bounderby.

‘Enough to give a baby cold,’ Mrs. Gradgrind considered.

‘Cold? I was born with inflammation of the lungs, and of everything else, I believe, that was capable of inflammation,’ returned Mr. Bounderby. ‘For years, ma’am, I was one of the most miserable little wretches ever seen. I was so sickly, that I was always moaning and groaning. I was so ragged and dirty, that you wouldn’t have touched me with a pair of tongs.’

Mrs. Gradgrind faintly looked at the tongs, as the most appropriate thing her imbecility could think of doing.

Tradução Integral em Português

A Sra. Gradgrind, um pequeno, magro e pálido embrulho de xales, de olhos rosados e fraqueza insuperável, tanto mental quanto física; que estava sempre tomando remédios sem efeito algum e que, sempre que dava sinal de voltar à vida, era invariavelmente atordoada por algum fato de peso que lhe caía em cima; a Sra. Gradgrind esperava que tivesse sido uma vala seca?

- Não! Molhada como uma esponja. Com um palmo de água - disse o Sr. Bounderby.

- O bastante para resfriar um bebê - considerou a Sra. Gradgrind.

- Resfriar? Nasci com inflamação dos pulmões e, creio eu, de tudo o mais que pudesse inflamar - retrucou o Sr. Bounderby. - Durante anos, senhora, fui um dos mais miseráveis desgraçadinhos que já se viram. Era tão doentio que vivia gemendo e choramingando. Estava tão esfarrapado e sujo que a senhora não teria tocado em mim nem com uma tenaz.

A Sra. Gradgrind lançou um olhar débil à tenaz, por ser essa a coisa mais apropriada que sua imbecilidade conseguia pensar em fazer.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Não sei como sobrevivi - disse Bounderby. - Suponho que eu fosse determinado. Tenho sido determinado na vida adulta, então provavelmente também era naquela época. De qualquer modo, aqui estou, Sra. Gradgrind, e não tenho ninguém além de mim mesmo a quem agradecer.

A Sra. Gradgrind começou a expressar, com doçura e fraqueza, a esperança de que a mãe dele -

- Minha mãe? Ela fugiu, senhora! - disse Bounderby.

A Sra. Gradgrind ficou atordoada, como sempre. Desabou e desistiu.

- Minha mãe me deixou com minha avó - disse Bounderby. - Pelo que me lembro, minha avó era a velha mais perversa e terrível que já existiu. Se por acaso eu ganhava um par de sapatinhos, ela os tirava de mim e vendia para comprar bebida. Já vi minha avó deitada na cama beber catorze copos de álcool antes do café da manhã!

A Sra. Gradgrind sorriu fracamente, mas não mostrou nenhum outro sinal de vida. Como sempre, parecia uma imagem malfeita de uma mulher pequena, com pouca luz por trás.

Original English Version

‘How I fought through it, _I_ don’t know,’ said Bounderby. ‘I was determined, I suppose. I have been a determined character in later life, and I suppose I was then. Here I am, Mrs. Gradgrind, anyhow, and nobody to thank for my being here, but myself.’

Mrs. Gradgrind meekly and weakly hoped that his mother -

‘_My_ mother? Bolted, ma’am!’ said Bounderby.

Mrs. Gradgrind, stunned as usual, collapsed and gave it up.

‘My mother left me to my grandmother,’ said Bounderby; ‘and, according to the best of my remembrance, my grandmother was the wickedest and the worst old woman that ever lived. If I got a little pair of shoes by any chance, she would take ’em off and sell ’em for drink. Why, I have known that grandmother of mine lie in her bed and drink her four-teen glasses of liquor before breakfast!’

Mrs. Gradgrind, weakly smiling, and giving no other sign of vitality, looked (as she always did) like an indifferently executed transparency of a small female figure, without enough light behind it.

Tradução Integral em Português

- Como consegui vencer tudo isso, _eu_ não sei - disse Bounderby. - Eu era determinado, suponho. Tenho sido um sujeito determinado na vida adulta e suponho que já o fosse naquela época. De qualquer modo, aqui estou, Sra. Gradgrind, e não tenho ninguém a agradecer por estar aqui além de mim mesmo.

A Sra. Gradgrind, mansa e debilmente, esperava que a mãe dele...

- _Minha_ mãe? Fugiu, senhora! - disse Bounderby.

A Sra. Gradgrind, atordoada como de costume, desmoronou e desistiu.

- Minha mãe me deixou com minha avó - disse Bounderby - ; e, até onde alcança minha memória, minha avó foi a velha mais perversa e pior que já existiu. Se por acaso eu conseguia um parzinho de sapatos, ela os tirava de mim e os vendia para comprar bebida. Ora, vi aquela minha avó deitada na cama beber seus quatorze copos de aguardente antes do desjejum!

A Sra. Gradgrind, sorrindo debilmente e não dando nenhum outro sinal de vitalidade, parecia (como sempre) uma transparência mal executada de uma pequena figura feminina, sem luz suficiente por trás.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Ela tinha uma pequena loja - continuou Bounderby - e me mantinha numa caixa de ovos. Uma velha caixa de ovos era meu berço. Assim que fiquei grande o bastante, naturalmente fugi. Então me tornei um jovem andarilho sem lar. Em vez de uma velha me bater e me deixar passar fome, pessoas de todas as idades batiam em mim e me deixavam passar fome. Elas tinham razão. Eu era um incômodo, um peso e uma praga. Sei muito bem disso.

Ele sentia tanto orgulho de ter alcançado um dia a grande posição social de incômodo, peso e praga que repetiu a fanfarronice em voz alta três vezes.

Original English Version

‘She kept a chandler’s shop,’ pursued Bounderby, ‘and kept me in an egg-box. That was the cot of _my_ infancy; an old egg-box. As soon as I was big enough to run away, of course I ran away. Then I became a young vagabond; and instead of one old woman knocking me about and starving me, everybody of all ages knocked me about and starved me. They were right; they had no business to do anything else. I was a nuisance, an incumbrance, and a pest. I know that very well.’

His pride in having at any time of his life achieved such a great social distinction as to be a nuisance, an incumbrance, and a pest, was only to be satisfied by three sonorous repetitions of the boast.

Tradução Integral em Português

- Ela tinha uma loja de secos e molhados - prosseguiu Bounderby - e me criava numa caixa de ovos. Esse foi o berço da _minha_ infância; uma velha caixa de ovos. Assim que tive tamanho suficiente para fugir, naturalmente fugi. Tornei-me então um jovem vagabundo; e, em vez de uma velha me espancar e matar de fome, pessoas de todas as idades me espancavam e matavam de fome. Estavam certas; não lhes cabia fazer outra coisa. Eu era um estorvo, um fardo e uma peste. Sei disso muito bem.

Seu orgulho por ter, em alguma época da vida, alcançado tamanha distinção social como a de ser um estorvo, um fardo e uma peste só podia ser satisfeito por três sonoras repetições da bravata.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Suponho que eu estava destinado a sobreviver, Sra. Gradgrind. Destinado ou não, sobrevivi, embora ninguém tenha me lançado uma corda. Passei de menino sem lar a mensageiro, trabalhador, carregador, escriturário, gerente-chefe, pequeno sócio e, finalmente, Josiah Bounderby de Coketown. Essa é minha história e seu ponto mais alto. Aprendi o alfabeto nas placas das lojas e a ver as horas no relógio da Igreja de St. Giles, em Londres, ensinado por um homem com deficiência, bêbado, ladrão condenado e andarilho por toda a vida. Fale-me de suas escolas distritais, escolas-modelo e escolas de formação, e direi que são todas muito boas. Eu não tive nenhuma dessas vantagens. A educação que me formou não servirá para todos, mas foi a minha educação. Poderiam me obrigar a engolir gordura fervente, mas nunca me obrigariam a esconder os fatos da minha vida.

Empolgado com essa afirmação final, Josiah Bounderby parou de falar. Naquele exato momento, seu amigo muito prático entrou com os dois jovens infratores e também parou. Ao ver Bounderby, o Sr. Gradgrind lançou a Louisa um olhar de censura que dizia claramente: - Veja o seu Bounderby!

Original English Version

‘I was to pull through it, I suppose, Mrs. Gradgrind. Whether I was to do it or not, ma’am, I did it. I pulled through it, though nobody threw me out a rope. Vagabond, errand-boy, vagabond, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Those are the antecedents, and the culmination. Josiah Bounderby of Coketown learnt his letters from the outsides of the shops, Mrs. Gradgrind, and was first able to tell the time upon a dial-plate, from studying the steeple clock of St. Giles’s Church, London, under the direction of a drunken cripple, who was a convicted thief, and an incorrigible vagrant. Tell Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, of your district schools and your model schools, and your training schools, and your whole kettle-of-fish of schools; and Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, tells you plainly, all right, all correct - he hadn’t such advantages - but let us have hard-headed, solid-fisted people - the education that made him won’t do for everybody, he knows well - such and such his education was, however, and you may force him to swallow boiling fat, but you shall never force him to suppress the facts of his life.’

Being heated when he arrived at this climax, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown stopped. He stopped just as his eminently practical friend, still accompanied by the two young culprits, entered the room. His eminently practical friend, on seeing him, stopped also, and gave Louisa a reproachful look that plainly said, ‘Behold your Bounderby!’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Eu haveria de sair dessa, suponho, Sra. Gradgrind. Estivesse ou não destinado a fazê-lo, senhora, eu o fiz. Saí dessa, embora ninguém me tivesse lançado uma corda. Vagabundo, menino de recados, vagabundo, operário, carregador, escriturário, gerente-geral, sócio minoritário, Josiah Bounderby de Coketown. Esses são os antecedentes e a culminação. Josiah Bounderby de Coketown aprendeu as letras nas fachadas das lojas, Sra. Gradgrind, e começou a saber as horas num mostrador estudando o relógio da torre da Igreja de St. Giles, em Londres, sob a orientação de um aleijado bêbado, ladrão condenado e vadio incorrigível. Fale a Josiah Bounderby de Coketown de suas escolas distritais e escolas-modelo, de suas escolas de formação e de toda essa salada de escolas; e Josiah Bounderby de Coketown lhe dirá sem rodeios: muito bem, tudo correto - ele não teve tais vantagens - , mas deem-nos pessoas de cabeça dura e punhos firmes; a educação que o fez não servirá para todos, ele bem sabe; tal e qual foi sua educação, contudo, e podem obrigá-lo a engolir gordura fervente, mas jamais o obrigarão a omitir os fatos de sua vida.

Exaltado ao chegar a esse clímax, Josiah Bounderby de Coketown parou. Parou no exato momento em que seu amigo eminentemente prático, ainda acompanhado dos dois jovens culpados, entrou na sala. Ao vê-lo, seu amigo eminentemente prático também parou e lançou a Louisa um olhar de censura que dizia claramente: - Eis aí o seu Bounderby!

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Então! - gritou o Sr. Bounderby. - O que há de errado? Por que o jovem Thomas está tão infeliz?

Ele falou do jovem Thomas, mas olhou para Louisa.

- Estávamos olhando o circo às escondidas - murmurou Louisa com orgulho, sem levantar os olhos - , e papai nos pegou.

- Sra. Gradgrind - disse o marido com solenidade - , eu teria ficado igualmente surpreso se encontrasse nossos filhos lendo poesia.

- Meu Deus - lamentou-se a Sra. Gradgrind. - Como puderam fazer isso, Louisa e Thomas? Estou espantada com vocês. Vocês são capazes de me fazer lamentar ter tido uma família. Quase desejo nunca ter tido uma. O que vocês teriam feito então, eu gostaria de saber?

O Sr. Gradgrind não pareceu impressionado com esses argumentos aparentemente fortes. Franziu a testa com impaciência.

- Com minha cabeça doendo desse jeito, por que vocês não podiam olhar as conchas, os minerais e as outras coisas oferecidas a vocês, em vez de circos? - disse a Sra. Gradgrind. - Os jovens não têm professores de circo, não guardam circos em armários nem assistem a palestras sobre eles. Por que iriam querer saber de circos? Vocês já têm bastante para estudar. Com minha cabeça assim, eu não conseguiria lembrar nem metade dos nomes de todos os fatos que vocês precisam aprender.

Original English Version

‘Well!’ blustered Mr. Bounderby, ‘what’s the matter? What is young Thomas in the dumps about?’

He spoke of young Thomas, but he looked at Louisa.

‘We were peeping at the circus,’ muttered Louisa, haughtily, without lifting up her eyes, ‘and father caught us.’

‘And, Mrs. Gradgrind,’ said her husband in a lofty manner, ‘I should as soon have expected to find my children reading poetry.’

‘Dear me,’ whimpered Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘How can you, Louisa and Thomas! I wonder at you. I declare you’re enough to make one regret ever having had a family at all. I have a great mind to say I wish I hadn’t. _Then_ what would you have done, I should like to know?’

Mr. Gradgrind did not seem favourably impressed by these cogent remarks. He frowned impatiently.

‘As if, with my head in its present throbbing state, you couldn’t go and look at the shells and minerals and things provided for you, instead of circuses!’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘You know, as well as I do, no young people have circus masters, or keep circuses in cabinets, or attend lectures about circuses. What can you possibly want to know of circuses then? I am sure you have enough to do, if that’s what you want. With my head in its present state, I couldn’t remember the mere names of half the facts you have got to attend to.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Muito bem! - trovejou o Sr. Bounderby. - Que está acontecendo? Por que o jovem Thomas está tão abatido?

Falava do jovem Thomas, mas olhava para Louisa.

- Estávamos espiando o circo - murmurou Louisa, altivamente, sem levantar os olhos - e papai nos pegou.

- E, Sra. Gradgrind - disse o marido com altivez - , eu não ficaria mais surpreso se encontrasse meus filhos lendo poesia.

- Minha nossa - choramingou a Sra. Gradgrind. - Como podem fazer isso, Louisa e Thomas! Estou pasma com vocês. Declaro que são capazes de fazer uma pessoa lamentar ter tido família. Estou quase dizendo que gostaria de não ter tido. _Então_ o que vocês teriam feito, é o que eu gostaria de saber?

O Sr. Gradgrind não pareceu favoravelmente impressionado por essas observações convincentes. Franziu o cenho, impaciente.

- Como se, com minha cabeça latejando no estado em que está, vocês não pudessem ir olhar as conchas e os minerais e as coisas que lhes foram fornecidas, em vez de circos! - disse a Sra. Gradgrind. - Vocês sabem tão bem quanto eu que os jovens não têm mestres de circo, nem guardam circos em gabinetes, nem assistem a conferências sobre circos. Então, o que podem querer saber a respeito de circos? Tenho certeza de que já têm bastante que fazer, se é isso o que querem. Com minha cabeça no estado em que está, eu não conseguiria lembrar nem sequer os nomes de metade dos fatos aos quais vocês têm de se dedicar.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Essa é exatamente a razão! - respondeu Louisa, contrariada.

- Não me diga que essa é a razão, porque não pode ser nada disso - disse a Sra. Gradgrind. - Vão estudar alguma coisa científica imediatamente. - A Sra. Gradgrind sabia pouco sobre ciência, por isso geralmente mandava os filhos estudar com essa ordem geral e deixava que escolhessem a matéria.

Na verdade, a Sra. Gradgrind conhecia pouquíssimos fatos. O Sr. Gradgrind se casara com ela por duas razões. Primeiro, ela era uma escolha satisfatória segundo os números. Segundo, não tinha “bobagens” dentro de si. Por bobagens ele entendia imaginação, e ela provavelmente possuía tão pouca imaginação quanto uma pessoa que não fosse uma completa idiota poderia possuir.

O simples fato de ficar sozinha com o marido e o Sr. Bounderby bastava para deixar essa admirável senhora novamente atordoada, mesmo sem outro fato atingi-la. Assim, ela voltou a apagar-se, e ninguém prestou atenção.

Original English Version

‘That’s the reason!’ pouted Louisa.

‘Don’t tell me that’s the reason, because it can’t be nothing of the sort,’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘Go and be somethingological directly.’ Mrs. Gradgrind was not a scientific character, and usually dismissed her children to their studies with this general injunction to choose their pursuit.

In truth, Mrs. Gradgrind’s stock of facts in general was woefully defective; but Mr. Gradgrind in raising her to her high matrimonial position, had been influenced by two reasons. Firstly, she was most satisfactory as a question of figures; and, secondly, she had ‘no nonsense’ about her. By nonsense he meant fancy; and truly it is probable she was as free from any alloy of that nature, as any human being not arrived at the perfection of an absolute idiot, ever was.

The simple circumstance of being left alone with her husband and Mr. Bounderby, was sufficient to stun this admirable lady again without collision between herself and any other fact. So, she once more died away, and nobody minded her.

Tradução Integral em Português

- Essa é a razão! - fez beicinho Louisa.

- Não me diga que essa é a razão, porque não pode ser nada disso - disse a Sra. Gradgrind. - Vá imediatamente fazer alguma coisa-ológica. - A Sra. Gradgrind não era um espírito científico e, em geral, dispensava os filhos para os estudos com essa recomendação genérica de escolherem sua ocupação.

Na verdade, o estoque de fatos da Sra. Gradgrind em geral era lastimavelmente deficiente; mas o Sr. Gradgrind, ao elevá-la à sua alta posição matrimonial, fora influenciado por duas razões. Primeiro, ela era muito satisfatória do ponto de vista dos números; segundo, não tinha “tolices”. Por tolices ele entendia fantasia; e é realmente provável que ela fosse tão livre de qualquer liga dessa natureza quanto jamais o foi qualquer ser humano que não tivesse chegado à perfeição de um idiota absoluto.

A simples circunstância de ser deixada a sós com o marido e o Sr. Bounderby bastava para atordoar novamente essa admirável senhora, sem que ela colidisse com nenhum outro fato. Assim, tornou a desfalecer, e ninguém lhe deu atenção.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Bounderby - disse o Sr. Gradgrind, puxando uma cadeira para perto do fogo - , você sempre se interessa por meus filhos, especialmente por Louisa, por isso lhe digo livremente que essa descoberta me preocupa muito. Como sabe, dediquei-me a educar a razão de minha família. A razão é a única capacidade que a educação deve desenvolver. Contudo, o pequeno e inesperado acontecimento de hoje sugere que algo entrou na mente de Thomas e Louisa. É algo que eu nunca pretendi desenvolver e no qual a razão não participa.

- Certamente não há razão em observar com interesse um grupo de artistas sem lar - respondeu Bounderby. - Quando eu mesmo era um sem-teto, ninguém me olhava com interesse. Sei disso.

- Então precisamos perguntar - disse o pai muito prático, olhando para o fogo - : de onde vem essa curiosidade vulgar?

- Eu lhe direi. Ela vem da imaginação inútil.

- Espero que não - disse o homem prático. - Contudo, admito que tive o mesmo receio no caminho para casa.

Original English Version

‘Bounderby,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, drawing a chair to the fireside, ‘you are always so interested in my young people - particularly in Louisa - that I make no apology for saying to you, I am very much vexed by this discovery. I have systematically devoted myself (as you know) to the education of the reason of my family. The reason is (as you know) the only faculty to which education should be addressed. ‘And yet, Bounderby, it would appear from this unexpected circumstance of to-day, though in itself a trifling one, as if something had crept into Thomas’s and Louisa’s minds which is - or rather, which is not - I don’t know that I can express myself better than by saying - which has never been intended to be developed, and in which their reason has no part.’

‘There certainly is no reason in looking with interest at a parcel of vagabonds,’ returned Bounderby. ‘When I was a vagabond myself, nobody looked with any interest at _me_; I know that.’

‘Then comes the question; said the eminently practical father, with his eyes on the fire, ‘in what has this vulgar curiosity its rise?’

‘I’ll tell you in what. In idle imagination.’

‘I hope not,’ said the eminently practical; ‘I confess, however, that the misgiving _has_ crossed me on my way home.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Bounderby - disse o Sr. Gradgrind, puxando uma cadeira para junto do fogo - , você sempre se interessa tanto por meus jovens - particularmente por Louisa - que não peço desculpas por lhe dizer que estou muito aborrecido com esta descoberta. Tenho me dedicado sistematicamente (como sabe) à educação da razão de minha família. A razão é (como sabe) a única faculdade à qual a educação deve dirigir-se. E, no entanto, Bounderby, por esta inesperada ocorrência de hoje, embora insignificante em si, parece que algo se insinuou na mente de Thomas e de Louisa que é - ou antes, que não é - não sei se posso me expressar melhor do que dizendo - que jamais se pretendeu desenvolver e de que a razão deles não participa.

- Certamente não há razão alguma em olhar com interesse para um bando de vagabundos - retrucou Bounderby. - Quando eu próprio era vagabundo, ninguém olhava com interesse para _mim_; isso eu sei.

- Surge então a pergunta - disse o pai eminentemente prático, com os olhos no fogo - : de onde nasce essa curiosidade vulgar?

- Eu lhe direi de onde. Da imaginação ociosa.

- Espero que não - disse o homem eminentemente prático - ; confesso, contudo, que esse receio _me_ ocorreu no caminho para casa.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- É imaginação inútil, Gradgrind - repetiu Bounderby. - Isso é ruim para qualquer pessoa, mas especialmente terrível para uma moça como Louisa. Eu pediria desculpas à Sra. Gradgrind por minha linguagem forte, mas ela sabe que não sou um homem refinado. Quem esperar refinamento de mim ficará decepcionado. Não recebi uma educação refinada.

Gradgrind ficou pensando, com as mãos nos bolsos e os olhos fundos fixos no fogo. - Será que algum professor ou criado sugeriu alguma coisa? Será que Louisa ou Thomas estiveram lendo? Apesar de todas as precauções, será que algum livro inútil de histórias entrou em casa? A mente deles foi treinada por regras rígidas desde o nascimento, por isso isso é muito estranho e impossível de compreender.

- Espere! - gritou Bounderby. Ele ainda estava junto ao fogo, e suas declarações ruidosas sobre seu passado humilde pareciam prestes a fazer os móveis explodirem. - Um dos filhos daqueles artistas viajantes frequenta sua escola.

- O nome dela é Cecilia Jupe - disse o Sr. Gradgrind, olhando para o amigo com certo choque.

Original English Version

‘In idle imagination, Gradgrind,’ repeated Bounderby. ‘A very bad thing for anybody, but a cursed bad thing for a girl like Louisa. I should ask Mrs. Gradgrind’s pardon for strong expressions, but that she knows very well I am not a refined character. Whoever expects refinement in _me_ will be disappointed. I hadn’t a refined bringing up.’

‘Whether,’ said Gradgrind, pondering with his hands in his pockets, and his cavernous eyes on the fire, ‘whether any instructor or servant can have suggested anything? Whether Louisa or Thomas can have been reading anything? Whether, in spite of all precautions, any idle story-book can have got into the house? Because, in minds that have been practically formed by rule and line, from the cradle upwards, this is so curious, so incomprehensible.’

‘Stop a bit!’ cried Bounderby, who all this time had been standing, as before, on the hearth, bursting at the very furniture of the room with explosive humility. ‘You have one of those strollers’ children in the school.’

‘Cecilia Jupe, by name,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, with something of a stricken look at his friend.

Tradução Integral em Português

- Da imaginação ociosa, Gradgrind - repetiu Bounderby. - Uma coisa muito ruim para qualquer pessoa, mas uma coisa terrivelmente ruim para uma moça como Louisa. Eu pediria perdão à Sra. Gradgrind pelas expressões fortes, mas ela sabe muito bem que não sou um sujeito refinado. Quem esperar refinamento de _mim_ ficará desapontado. Não tive uma criação refinada.

- Será - disse Gradgrind, meditando com as mãos nos bolsos e os olhos cavernosos no fogo - , será que algum instrutor ou criado sugeriu alguma coisa? Será que Louisa ou Thomas andaram lendo alguma coisa? Será que, apesar de todas as precauções, algum frívolo livro de histórias conseguiu entrar em casa? Porque, em mentes que foram formadas de modo prático, a régua e compasso, desde o berço, isto é tão curioso, tão incompreensível.

- Espere aí! - bradou Bounderby, que durante todo esse tempo permanecera, como antes, junto à lareira, quase fazendo explodir os próprios móveis da sala com sua humildade explosiva. - Você tem na escola um dos filhos daqueles saltimbancos.

- Cecilia Jupe, de nome - disse o Sr. Gradgrind, com um olhar algo consternado para o amigo.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Agora espere! - gritou Bounderby outra vez. - Como ela entrou na escola?

- O fato é que eu mesmo vi a menina pela primeira vez apenas há um instante. Como ela normalmente não pertence à nossa cidade, veio aqui em casa pedir especialmente para ser admitida. E... sim, você tem razão, Bounderby. Tem razão.

- Agora espere! - gritou Bounderby mais uma vez. - Louisa a viu quando ela veio?

- Louisa certamente a viu, pois me contou sobre o pedido. Mas tenho certeza de que Louisa a viu na presença da Sra. Gradgrind.

- Por favor, diga-nos, Sra. Gradgrind - pediu Bounderby - , o que aconteceu?

- Ah, minha pobre saúde! - respondeu a Sra. Gradgrind. - A menina queria frequentar a escola, o Sr. Gradgrind queria que meninas a frequentassem, e Louisa e Thomas disseram que essas duas coisas eram verdade. Como eu poderia discordar se eram fatos?

- Vou lhe dizer o que fazer, Gradgrind! - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Mande essa menina embora, e isso encerrará o assunto.

Original English Version

‘Now, stop a bit!’ cried Bounderby again. ‘How did she come there?’

‘Why, the fact is, I saw the girl myself, for the first time, only just now. She specially applied here at the house to be admitted, as not regularly belonging to our town, and - yes, you are right, Bounderby, you are right.’

‘Now, stop a bit!’ cried Bounderby, once more. ‘Louisa saw her when she came?’

‘Louisa certainly did see her, for she mentioned the application to me. But Louisa saw her, I have no doubt, in Mrs. Gradgrind’s presence.’

‘Pray, Mrs. Gradgrind,’ said Bounderby, ‘what passed?’

‘Oh, my poor health!’ returned Mrs. Gradgrind. ‘The girl wanted to come to the school, and Mr. Gradgrind wanted girls to come to the school, and Louisa and Thomas both said that the girl wanted to come, and that Mr. Gradgrind wanted girls to come, and how was it possible to contradict them when such was the fact!’

‘Now I tell you what, Gradgrind!’ said Mr. Bounderby. ‘Turn this girl to the right about, and there’s an end of it.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Agora, espere aí! - tornou a bradar Bounderby. - Como foi que ela entrou lá?

- Ora, o fato é que eu mesmo só vi a menina pela primeira vez agorinha. Ela veio especialmente aqui à casa pedir para ser admitida, por não pertencer propriamente à nossa cidade, e... sim, você tem razão, Bounderby, tem razão.

- Agora, espere aí! - bradou Bounderby mais uma vez. - Louisa a viu quando ela veio?

- Louisa certamente a viu, pois me falou do pedido. Mas Louisa a viu, não tenho dúvida, na presença da Sra. Gradgrind.

- Por favor, Sra. Gradgrind - disse Bounderby - , o que aconteceu?

- Ah, minha pobre saúde! - retrucou a Sra. Gradgrind. - A menina queria vir para a escola, e o Sr. Gradgrind queria que meninas viessem para a escola, e Louisa e Thomas disseram ambos que a menina queria vir e que o Sr. Gradgrind queria que meninas viessem; e como era possível contradizê-los, se esse era o fato!

- Pois vou lhe dizer uma coisa, Gradgrind! - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Mande essa menina dar meia-volta, e o assunto estará encerrado.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Concordo em grande parte com você.

- Faça isso imediatamente - disse Bounderby. - Essa tem sido minha regra desde a infância. Quando decidi fugir de minha caixa de ovos e de minha avó, fiz isso na mesma hora. Você deve fazer o mesmo. Faça agora!

- Você vai caminhar? - perguntou o amigo. - Tenho o endereço do pai. Importa-se de ir comigo até a cidade?

- De modo algum - disse o Sr. Bounderby - , desde que você aja imediatamente!

O Sr. Bounderby atirou o chapéu na cabeça. Sempre fazia isso, como se tivesse estado ocupado demais construindo o próprio sucesso para aprender uma maneira elegante de usá-lo. Com as mãos nos bolsos, caminhou devagar até o corredor. Costumava dizer: - Nunca uso luvas. Não subi a escada do sucesso usando luvas. Não estaria tão alto agora se tivesse usado.

Original English Version

‘I am much of your opinion.’

‘Do it at once,’ said Bounderby, ‘has always been my motto from a child. When I thought I would run away from my egg-box and my grandmother, I did it at once. Do you the same. Do this at once!’

‘Are you walking?’ asked his friend. ‘I have the father’s address. Perhaps you would not mind walking to town with me?’

‘Not the least in the world,’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘as long as you do it at once!’

So, Mr. Bounderby threw on his hat - he always threw it on, as expressing a man who had been far too busily employed in making himself, to acquire any fashion of wearing his hat - and with his hands in his pockets, sauntered out into the hall. ‘I never wear gloves,’ it was his custom to say. ‘I didn’t climb up the ladder in _them_. - Shouldn’t be so high up, if I had.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Concordo plenamente com você.

- Faça imediatamente - disse Bounderby - sempre foi meu lema desde menino. Quando pensei em fugir de minha caixa de ovos e de minha avó, fiz isso imediatamente. Faça o mesmo. Faça isso imediatamente!

- Vai sair a pé? - perguntou o amigo. - Tenho o endereço do pai. Talvez não se importasse de ir comigo a pé até a cidade?

- Nem um pouco - disse o Sr. Bounderby - , contanto que o faça imediatamente!

Assim, o Sr. Bounderby atirou o chapéu à cabeça - ele sempre o atirava, como expressão de um homem que estivera ocupado demais fazendo a si próprio para adquirir qualquer maneira de usar chapéu - e, com as mãos nos bolsos, saiu sem pressa para o vestíbulo. - Nunca uso luvas - costumava dizer. - Não subi a escada usando _isso_. Não estaria tão alto se tivesse usado.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Enquanto o Sr. Gradgrind subia para buscar o endereço, Bounderby esperou no corredor por um ou dois minutos. Abriu a porta da sala de estudos e olhou para o cômodo silencioso. Apesar dos livros, armários e muitos instrumentos educativos, o lugar lembrava um pouco uma sala de cortar cabelo. Louisa apoiava-se cansada na janela, olhando para fora sem ver nada. O jovem Thomas estava junto ao fogo, fungando com raiva. Adam Smith e Malthus, dois Gradgrinds mais novos, estavam numa palestra sob supervisão. A pequena Jane cobrira o rosto com uma mistura úmida de lápis de ardósia e lágrimas e depois adormecera sobre suas frações.

- Agora está tudo bem, Louisa e jovem Thomas - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Vocês não farão isso outra vez. Garanto que seu pai encerrou o assunto. Bem, Louisa, isso merece um beijo, não merece?

- Pode dar um, Sr. Bounderby - respondeu Louisa. Depois de uma pausa fria, atravessou lentamente a sala e, sem vontade, ergueu a face em direção a ele, mantendo o rosto virado para o outro lado.

Original English Version

Being left to saunter in the hall a minute or two while Mr. Gradgrind went up-stairs for the address, he opened the door of the children’s study and looked into that serene floor-clothed apartment, which, notwithstanding its book-cases and its cabinets and its variety of learned and philosophical appliances, had much of the genial aspect of a room devoted to hair-cutting. Louisa languidly leaned upon the window looking out, without looking at anything, while young Thomas stood sniffing revengefully at the fire. Adam Smith and Malthus, two younger Gradgrinds, were out at lecture in custody; and little Jane, after manufacturing a good deal of moist pipe-clay on her face with slate-pencil and tears, had fallen asleep over vulgar fractions.

‘It’s all right now, Louisa: it’s all right, young Thomas,’ said Mr. Bounderby; ‘you won’t do so any more. I’ll answer for it’s being all over with father. Well, Louisa, that’s worth a kiss, isn’t it?’

‘You can take one, Mr. Bounderby,’ returned Louisa, when she had coldly paused, and slowly walked across the room, and ungraciously raised her cheek towards him, with her face turned away.

Tradução Integral em Português

Deixado a vagar pelo vestíbulo por um ou dois minutos enquanto o Sr. Gradgrind subia para buscar o endereço, abriu a porta da sala de estudos das crianças e espiou aquele sereno aposento de chão atapetado que, apesar das estantes, dos gabinetes e da variedade de instrumentos eruditos e filosóficos, tinha muito do aspecto cordial de uma sala destinada a cortar cabelos. Louisa apoiava-se languidamente à janela, olhando para fora sem olhar para coisa alguma, enquanto o jovem Thomas permanecia diante do fogo, fungando vingativamente. Adam Smith e Malthus, dois Gradgrinds mais novos, tinham saído sob custódia para uma conferência; e a pequena Jane, depois de fabricar no rosto uma boa quantidade de argila úmida com lápis de ardósia e lágrimas, adormecera sobre as frações ordinárias.

- Agora está tudo bem, Louisa; tudo bem, jovem Thomas - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Vocês não tornarão a fazer isso. Garanto que o assunto com seu pai está encerrado. Bem, Louisa, isso vale um beijo, não vale?

- O senhor pode pegar um, Sr. Bounderby - respondeu Louisa, depois de fazer uma fria pausa, atravessar lentamente o aposento e, sem nenhuma boa vontade, erguer-lhe a face, mantendo o rosto virado para o outro lado.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Você é sempre minha favorita, não é, Louisa? - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Adeus, Louisa!

Ele foi embora, mas ela permaneceu no mesmo lugar, esfregando com o lenço a face que ele beijara até ficar muito vermelha. Cinco minutos depois, ela ainda a esfregava.

- O que você está fazendo, Loo? - reclamou o irmão. - Vai abrir um buraco no rosto de tanto esfregar.

- Você pode cortar esse pedaço com seu canivete, se quiser, Tom. Eu não choraria!

Original English Version

‘Always my pet; ain’t you, Louisa?’ said Mr. Bounderby. ‘Good-bye, Louisa!’

He went his way, but she stood on the same spot, rubbing the cheek he had kissed, with her handkerchief, until it was burning red. She was still doing this, five minutes afterwards.

‘What are you about, Loo?’ her brother sulkily remonstrated. ‘You’ll rub a hole in your face.’

‘You may cut the piece out with your penknife if you like, Tom. I wouldn’t cry!’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Sempre minha queridinha, não é, Louisa? - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Adeus, Louisa!

Ele seguiu seu caminho, mas ela permaneceu no mesmo lugar, esfregando com o lenço a face que ele beijara, até que ficou rubra e ardente. Cinco minutos depois, ainda fazia isso.

- O que está fazendo, Lou? - protestou o irmão, mal-humorado. - Vai abrir um buraco no rosto de tanto esfregar.

- Pode cortar fora o pedaço com seu canivete, se quiser, Tom. Eu não choraria!

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

CHAPTER V The Keynote

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Coketown, para onde o Sr. Bounderby e o Sr. Gradgrind caminhavam agora, era uma vitória dos fatos. Não tinha mais imaginação do que a Sra. Gradgrind. Antes de continuarmos nossa melodia, vamos tocar a nota principal de Coketown.

Era uma cidade de tijolos vermelhos, ou de tijolos que seriam vermelhos sem a fumaça e as cinzas. Em vez disso, a cidade tinha um vermelho e preto artificiais. Era cheia de máquinas e chaminés altas que soltavam serpentes intermináveis de fumaça. Tinha um canal negro, um rio tingido de roxo por uma tinta malcheirosa e enormes edifícios cheios de janelas. Dentro deles, as máquinas faziam barulho e tremiam o dia inteiro, enquanto os pistões a vapor subiam e desciam sem parar, como a cabeça de um elefante triste e enlouquecido. Suas ruas grandes eram todas parecidas, e as pequenas eram ainda mais parecidas. Pessoas de aparência semelhante saíam e voltavam nos mesmos horários, faziam os mesmos sons nas mesmas calçadas e realizavam o mesmo trabalho. Cada dia era igual ao anterior e ao seguinte, e cada ano era igual ao que passara e ao que viria.

Original English Version

COKETOWN, to which Messrs. Bounderby and Gradgrind now walked, was a triumph of fact; it had no greater taint of fancy in it than Mrs. Gradgrind herself. Let us strike the key-note, Coketown, before pursuing our tune.

It was a town of red brick, or of brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it; but as matters stood, it was a town of unnatural red and black like the painted face of a savage. It was a town of machinery and tall chimneys, out of which interminable serpents of smoke trailed themselves for ever and ever, and never got uncoiled. It had a black canal in it, and a river that ran purple with ill-smelling dye, and vast piles of building full of windows where there was a rattling and a trembling all day long, and where the piston of the steam-engine worked monotonously up and down, like the head of an elephant in a state of melancholy madness. It contained several large streets all very like one another, and many small streets still more like one another, inhabited by people equally like one another, who all went in and out at the same hours, with the same sound upon the same pavements, to do the same work, and to whom every day was the same as yesterday and to-morrow, and every year the counterpart of the last and the next.

Tradução Integral em Português

COKETOWN, para onde os Srs. Bounderby e Gradgrind agora seguiam a pé, era um triunfo do fato; não tinha maior mácula de fantasia do que a própria Sra. Gradgrind. Façamos soar a nota fundamental, Coketown, antes de prosseguirmos com nossa melodia.

Era uma cidade de tijolos vermelhos, ou de tijolos que teriam sido vermelhos se a fumaça e as cinzas o permitissem; mas, como estavam as coisas, era uma cidade de um vermelho e negro desnaturados, como o rosto pintado de um selvagem. Era uma cidade de máquinas e altas chaminés, das quais serpentes intermináveis de fumaça se arrastavam para todo o sempre, sem jamais se desenrolarem. Tinha um canal negro e um rio que corria roxo de tintura malcheirosa, e vastos blocos de edifícios cheios de janelas, onde o dia inteiro havia estrépito e tremor, e onde o pistão da máquina a vapor trabalhava monotonamente para cima e para baixo, como a cabeça de um elefante num estado de loucura melancólica. Continha várias ruas grandes muito parecidas umas com as outras e muitas ruas pequenas ainda mais parecidas umas com as outras, habitadas por pessoas igualmente parecidas umas com as outras, que entravam e saíam todas às mesmas horas, produzindo o mesmo som sobre as mesmas calçadas, para fazer o mesmo trabalho, e para quem cada dia era igual ao de ontem e ao de amanhã, e cada ano, a cópia do anterior e do seguinte.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

A maioria dessas características de Coketown era necessária à indústria que sustentava a cidade. Em troca, ela produzia confortos usados no mundo inteiro e luxos apreciados por damas elegantes que mal suportavam ouvir falar de Coketown. Mas suas outras características tinham sido escolhidas livremente, e eram estas.

Tudo em Coketown parecia estritamente útil. Dezoito grupos religiosos haviam construído capelas, mas cada uma parecia um armazém sagrado de tijolos vermelhos, às vezes com um sino numa gaiola no topo. A única exceção era a Igreja Nova, um edifício rebocado com uma torre quadrada e quatro pontas curtas e decoradas, semelhantes a pernas de madeira. Todas as placas públicas usavam as mesmas letras rígidas em preto e branco. A prisão, o hospital e a prefeitura eram tão parecidos que qualquer um poderia ser o outro. Os fatos estavam por toda parte, tanto nas coisas quanto nas ideias. A escola de M’Choakumchild, a escola de desenho e as relações entre patrões e trabalhadores baseavam-se todas em fatos. Da maternidade ao cemitério, qualquer coisa que não pudesse ser expressa em números, comprada barato e vendida caro não existia e jamais existiria. Amém.

Original English Version

These attributes of Coketown were in the main inseparable from the work by which it was sustained; against them were to be set off, comforts of life which found their way all over the world, and elegancies of life which made, we will not ask how much of the fine lady, who could scarcely bear to hear the place mentioned. The rest of its features were voluntary, and they were these.

You saw nothing in Coketown but what was severely workful. If the members of a religious persuasion built a chapel there - as the members of eighteen religious persuasions had done - they made it a pious warehouse of red brick, with sometimes (but this is only in highly ornamental examples) a bell in a birdcage on the top of it. The solitary exception was the New Church; a stuccoed edifice with a square steeple over the door, terminating in four short pinnacles like florid wooden legs. All the public inscriptions in the town were painted alike, in severe characters of black and white. The jail might have been the infirmary, the infirmary might have been the jail, the town-hall might have been either, or both, or anything else, for anything that appeared to the contrary in the graces of their construction. Fact, fact, fact, everywhere in the material aspect of the town; fact, fact, fact, everywhere in the immaterial. The M’Choakumchild school was all fact, and the school of design was all fact, and the relations between master and man were all fact, and everything was fact between the lying-in hospital and the cemetery, and what you couldn’t state in figures, or show to be purchaseable in the cheapest market and saleable in the dearest, was not, and never should be, world without end, Amen.

Tradução Integral em Português

Esses atributos de Coketown eram, em sua maioria, inseparáveis do trabalho que a sustentava; em contrapartida, havia os confortos da vida que encontravam caminho para o mundo inteiro e as elegâncias da vida que contribuíam - não perguntaremos em que medida - para formar a dama elegante, que mal suportava ouvir mencionar o lugar. O restante de suas características era voluntário, e eram estas.

Em Coketown, nada se via que não fosse rigorosamente laborioso. Se os membros de uma crença religiosa construíam ali uma capela - como haviam feito os membros de dezoito crenças religiosas - , faziam dela um piedoso armazém de tijolos vermelhos, às vezes (mas isso apenas nos exemplares altamente ornamentados) com um sino numa gaiola no topo. A única exceção era a Igreja Nova; um edifício estucado, com uma torre quadrada sobre a porta, terminando em quatro pináculos curtos, semelhantes a pernas floreadas de madeira. Todas as inscrições públicas da cidade eram pintadas do mesmo modo, em austeros caracteres pretos e brancos. A cadeia poderia ter sido a enfermaria, a enfermaria poderia ter sido a cadeia, a prefeitura poderia ter sido uma delas, ou ambas, ou qualquer outra coisa, pois as graças de sua construção nada mostravam em contrário. Fato, fato, fato, por toda parte no aspecto material da cidade; fato, fato, fato, por toda parte no imaterial. A escola M’Choakumchild era toda fato, e a escola de desenho era toda fato, e as relações entre patrão e empregado eram todas fato, e tudo era fato entre a maternidade e o cemitério; e o que não se podia exprimir em números, nem demonstrar comprável no mercado mais barato e vendável no mais caro, não existia e jamais deveria existir, pelos séculos dos séculos, Amém.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Uma cidade tão dedicada aos fatos e tão orgulhosa disso certamente devia ter prosperado. Mas não, ela não prosperou por completo. Não? Que surpresa!

Original English Version

A town so sacred to fact, and so triumphant in its assertion, of course got on well? Why no, not quite well. No? Dear me!

Tradução Integral em Português

Uma cidade tão consagrada ao fato e tão triunfante em afirmá-lo naturalmente prosperava? Ora, não, não muito. Não? Minha nossa!

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Não. Coketown não saía de suas fornalhas tão pura quanto o ouro. Primeiro, ninguém sabia quem pertencia aos seus dezoito grupos religiosos, mas os trabalhadores claramente não pertenciam. Nas manhãs de domingo, poucos trabalhadores saíam de seus quartos apertados e das esquinas quando os sinos ásperos das igrejas tocavam. Eles observavam as pessoas indo à igreja como se a religião nada tivesse a ver com eles. Uma organização local pedia repetidamente ao Parlamento que obrigasse os trabalhadores a ser religiosos. A Sociedade da Temperança usava tabelas para reclamar que eles continuavam se embriagando e afirmava que apenas uma medalha poderia detê-los. Os farmacêuticos mostravam que, quando não bebiam, tomavam ópio. O capelão da prisão usava mais tabelas para mostrar que frequentavam lugares escondidos e pouco respeitáveis, onde ouviam canções, viam danças e talvez participassem delas. Um prisioneiro pouco confiável chegou a dizer que um lugar assim iniciara sua ruína. O Sr. Gradgrind e o Sr. Bounderby podiam oferecer ainda mais tabelas e exemplos. Tudo isso supostamente provava que os trabalhadores eram ruins, ingratos, inquietos, exigentes e sempre insatisfeitos, por mais que os outros fizessem por eles. Em resumo, a situação lembrava um antigo verso infantil:

Original English Version

No. Coketown did not come out of its own furnaces, in all respects like gold that had stood the fire. First, the perplexing mystery of the place was, Who belonged to the eighteen denominations? Because, whoever did, the labouring people did not. It was very strange to walk through the streets on a Sunday morning, and note how few of _them_ the barbarous jangling of bells that was driving the sick and nervous mad, called away from their own quarter, from their own close rooms, from the corners of their own streets, where they lounged listlessly, gazing at all the church and chapel going, as at a thing with which they had no manner of concern. Nor was it merely the stranger who noticed this, because there was a native organization in Coketown itself, whose members were to be heard of in the House of Commons every session, indignantly petitioning for acts of parliament that should make these people religious by main force. Then came the Teetotal Society, who complained that these same people _would_ get drunk, and showed in tabular statements that they did get drunk, and proved at tea parties that no inducement, human or Divine (except a medal), would induce them to forego their custom of getting drunk. Then came the chemist and druggist, with other tabular statements, showing that when they didn’t get drunk, they took opium. Then came the experienced chaplain of the jail, with more tabular statements, outdoing all the previous tabular statements, and showing that the same people _would_ resort to low haunts, hidden from the public eye, where they heard low singing and saw low dancing, and mayhap joined in it; and where A. B., aged twenty-four next birthday, and committed for eighteen months’ solitary, had himself said (not that he had ever shown himself particularly worthy of belief) his ruin began, as he was perfectly sure and confident that otherwise he would have been a tip-top moral specimen. Then came Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby, the two gentlemen at this present moment walking through Coketown, and both eminently practical, who could, on occasion, furnish more tabular statements derived from their own personal experience, and illustrated by cases they had known and seen, from which it clearly appeared - in short, it was the only clear thing in the case - that these same people were a bad lot altogether, gentlemen; that do what you would for them they were never thankful for it, gentlemen; that they were restless, gentlemen; that they never knew what they wanted; that they lived upon the best, and bought fresh butter; and insisted on Mocha coffee, and rejected all but prime parts of meat, and yet were eternally dissatisfied and unmanageable. In short, it was the moral of the old nursery fable:

Tradução Integral em Português

Não. Coketown não saía de suas próprias fornalhas, sob todos os aspectos, como ouro que resistira ao fogo. Em primeiro lugar, o desconcertante mistério do lugar era: quem pertencia às dezoito denominações? Pois, quem quer que pertencesse, os trabalhadores não pertenciam. Era muito estranho percorrer as ruas num domingo de manhã e observar quão poucos _deles_ o bárbaro repicar dos sinos, que enlouquecia os doentes e nervosos, afastava de seu próprio bairro, de seus quartos abafados, das esquinas de suas próprias ruas, onde passavam o tempo indolentemente, contemplando todo aquele ir à igreja e à capela como algo que não lhes dizia respeito de maneira alguma. E não era apenas o forasteiro que notava isso, porque havia na própria Coketown uma organização nativa, cujos membros se faziam ouvir na Câmara dos Comuns a cada sessão, solicitando indignadamente leis do Parlamento que tornassem essa gente religiosa à força. Vinha então a Sociedade da Abstinência, que se queixava de que essa mesma gente _insistia_ em embriagar-se, e mostrava em tabelas que de fato se embriagava, e provava em reuniões de chá que incentivo algum, humano ou Divino (exceto uma medalha), os induziria a abandonar o hábito de embriagar-se. Vinha então o farmacêutico, com outras tabelas, mostrando que, quando não se embriagavam, tomavam ópio. Vinha então o experiente capelão da cadeia, com mais tabelas, superando todas as tabelas anteriores e mostrando que essa mesma gente _insistia_ em frequentar antros vis, ocultos dos olhos do público, onde ouvia cantorias vis e via danças vis, e talvez delas participasse; e onde A. B., que completaria vinte e quatro anos no aniversário seguinte e fora condenado a dezoito meses de solitária, dissera ele próprio (não que jamais tivesse se mostrado particularmente digno de crédito) que ali começara sua ruína, pois tinha perfeita certeza e convicção de que, não fosse isso, teria sido um espécime moral de primeira ordem. Vinham então o Sr. Gradgrind e o Sr. Bounderby, os dois cavalheiros que neste exato momento caminhavam por Coketown, ambos eminentemente práticos, que, quando se apresentava a ocasião, podiam fornecer mais tabelas, extraídas de sua experiência pessoal e ilustradas por casos que haviam conhecido e visto, das quais se depreendia claramente - em suma, era a única coisa clara no caso - que essa mesma gente era, em conjunto, uma cambada ruim, senhores; que, fizessem o que fizessem por ela, jamais lhes agradecia, senhores; que era irrequieta, senhores; que nunca sabia o que queria; que vivia do bom e do melhor e comprava manteiga fresca; e exigia café Moca e recusava todos os cortes de carne que não fossem de primeira, e ainda assim estava eternamente insatisfeita e ingovernável. Em suma, era a moral da velha fábula infantil:

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Havia uma velha - o que vocês acham? Ela vivia apenas de comida e bebida. Comida e bebida eram tudo o que tinha, mas essa velha NUNCA estava satisfeita.

Será que o povo de Coketown era semelhante aos jovens Gradgrind? Certamente nenhuma pessoa sensata que entendesse de números afirmaria que uma importante necessidade humana dos trabalhadores vinha sendo ignorada de propósito havia muitos anos. Será que eles possuíam uma imaginação que precisava de uma expressão saudável em vez de sofrimento? Quanto mais tempo faziam um trabalho monótono e repetitivo, mais necessitavam de alívio físico: uma diversão alegre, uma dança honesta ao som de música animada, um feriado reconhecido ou algum entretenimento leve sem a interferência de M’Choakumchild. Essa necessidade precisava ser satisfeita de maneira saudável. Caso contrário, certamente encontraria uma forma prejudicial, a menos que as próprias leis da natureza mudassem.

- Esse homem mora em Pod’s End, e eu não conheço bem essa região - disse o Sr. Gradgrind. - Para que lado fica, Bounderby?

Original English Version

There was an old woman, and what do you think? She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink; Victuals and drink were the whole of her diet, And yet this old woman would NEVER be quiet.

Is it possible, I wonder, that there was any analogy between the case of the Coketown population and the case of the little Gradgrinds? Surely, none of us in our sober senses and acquainted with figures, are to be told at this time of day, that one of the foremost elements in the existence of the Coketown working-people had been for scores of years, deliberately set at nought? That there was any Fancy in them demanding to be brought into healthy existence instead of struggling on in convulsions? That exactly in the ratio as they worked long and monotonously, the craving grew within them for some physical relief - some relaxation, encouraging good humour and good spirits, and giving them a vent - some recognized holiday, though it were but for an honest dance to a stirring band of music - some occasional light pie in which even M’Choakumchild had no finger - which craving must and would be satisfied aright, or must and would inevitably go wrong, until the laws of the Creation were repealed?

‘This man lives at Pod’s End, and I don’t quite know Pod’s End,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Which is it, Bounderby?’

Tradução Integral em Português

Havia uma velha, e o que acham vocês? Vivia somente do que se come e se bebe; Comer e beber eram sua dieta completa, E mesmo assim a velha NUNCA ficava quieta.

Seria possível, pergunto-me, que houvesse alguma analogia entre o caso da população de Coketown e o caso dos pequenos Gradgrinds? Por certo, a nenhum de nós, em pleno uso de nossas sóbrias faculdades e familiarizado com números, hão de dizer, a esta altura, que um dos principais elementos da existência dos trabalhadores de Coketown fora, durante dezenas de anos, deliberadamente desprezado? Que neles havia alguma Fantasia que exigia ser trazida a uma existência sadia, em vez de continuar a debater-se em convulsões? Que, exatamente na proporção em que trabalhavam longa e monotonamente, crescia dentro deles o anseio por algum alívio físico - alguma recreação que estimulasse o bom humor e a alegria e lhes desse uma válvula de escape - algum feriado reconhecido, ainda que apenas para uma dança honesta ao som de uma animada banda de música - alguma torta leve ocasional em que nem sequer M’Choakumchild tivesse metido o dedo - , anseio que precisava e haveria de ser satisfeito da maneira certa, ou precisava e haveria inevitavelmente de extraviar-se, até que as leis da Criação fossem revogadas?

- Esse homem mora em Pod’s End, e não conheço muito bem Pod’s End - disse o Sr. Gradgrind. - Para que lado fica, Bounderby?

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

O Sr. Bounderby sabia que ficava em algum lugar na parte baixa da cidade, mas não sabia mais nada. Eles pararam por um instante e olharam ao redor.

Naquele momento, uma menina assustada que o Sr. Gradgrind reconheceu surgiu correndo depressa na esquina. - Olá! - disse ele. - Pare! Aonde você vai? Pare! - A menina número vinte parou, respirando com dificuldade, e fez uma reverência para ele.

- Por que você está correndo descontroladamente pelas ruas dessa maneira imprópria? - perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind.

- Alguém estava me perseguindo, senhor - disse a menina, ofegante - , e eu queria escapar.

- Perseguindo você? - repetiu o Sr. Gradgrind. - Quem perseguiria você?

A resposta veio de repente. O pálido garoto Bitzer dobrou a esquina correndo tão às cegas e esperava tão completamente encontrar a calçada livre que bateu na barriga do Sr. Gradgrind e ricocheteou para a rua.

- O que significa isso, garoto? - disse o Sr. Gradgrind. - O que está fazendo? Como ousa bater em todo mundo desse jeito? - Bitzer apanhou o boné que a colisão derrubara. Recuou, tocou respeitosamente a testa e disse que fora um acidente.

Original English Version

Mr. Bounderby knew it was somewhere down town, but knew no more respecting it. So they stopped for a moment, looking about.

Almost as they did so, there came running round the corner of the street at a quick pace and with a frightened look, a girl whom Mr. Gradgrind recognized. ‘Halloa!’ said he. ‘Stop! Where are you going! Stop!’ Girl number twenty stopped then, palpitating, and made him a curtsey.

‘Why are you tearing about the streets,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, ‘in this improper manner?’

‘I was - I was run after, sir,’ the girl panted, ‘and I wanted to get away.’

‘Run after?’ repeated Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Who would run after _you_?’

The question was unexpectedly and suddenly answered for her, by the colourless boy, Bitzer, who came round the corner with such blind speed and so little anticipating a stoppage on the pavement, that he brought himself up against Mr. Gradgrind’s waistcoat and rebounded into the road.

‘What do you mean, boy?’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘What are you doing? How dare you dash against - everybody - in this manner?’ Bitzer picked up his cap, which the concussion had knocked off; and backing, and knuckling his forehead, pleaded that it was an accident.

Tradução Integral em Português

O Sr. Bounderby sabia que ficava em algum lugar na parte baixa da cidade, mas nada mais sabia a respeito. Assim, pararam por um instante e olharam em volta.

Quase no mesmo momento, surgiu, dobrando a esquina da rua em passo acelerado e com expressão assustada, uma menina que o Sr. Gradgrind reconheceu. - Olá! - disse ele. - Pare! Aonde vai? Pare! - A menina número vinte parou então, palpitante, e fez-lhe uma mesura.

- Por que está correndo pelas ruas - disse o Sr. Gradgrind - dessa maneira imprópria?

- Eu estava... estavam correndo atrás de mim, senhor - arquejou a menina - , e eu queria escapar.

- Correndo atrás de você? - repetiu o Sr. Gradgrind. - Quem correria atrás de _você_?

A pergunta foi inesperada e subitamente respondida em seu lugar pelo menino sem cor, Bitzer, que dobrou a esquina com tamanha velocidade cega e tão pouco previa uma parada na calçada que foi dar contra o colete do Sr. Gradgrind e ricocheteou para a rua.

- O que pretende, menino? - disse o Sr. Gradgrind. - O que está fazendo? Como ousa se lançar contra... todo mundo... dessa maneira? - Bitzer apanhou o boné, que o choque fizera cair; e, recuando e levando os nós dos dedos à testa, alegou que fora um acidente.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Era esse garoto que estava perseguindo você, Jupe? - perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind.

- Sim, senhor - disse a menina, contra a vontade.

- Não, eu não estava, senhor! - gritou Bitzer. - Só depois que ela fugiu de mim. Mas os artistas de circo nunca se importam em dizer a verdade, senhor; todos sabem disso. Você sabe que os artistas de circo não se importam com o que dizem - falou para Sissy. - Todos na cidade sabem disso, assim como sabem que os artistas de circo não conhecem a tabuada. - Bitzer olhou para o Sr. Bounderby em busca de aprovação.

- Ele me assustou tanto com aquelas caretas cruéis! - disse a menina.

- Ah! - gritou Bitzer. - Você é igual aos outros! Não é uma artista de circo? Eu nunca fiz caretas para ela, senhor. Perguntei se amanhã ela saberia definir um cavalo e me ofereci para explicar outra vez. Ela fugiu, então fui atrás dela para garantir que soubesse responder à pergunta. Você não teria contado uma mentira tão prejudicial se não fosse uma artista de circo!

Original English Version

‘Was this boy running after you, Jupe?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind.

‘Yes, sir,’ said the girl reluctantly.

‘No, I wasn’t, sir!’ cried Bitzer. ‘Not till she run away from me. But the horse-riders never mind what they say, sir; they’re famous for it. You know the horse-riders are famous for never minding what they say,’ addressing Sissy. ‘It’s as well known in the town as - please, sir, as the multiplication table isn’t known to the horse-riders.’ Bitzer tried Mr. Bounderby with this.

‘He frightened me so,’ said the girl, ‘with his cruel faces!’

‘Oh!’ cried Bitzer. ‘Oh! An’t you one of the rest! An’t you a horse-rider! I never looked at her, sir. I asked her if she would know how to define a horse to-morrow, and offered to tell her again, and she ran away, and I ran after her, sir, that she might know how to answer when she was asked. You wouldn’t have thought of saying such mischief if you hadn’t been a horse-rider?’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Era esse menino que corria atrás de você, Jupe? - perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind.

- Sim, senhor - disse a menina, relutante.

- Não estava, não, senhor! - exclamou Bitzer. - Só depois que ela fugiu de mim. Mas o pessoal do circo não liga para o que diz, senhor; é famoso por isso. Você sabe que o pessoal do circo é famoso por não ligar para o que diz - acrescentou, dirigindo-se a Sissy. - É tão sabido na cidade quanto... com licença, senhor, quanto é desconhecida a tabuada pelo pessoal do circo. - Bitzer experimentou essa tirada no Sr. Bounderby.

- Ele me assustou tanto - disse a menina - com suas caretas cruéis!

- Ah! - exclamou Bitzer. - Ah! Você não é igual aos outros? Não é do circo? Eu nem olhei para ela, senhor. Perguntei se amanhã saberia definir um cavalo e me ofereci para explicar de novo; então ela fugiu, e eu corri atrás dela, senhor, para que soubesse responder quando lhe perguntassem. Você não teria pensado em dizer uma maldade dessas se não fosse do circo, teria?

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Todos na escola já parecem saber o que a família dela faz - observou o Sr. Bounderby. - Dentro de uma semana, a escola inteira estaria enfileirada olhando o circo.

- Realmente acho que sim - respondeu o amigo. - Bitzer, dê meia-volta e vá para casa. Jupe, fique aqui por um momento. Garoto, se eu souber que voltou a correr desse jeito, falarei com o diretor da escola sobre você. Você me entendeu. Vá.

O garoto parou de piscar rapidamente, tocou a testa com respeito outra vez, olhou para Sissy, virou-se e foi embora.

- Agora, menina - disse o Sr. Gradgrind - , leve este cavalheiro e a mim até a casa de seu pai. Estamos indo para lá. O que há nessa garrafa que você carrega?

- Gim - disse o Sr. Bounderby.

- Ah, não, senhor! É o óleo das nove essências.

- O quê? - gritou o Sr. Bounderby.

- O óleo das nove essências, senhor. Eu o uso para massagear meu pai.

O Sr. Bounderby deu uma risada curta e alta. - Por que diabos você massageia seu pai com o óleo das nove essências?

Original English Version

‘Her calling seems to be pretty well known among ’em,’ observed Mr. Bounderby. ‘You’d have had the whole school peeping in a row, in a week.’

‘Truly, I think so,’ returned his friend. ‘Bitzer, turn you about and take yourself home. Jupe, stay here a moment. Let me hear of your running in this manner any more, boy, and you will hear of me through the master of the school. You understand what I mean. Go along.’

The boy stopped in his rapid blinking, knuckled his forehead again, glanced at Sissy, turned about, and retreated.

‘Now, girl,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, ‘take this gentleman and me to your father’s; we are going there. What have you got in that bottle you are carrying?’

‘Gin,’ said Mr. Bounderby.

‘Dear, no, sir! It’s the nine oils.’

‘The what?’ cried Mr. Bounderby.

‘The nine oils, sir, to rub father with.’

‘Then,’ said Mr. Bounderby, with a loud short laugh, ‘what the devil do you rub your father with nine oils for?’

Tradução Integral em Português

- A profissão dela parece ser muito bem conhecida entre eles - observou o Sr. Bounderby. - Em uma semana, você teria a escola inteira espiando em fila.

- De fato, creio que sim - retrucou o amigo. - Bitzer, dê meia-volta e vá para casa. Jupe, fique aqui um instante. Se eu souber de você correndo dessa maneira outra vez, menino, você terá notícias minhas por intermédio do diretor da escola. Entende o que quero dizer. Vá andando.

O menino interrompeu seu piscar acelerado, tornou a levar os nós dos dedos à testa, lançou um olhar a Sissy, deu meia-volta e retirou-se.

- Agora, menina - disse o Sr. Gradgrind - , conduza este cavalheiro e a mim à casa de seu pai; estamos indo até lá. O que há nessa garrafa que está carregando?

- Gim - disse o Sr. Bounderby.

- Oh, não, senhor! São os nove óleos.

- Os quê? - exclamou o Sr. Bounderby.

- Os nove óleos, senhor, para passar em papai.

- Então - disse o Sr. Bounderby, com uma risada curta e sonora - , por que diabos você passa nove óleos em seu pai?

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Nosso pessoal do circo sempre usa isso quando se machuca no picadeiro, senhor - respondeu a menina, olhando por cima do ombro para garantir que Bitzer tinha ido embora. - Às vezes eles ficam com hematomas terríveis.

- Eles merecem isso por serem ociosos - disse o Sr. Bounderby. Ela ergueu os olhos para o rosto dele com surpresa e medo.

- Meu Deus! - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Quando eu era quatro ou cinco anos mais novo que você, meus hematomas eram tão graves que dez, vinte ou quarenta óleos não conseguiriam removê-los. Não os ganhei fazendo apresentações. Ganhei apanhando. Eu não dançava numa corda. Dançava no chão nu enquanto as pessoas batiam em mim com uma.

O Sr. Gradgrind era um homem duro, mas estava longe de ser tão grosseiro quanto o Sr. Bounderby. Considerando tudo, ele não era naturalmente cruel. Poderia até ter sido muito bondoso se, anos antes, tivesse cometido um grande erro nos cálculos que moldaram seu caráter. Quando entraram numa rua estreita, tentou parecer tranquilizador e disse: - Então isto é Pod’s End, não é, Jupe?

Original English Version

‘It’s what our people aways use, sir, when they get any hurts in the ring,’ replied the girl, looking over her shoulder, to assure herself that her pursuer was gone. ‘They bruise themselves very bad sometimes.’

‘Serve ’em right,’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘for being idle.’ She glanced up at his face, with mingled astonishment and dread.

‘By George!’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘when I was four or five years younger than you, I had worse bruises upon me than ten oils, twenty oils, forty oils, would have rubbed off. I didn’t get ’em by posture-making, but by being banged about. There was no rope-dancing for me; I danced on the bare ground and was larruped with the rope.’

Mr. Gradgrind, though hard enough, was by no means so rough a man as Mr. Bounderby. His character was not unkind, all things considered; it might have been a very kind one indeed, if he had only made some round mistake in the arithmetic that balanced it, years ago. He said, in what he meant for a reassuring tone, as they turned down a narrow road, ‘And this is Pod’s End; is it, Jupe?’

Tradução Integral em Português

- É o que nosso pessoal sempre usa, senhor, quando se machuca no picadeiro - respondeu a menina, olhando por cima do ombro para certificar-se de que seu perseguidor se fora. - Às vezes eles se contundem muito feio.

- Bem feito - disse o Sr. Bounderby - , por serem vadios. - Ela ergueu os olhos para o rosto dele, numa mistura de espanto e temor.

- Por Deus! - disse o Sr. Bounderby. - Quando eu era quatro ou cinco anos mais moço que você, tinha no corpo contusões piores do que dez óleos, vinte óleos, quarenta óleos seriam capazes de curar. Não as consegui fazendo poses, mas levando pancada. Nada de dançar na corda para mim; eu dançava no chão nu e apanhava com a corda.

O Sr. Gradgrind, embora bastante duro, não era de modo algum um homem tão áspero quanto o Sr. Bounderby. Seu caráter, levando-se tudo em conta, não era desumano; poderia até ter sido muito humano, se ele apenas houvesse cometido, anos antes, algum belo erro de cálculo na aritmética que o equilibrava. Disse, no que pretendia ser um tom tranquilizador, quando entraram numa rua estreita: - E isto é Pod’s End, não é, Jupe?

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

- Sim, senhor, e... se não se importa, senhor... esta é a casa.

Ao anoitecer, ela parou diante da porta de uma pequena e pobre taberna com luzes vermelhas e fracas. O lugar parecia esgotado e malcuidado, como se a falta de clientes tivesse levado o próprio edifício a começar a beber, seguir o caminho de todos os bêbados e aproximar-se do fim.

‘É só atravessar o bar e subir a escada, senhor. Por favor, espere ali enquanto pego uma vela. Se ouvir um cachorro, é apenas o Merrylegs, e ele só late.’

‘Merrylegs e nove óleos, hein!’, disse o Sr. Bounderby, entrando por último com sua risada metálica. ‘Nada mau para um homem que venceu sozinho!’

Original English Version

‘This is it, sir, and - if you wouldn’t mind, sir - this is the house.’

She stopped, at twilight, at the door of a mean little public-house, with dim red lights in it. As haggard and as shabby, as if, for want of custom, it had itself taken to drinking, and had gone the way all drunkards go, and was very near the end of it.

‘It’s only crossing the bar, sir, and up the stairs, if you wouldn’t mind, and waiting there for a moment till I get a candle. If you should hear a dog, sir, it’s only Merrylegs, and he only barks.’

‘Merrylegs and nine oils, eh!’ said Mr. Bounderby, entering last with his metallic laugh. ‘Pretty well this, for a self-made man!’

Tradução Integral em Português

- É aqui, senhor, e... se o senhor não se importar... esta é a casa.

Ela parou, ao crepúsculo, à porta de uma taberna pequena e miserável, de mortiças luzes vermelhas. Tão macilenta e maltrapilha como se, por falta de fregueses, ela própria se houvesse entregado à bebida, seguido o caminho de todos os bêbados e estivesse muito próxima do fim.

- É só atravessar o bar, senhor, e subir a escada, se não se importar, e esperar ali um momento até eu arranjar uma vela. Se ouvir um cachorro, senhor, é só o Merrylegs, e ele só late.

- Merrylegs e nove óleos, hein! - disse o Sr. Bounderby, entrando por último com sua risada metálica. - Nada mau para um homem que se fez sozinho!

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

CHAPTER VI Sleary’s Horsemanship

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

A hospedaria chamava-se Armas de Pégaso. Uma imagem do cavalo alado aparecia na placa, com o nome escrito abaixo em letras romanas. Sob isso, um pergaminho pintado trazia estes versos:

Bom malte faz boa cerveja; entre e aqui vão servi-la. Bom vinho faz boa aguardente; venha nos visitar e verá como é conveniente.

Atrás do pequeno bar sujo havia outro Pégaso emoldurado, feito para o teatro. Suas asas eram de gaze verdadeira, estrelas douradas cobriam seu corpo e seu belo arreio era de seda vermelha.

Estava escuro demais lá fora para ver a placa e ainda não havia luz suficiente dentro para ver o quadro; por isso, as imagens fantasiosas não ofenderam o Sr. Gradgrind nem o Sr. Bounderby. Eles seguiram a menina por uma escada íngreme e esperaram no escuro enquanto ela buscava uma vela. Esperavam que Merrylegs latisse, mas o cão treinado ficou em silêncio até ela voltar.

Original English Version

THE name of the public-house was the Pegasus’s Arms. The Pegasus’s legs might have been more to the purpose; but, underneath the winged horse upon the sign-board, the Pegasus’s Arms was inscribed in Roman letters. Beneath that inscription again, in a flowing scroll, the painter had touched off the lines:

Good malt makes good beer, Walk in, and they’ll draw it here; Good wine makes good brandy, Give us a call, and you’ll find it handy.

Framed and glazed upon the wall behind the dingy little bar, was another Pegasus - a theatrical one - with real gauze let in for his wings, golden stars stuck on all over him, and his ethereal harness made of red silk.

As it had grown too dusky without, to see the sign, and as it had not grown light enough within to see the picture, Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby received no offence from these idealities. They followed the girl up some steep corner-stairs without meeting any one, and stopped in the dark while she went on for a candle. They expected every moment to hear Merrylegs give tongue, but the highly trained performing dog had not barked when the girl and the candle appeared together.

Tradução Integral em Português

O NOME da hospedaria era Armas de Pégaso. Talvez as pernas de Pégaso viessem mais a propósito; mas, sob o cavalo alado da tabuleta, estava escrito Armas de Pégaso em letras romanas. Abaixo dessa inscrição, por sua vez, numa faixa ondulante, o pintor traçara os versos:

Bom malte faz boa cerveja, Entre, e tiraremos a que deseja; Bom vinho faz bom conhaque, Venha nos ver, será de destaque.

Emoldurado e envidraçado na parede atrás do pequeno e encardido balcão havia outro Pégaso - um Pégaso teatral - , com gaze de verdade aplicada nas asas, estrelas douradas coladas por todo o corpo e arreios etéreos feitos de seda vermelha.

Como lá fora já escurecera demais para que se visse a tabuleta, e lá dentro ainda não clareara o bastante para que se visse o quadro, o Sr. Gradgrind e o Sr. Bounderby não sofreram ofensa alguma dessas idealidades. Seguiram a menina por uma escada íngreme que dobrava uma esquina, sem encontrar ninguém, e pararam no escuro enquanto ela prosseguia em busca de uma vela. A cada instante esperavam ouvir Merrylegs dar voz, mas o cão amestrado de alta categoria ainda não latira quando a menina e a vela apareceram juntas.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

‘Meu pai não está no nosso quarto, senhor’, disse Sissy, surpresa. ‘Por favor, entrem enquanto vou procurá-lo.’ Ela lhes deu duas cadeiras e saiu depressa. O quarto pobre tinha uma cama e o gorro de palco do Signor Jupe, enfeitado com penas de pavão e uma trança rígida. Nada mais mostrava sinal dele, de seu trabalho ou mesmo de Merrylegs.

Eles ouviram Sissy abrir e fechar portas no andar de cima enquanto procurava e depois escutaram vozes surpresas. Ela desceu correndo, abriu um velho baú estragado, encontrou-o vazio e olhou ao redor com as mãos unidas e o rosto aterrorizado.

‘Meu pai deve ter ido à barraca do circo, senhor. Não sei por quê, mas ele deve estar lá. Vou trazê-lo num instante!’ Ela saiu correndo sem o chapéu, com os longos cabelos escuros voando atrás dela.

‘O que ela quer dizer com “voltar num instante”?’, perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Fica a mais de uma milha daqui.’

Original English Version

‘Father is not in our room, sir,’ she said, with a face of great surprise. ‘If you wouldn’t mind walking in, I’ll find him directly.’ They walked in; and Sissy, having set two chairs for them, sped away with a quick light step. It was a mean, shabbily furnished room, with a bed in it. The white night-cap, embellished with two peacock’s feathers and a pigtail bolt upright, in which Signor Jupe had that very afternoon enlivened the varied performances with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts, hung upon a nail; but no other portion of his wardrobe, or other token of himself or his pursuits, was to be seen anywhere. As to Merrylegs, that respectable ancestor of the highly trained animal who went aboard the ark, might have been accidentally shut out of it, for any sign of a dog that was manifest to eye or ear in the Pegasus’s Arms.

They heard the doors of rooms above, opening and shutting as Sissy went from one to another in quest of her father; and presently they heard voices expressing surprise. She came bounding down again in a great hurry, opened a battered and mangy old hair trunk, found it empty, and looked round with her hands clasped and her face full of terror.

‘Father must have gone down to the Booth, sir. I don’t know why he should go there, but he must be there; I’ll bring him in a minute!’ She was gone directly, without her bonnet; with her long, dark, childish hair streaming behind her.

‘What does she mean!’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Back in a minute? It’s more than a mile off.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Papai não está no nosso quarto, senhor - disse ela, com o rosto muito surpreso. - Se não se importarem de entrar, eu o encontro num instante. - Eles entraram; e Sissy, depois de lhes pôr duas cadeiras, partiu apressada com passadas rápidas e leves. Era um quarto pobre, mobiliado sem gosto, com uma cama. A touca branca de dormir, enfeitada com duas penas de pavão e um rabicho erguido a prumo, com a qual o Signor Jupe animara naquela mesma tarde as variadas apresentações por meio de seus castos chistes e réplicas shakespearianos, pendia de um prego. > **Tradução do italiano:** Senhor Jupe. Mas nenhuma outra peça de seu vestuário, nem outro indício dele ou de suas ocupações, podia ser visto em parte alguma. Quanto a Merrylegs, aquele respeitável descendente do animal altamente adestrado que embarcou na arca bem poderia ter ficado acidentalmente de fora dela, a julgar por qualquer sinal de cachorro que se manifestasse aos olhos ou aos ouvidos nas Armas de Pégaso.

Ouviram as portas dos quartos de cima abrirem-se e fecharem-se enquanto Sissy passava de um para outro à procura do pai; e logo ouviram vozes expressando surpresa. Ela desceu saltitando outra vez, muito apressada, abriu um velho baú de pelo, surrado e pelado, encontrou-o vazio e olhou ao redor com as mãos entrelaçadas e o rosto cheio de terror.

- Papai deve ter descido até a Barraca, senhor. Não sei por que teria ido até lá, mas deve estar lá; eu o trago num minuto! - E saiu imediatamente, sem o chapéu; os longos cabelos escuros e infantis esvoaçando atrás dela.

- O que ela quer dizer? - disse o Sr. Gradgrind. - Voltar num minuto? Fica a mais de uma milha daqui.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Antes que o Sr. Bounderby respondesse, um jovem entrou com as mãos nos bolsos. Tinha o rosto magro e pálido, muito cabelo escuro, pernas fortes e curtas, e peito e costas muito largos. Suas roupas e seu cheiro misturavam o estábulo com o teatro. Era o Sr. E. W. B. Childers, famoso por um perigoso número de equitação como o Caçador Selvagem. Um menino pequeno, de aparência envelhecida, fazia o papel de seu filho. No palco, o menino se vestia de Cupido; em particular, porém, usava um casaco curto, tinha voz áspera e se comportava como um homem do mundo das corridas de cavalos.

‘Com licença, senhores’, disse o Sr. Childers, olhando ao redor. ‘Creio que queriam ver Jupe.’

‘Sim’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘A filha dele foi procurá-lo, mas não posso esperar. Vou deixar um recado com o senhor, se puder.’

O Sr. Bounderby acrescentou: ‘Meu amigo, nós somos pessoas que conhecem o valor do tempo, enquanto gente como vocês não conhece.’

Original English Version

Before Mr. Bounderby could reply, a young man appeared at the door, and introducing himself with the words, ‘By your leaves, gentlemen!’ walked in with his hands in his pockets. His face, close-shaven, thin, and sallow, was shaded by a great quantity of dark hair, brushed into a roll all round his head, and parted up the centre. His legs were very robust, but shorter than legs of good proportions should have been. His chest and back were as much too broad, as his legs were too short. He was dressed in a Newmarket coat and tight-fitting trousers; wore a shawl round his neck; smelt of lamp-oil, straw, orange-peel, horses’ provender, and sawdust; and looked a most remarkable sort of Centaur, compounded of the stable and the play-house. Where the one began, and the other ended, nobody could have told with any precision. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy.

‘By your leaves, gentlemen,’ said Mr. E. W. B. Childers, glancing round the room. ‘It was you, I believe, that were wishing to see Jupe!’

‘It was,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘His daughter has gone to fetch him, but I can’t wait; therefore, if you please, I will leave a message for him with you.’

‘You see, my friend,’ Mr. Bounderby put in, ‘we are the kind of people who know the value of time, and you are the kind of people who don’t know the value of time.’

Tradução Integral em Português

Antes que o Sr. Bounderby pudesse responder, um jovem apareceu à porta e, apresentando-se com as palavras: - Com vossa licença, cavalheiros! - , entrou com as mãos nos bolsos. Seu rosto, bem barbeado, magro e amarelado, era sombreado por uma grande quantidade de cabelos escuros, penteados em rolo ao redor de toda a cabeça e repartidos ao meio. Suas pernas eram muito robustas, porém mais curtas do que deveriam ser pernas bem proporcionadas. O peito e as costas eram largos demais na mesma medida em que as pernas eram curtas demais. Vestia um casaco Newmarket e calças justas; trazia um xale em torno do pescoço; cheirava a óleo de lampião, palha, casca de laranja, ração de cavalo e serragem; e parecia uma espécie extraordinária de Centauro, composto de cavalariça e teatro. Ninguém poderia dizer com precisão onde começava um e terminava o outro. Esse cavalheiro era anunciado nos cartazes do dia como Sr. E. W. B. Childers, tão justamente célebre por seu audacioso número de volteio como o Caçador Selvagem das Pradarias Norte-Americanas; nessa popular apresentação, um menino diminuto de rosto velho, que agora o acompanhava, ajudava-o no papel de seu filhinho: era carregado de cabeça para baixo sobre o ombro do pai, preso por um pé, e segurado pelo alto da cabeça, calcanhares para cima, na palma da mão paterna, segundo a violenta maneira paternal com que se pode observar que caçadores selvagens afagam a prole. Caracterizado com cachos, grinaldas, asas, branco de bismuto e carmim, esse jovem promissor alçava-se num Cupido tão encantador que constituía o principal deleite da parcela materna dos espectadores; mas, na vida particular, onde suas características eram uma precoce casaca de abas cortadas e uma voz extremamente áspera, tornava-se homem do turfe, turfista.

- Com vossa licença, cavalheiros - disse o Sr. E. W. B. Childers, percorrendo o quarto com os olhos. - Creio que eram os senhores que desejavam ver Jupe!

- Éramos - disse o Sr. Gradgrind. - A filha dele foi buscá-lo, mas não posso esperar; portanto, se fizer o favor, deixarei com o senhor um recado para ele.

- Veja bem, meu amigo - interveio o Sr. Bounderby - , nós somos a espécie de gente que conhece o valor do tempo, e vocês são a espécie de gente que não conhece o valor do tempo.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

O Sr. Childers olhou-o da cabeça aos pés e respondeu: ‘Não tenho a honra de conhecê-lo. Mas, se quer dizer que seu tempo rende mais dinheiro que o meu, sua aparência indica que tem razão.’

‘E, depois de ganhar dinheiro, suponho que também consiga guardá-lo’, disse Cupido.

‘Kidderminster, pare com isso!’, disse o Sr. Childers. Kidderminster era o verdadeiro nome de Cupido.

‘Então por que ele vem aqui nos insultar?’, gritou Kidderminster, irritado. ‘Se quer nos insultar, pague na entrada e faça isso durante o espetáculo.’

‘Kidderminster, pare!’, disse o Sr. Childers em voz mais alta. Depois falou ao Sr. Gradgrind: ‘Eu estava falando com o senhor. Talvez não saiba que Jupe tem falhado muitas vezes em suas apresentações ultimamente.’

‘Ele perdeu o quê?’, perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind, olhando para Bounderby em busca de ajuda.

‘Ele falhou no número.’

‘Ele tentou o número das Ligas quatro vezes ontem à noite e falhou em todas’, disse Kidderminster. ‘Também falhou com as bandeiras e foi fraco nas acrobacias.’

Original English Version

‘I have not,’ retorted Mr. Childers, after surveying him from head to foot, ‘the honour of knowing _you_, - but if you mean that you can make more money of your time than I can of mine, I should judge from your appearance, that you are about right.’

‘And when you have made it, you can keep it too, I should think,’ said Cupid.

‘Kidderminster, stow that!’ said Mr. Childers. (Master Kidderminster was Cupid’s mortal name.)

‘What does he come here cheeking us for, then?’ cried Master Kidderminster, showing a very irascible temperament. ‘If you want to cheek us, pay your ochre at the doors and take it out.’

‘Kidderminster,’ said Mr. Childers, raising his voice, ‘stow that! - Sir,’ to Mr. Gradgrind, ‘I was addressing myself to you. You may or you may not be aware (for perhaps you have not been much in the audience), that Jupe has missed his tip very often, lately.’

‘Has - what has he missed?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, glancing at the potent Bounderby for assistance.

‘Missed his tip.’

‘Offered at the Garters four times last night, and never done ’em once,’ said Master Kidderminster. ‘Missed his tip at the banners, too, and was loose in his ponging.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Não tenho - retorquiu o Sr. Childers, depois de examiná-lo da cabeça aos pés - a honra de conhecer o _senhor_; mas, se quer dizer que consegue ganhar mais dinheiro com seu tempo do que eu com o meu, julgando por sua aparência, diria que tem toda a razão.

- E, depois de ganhá-lo, também consegue guardá-lo, imagino - disse Cupido.

- Kidderminster, chega disso! - disse o Sr. Childers. (Mestre Kidderminster era o nome mortal de Cupido.)

- Então por que ele vem aqui tirar onda com a nossa cara? - gritou Mestre Kidderminster, revelando um temperamento muito irascível. - Se quer tirar onda com a nossa cara, pague a grana na porta e aproveite.

- Kidderminster - disse o Sr. Childers, elevando a voz - , chega disso! Senhor - disse ao Sr. Gradgrind - , eu estava me dirigindo ao senhor. Talvez saiba, talvez não saiba (pois pode ser que não tenha frequentado muito a plateia), que ultimamente Jupe tem errado muito o número.

- Tem... tem errado o quê? - perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind, lançando um olhar ao poderoso Bounderby em busca de auxílio.

- Errado o número.

- Tentou as Jarreteiras quatro vezes ontem à noite e não acertou nenhuma - disse Mestre Kidderminster. - Errou o número das bandeiras também e estava frouxo no lançamento.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

O Sr. Childers explicou: ‘Ele não fez o que devia. Seus saltos foram curtos e suas acrobacias foram ruins.’

‘Ah’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Então é isso que a expressão significa?’

‘Em geral, é isso que significa’, respondeu o Sr. Childers.

‘Nove óleos, Merrylegs, números fracassados, ligas, bandeiras e acrobacias!’, exclamou Bounderby com sua risada mais forte. ‘Que companhia estranha para um homem que venceu sozinho!’

Cupido respondeu: ‘Então se rebaixe! Se subiu tanto, desça um pouco.’

‘Este garoto é muito atrevido!’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, virando-se para ele com uma expressão zangada.

Kidderminster respondeu sem vergonha: ‘Teríamos arranjado um jovem cavalheiro para recebê-lo se soubéssemos que vinha. É uma pena que não tenha reservado uma apresentação especial, já que é tão exigente. O senhor se apresenta na corda bamba, não é?’

O Sr. Gradgrind pareceu desesperado e perguntou: ‘O que este garoto mal-educado quer dizer com “corda bamba”?’

Original English Version

‘Didn’t do what he ought to do. Was short in his leaps and bad in his tumbling,’ Mr. Childers interpreted.

‘Oh!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, ‘that is tip, is it?’

‘In a general way that’s missing his tip,’ Mr. E. W. B. Childers answered.

‘Nine oils, Merrylegs, missing tips, garters, banners, and Ponging, eh!’ ejaculated Bounderby, with his laugh of laughs. ‘Queer sort of company, too, for a man who has raised himself!’

‘Lower yourself, then,’ retorted Cupid. ‘Oh Lord! if you’ve raised yourself so high as all that comes to, let yourself down a bit.’

‘This is a very obtrusive lad!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, turning, and knitting his brows on him.

‘We’d have had a young gentleman to meet you, if we had known you were coming,’ retorted Master Kidderminster, nothing abashed. ‘It’s a pity you don’t have a bespeak, being so particular. You’re on the Tight-Jeff, ain’t you?’

‘What does this unmannerly boy mean,’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, eyeing him in a sort of desperation, ‘by Tight-Jeff?’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Não fez o que devia fazer. Ficou aquém nos saltos e foi mal nas acrobacias - interpretou o Sr. Childers.

- Ah! - disse o Sr. Gradgrind. - Então é isso errar o número?

- Em termos gerais, isso é errar o número - respondeu o Sr. E. W. B. Childers.

- Nove óleos, Merrylegs, números errados, jarreteiras, bandeiras e Lançamento, hein! - exclamou Bounderby, com sua risada das risadas. - Que companhia esquisita também, para um homem que se elevou na vida!

- Rebaixe-se, então - retorquiu Cupido. - Santo Deus! Se o senhor se elevou até essa altura toda, desça um pouco.

- Este rapaz é muito intrometido! - disse o Sr. Gradgrind, virando-se e franzindo-lhe o cenho.

- Teríamos arranjado um jovem cavalheiro para recebê-lo, se soubéssemos que vinha - retorquiu Mestre Kidderminster, sem se deixar intimidar. - É uma pena não mandar reservar o espetáculo, já que é tão exigente. O senhor faz a Corda-Dura, não faz?

- O que este menino malcriado quer dizer - perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind, fitando-o com uma espécie de desespero - com Corda-Dura?

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

‘Saia!’, disse o Sr. Childers, empurrando o garoto para fora do quarto. ‘Não importa se é corda bamba ou corda frouxa. O senhor ia me deixar um recado para Jupe?’

‘Sim.’

O Sr. Childers continuou depressa: ‘Na minha opinião, ele nunca receberá o recado. O senhor o conhece bem?’

‘Nunca vi esse homem na vida.’

‘Duvido que algum dia o veja agora. Para mim, está claro que ele fugiu.’

‘Quer dizer que ele abandonou a filha?’

‘Sim’, disse o Sr. Childers, assentindo. ‘Ele foi embora. O público o rejeitou ontem à noite, na noite anterior e hoje. Isso tem acontecido muito ultimamente, e ele não consegue suportar.’

O Sr. Gradgrind perguntou com solenidade e relutância: ‘Por que o público o rejeitou tantas vezes?’

Childers disse: ‘As articulações dele estão ficando rígidas e seu corpo está desgastado. Ele ainda fala bem, mas não consegue ganhar a vida com isso.’

Original English Version

‘There! Get out, get out!’ said Mr. Childers, thrusting his young friend from the room, rather in the prairie manner. ‘Tight-Jeff or Slack-Jeff, it don’t much signify: it’s only tight-rope and slack-rope. You were going to give me a message for Jupe?’

‘Yes, I was.’

‘Then,’ continued Mr. Childers, quickly, ‘my opinion is, he will never receive it. Do you know much of him?’

‘I never saw the man in my life.’

‘I doubt if you ever _will_ see him now. It’s pretty plain to me, he’s off.’

‘Do you mean that he has deserted his daughter?’

‘Ay! I mean,’ said Mr. Childers, with a nod, ‘that he has cut. He was goosed last night, he was goosed the night before last, he was goosed to-day. He has lately got in the way of being always goosed, and he can’t stand it.’

‘Why has he been - so very much - Goosed?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, forcing the word out of himself, with great solemnity and reluctance.

‘His joints are turning stiff, and he is getting used up,’ said Childers. ‘He has his points as a Cackler still, but he can’t get a living out of _them_.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Ora! Saia, saia! - disse o Sr. Childers, empurrando o jovem amigo para fora do quarto, um tanto à maneira das pradarias. - Corda-Dura ou Corda-Mole, não faz muita diferença: são apenas corda bamba tesa e corda bamba frouxa. Ia deixar comigo um recado para Jupe?

- Sim.

- Então - continuou depressa o Sr. Childers - , em minha opinião, ele nunca o receberá. Conhece-o bem?

- Nunca vi esse homem em minha vida.

- Duvido que venha a _vê-lo_ agora. Para mim está bem claro: ele sumiu.

- Quer dizer que ele abandonou a filha?

- Sim! Quero dizer - disse o Sr. Childers, com um aceno - que ele deu no pé. Foi vaiado ontem à noite, foi vaiado anteontem à noite, foi vaiado hoje. Ultimamente adquiriu o hábito de ser vaiado sempre, e não consegue suportar.

- Por que ele tem sido... tão... Vaiado? - perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind, arrancando a palavra de si mesmo com grande solenidade e relutância.

- Suas juntas estão ficando rígidas e ele está ficando acabado - disse Childers. - Ainda tem suas qualidades como Falador, mas não consegue ganhar a vida com _elas_.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

‘Um orador!’, repetiu Bounderby. ‘Outra palavra estranha!’

‘Um orador, se prefere essa palavra’, disse Childers com orgulho, sacudindo os longos cabelos. ‘O fato notável é que Jupe sofreu mais porque sua filha sabia que ele havia fracassado do que pelo próprio fracasso.’

Bounderby interrompeu: ‘Excelente, Gradgrind! Ele ama tanto a filha que foge dela! Escute, jovem. Nem sempre fui rico. Talvez fique surpreso ao saber que minha própria mãe fugiu de mim.’

E. W. B. Childers respondeu claramente que isso não o surpreendia nem um pouco.

Bounderby disse: ‘Nasci numa vala, e minha mãe me abandonou. Nunca a perdoei. Eu a considero quase a pior mulher que já viveu, depois de minha avó bêbada. Não tenho falso orgulho familiar nem ideias sentimentais. Falo com clareza. Do mesmo modo, Jupe é um criminoso fugitivo e um vagabundo.’

Original English Version

‘A Cackler!’ Bounderby repeated. ‘Here we go again!’

‘A speaker, if the gentleman likes it better,’ said Mr. E. W. B. Childers, superciliously throwing the interpretation over his shoulder, and accompanying it with a shake of his long hair - which all shook at once. ‘Now, it’s a remarkable fact, sir, that it cut that man deeper, to know that his daughter knew of his being goosed, than to go through with it.’

‘Good!’ interrupted Mr. Bounderby. ‘This is good, Gradgrind! A man so fond of his daughter, that he runs away from her! This is devilish good! Ha! ha! Now, I’ll tell you what, young man. I haven’t always occupied my present station of life. I know what these things are. You may be astonished to hear it, but my mother - ran away from _me_.’

E. W. B. Childers replied pointedly, that he was not at all astonished to hear it.

‘Very well,’ said Bounderby. ‘I was born in a ditch, and my mother ran away from me. Do I excuse her for it? No. Have I ever excused her for it? Not I. What do I call her for it? I call her probably the very worst woman that ever lived in the world, except my drunken grandmother. There’s no family pride about me, there’s no imaginative sentimental humbug about me. I call a spade a spade; and I call the mother of Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, without any fear or any favour, what I should call her if she had been the mother of Dick Jones of Wapping. So, with this man. He is a runaway rogue and a vagabond, that’s what he is, in English.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Um Falador! - repetiu Bounderby. - Lá vamos nós outra vez!

- Um orador, se assim agradar mais ao cavalheiro - disse o Sr. E. W. B. Childers, lançando desdenhosamente a interpretação por cima do ombro e acompanhando-a de um sacudir dos longos cabelos - que se sacudiram todos de uma vez. - Pois bem, é um fato extraordinário, senhor, que saber que a filha sabia que ele estava sendo vaiado feriu aquele homem mais profundamente do que passar pela vaia.

- Muito bom! - interrompeu o Sr. Bounderby. - Isto é muito bom, Gradgrind! Um homem tão afeiçoado à filha que foge dela! Isto é bom para o diabo! Ha! ha! Pois vou lhe dizer uma coisa, jovem. Nem sempre ocupei minha atual posição na vida. Conheço essas coisas. Talvez fique espantado ao saber, mas minha mãe... fugiu de _mim_.

E. W. B. Childers respondeu incisivamente que não ficava nem um pouco espantado ao saber disso.

- Muito bem - disse Bounderby. - Nasci numa vala, e minha mãe fugiu de mim. Eu a desculpo por isso? Não. Alguma vez a desculpei por isso? Nunca. Como a chamo por isso? Chamo-a provavelmente da pior mulher que já viveu no mundo, com exceção da minha avó bêbada. Não há orgulho de família em mim, não há em mim patranha sentimental e fantasiosa. Dou nome aos bois; e chamo a mãe de Josiah Bounderby de Coketown, sem qualquer medo nem favorecimento, do mesmo modo que a chamaria se ela fosse a mãe de Dick Jones de Wapping. Assim também com esse homem. É um patife fugitivo e um vagabundo, eis o que ele é, em bom português.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Childers virou-se para ele e respondeu: ‘Não me importa o que Jupe é, em inglês ou francês. Estou contando os fatos ao seu amigo. Se não gosta de ouvi-los, vá lá para fora. O senhor fala bem alto, mas faça isso em seu próprio prédio. Possui algum prédio?’

‘Talvez’, respondeu o Sr. Bounderby, fazendo suas moedas tilintarem e rindo.

‘Então, por favor, fale alto em seu próprio prédio’, disse Childers. ‘Este não é forte, e o peso de sua presença pode fazê-lo cair!’

Depois de olhar Bounderby novamente da cabeça aos pés, Childers virou-se como se o assunto estivesse encerrado e ficou de frente para o Sr. Gradgrind.

‘Há menos de uma hora, Jupe mandou a filha fazer uma tarefa. Depois, viram-no sair às escondidas, com o chapéu sobre os olhos e uma trouxa debaixo do braço. Ela nunca acreditará, mas ele fugiu e a deixou.’

‘Por que ela nunca acreditará nisso?’, perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind.

Original English Version

‘It’s all the same to me what he is or what he is not, whether in English or whether in French,’ retorted Mr. E. W. B. Childers, facing about. ‘I am telling your friend what’s the fact; if you don’t like to hear it, you can avail yourself of the open air. You give it mouth enough, you do; but give it mouth in your own building at least,’ remonstrated E. W. B. with stern irony. ‘Don’t give it mouth in this building, till you’re called upon. You have got some building of your own I dare say, now?’

‘Perhaps so,’ replied Mr. Bounderby, rattling his money and laughing.

‘Then give it mouth in your own building, will you, if you please?’ said Childers. ‘Because this isn’t a strong building, and too much of you might bring it down!’

Eyeing Mr. Bounderby from head to foot again, he turned from him, as from a man finally disposed of, to Mr. Gradgrind.

‘Jupe sent his daughter out on an errand not an hour ago, and then was seen to slip out himself, with his hat over his eyes, and a bundle tied up in a handkerchief under his arm. She will never believe it of him, but he has cut away and left her.’

‘Pray,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, ‘why will she never believe it of him?’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Para mim tanto faz o que ele é ou deixa de ser, seja em português, seja em francês - retorquiu o Sr. E. W. B. Childers, virando-se de frente. - Estou dizendo a seu amigo qual é o fato; se não gosta de ouvi-lo, pode aproveitar o ar livre. O senhor abre a boca bastante, abre mesmo; mas abra a boca ao menos no seu próprio prédio - protestou E. W. B., com severa ironia. - Não abra a boca neste prédio enquanto não for chamado a fazê-lo. Aposto que tem algum prédio seu, não tem?

- Talvez - respondeu o Sr. Bounderby, chacoalhando o dinheiro e rindo.

- Então queira abrir a boca no seu próprio prédio, por favor - disse Childers. - Porque este prédio não é sólido, e o excesso do senhor pode derrubá-lo!

Depois de examinar outra vez o Sr. Bounderby da cabeça aos pés, virou-se para o Sr. Gradgrind, como quem se afasta de um homem definitivamente despachado.

- Jupe mandou a filha fazer um serviço há menos de uma hora e depois foi visto escapulindo, com o chapéu sobre os olhos e uma trouxa amarrada num lenço debaixo do braço. Ela jamais acreditará nisso, mas ele deu no pé e a deixou.

- Diga-me - disse o Sr. Gradgrind - , por que ela jamais acreditará nisso?

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

‘Porque eram como uma só pessoa e nunca se separavam. Até agora, ele parecia amá-la profundamente’, disse Childers, olhando dentro do baú vazio. Childers e Kidderminster caminhavam com as pernas afastadas e os joelhos rígidos. Todos os homens da companhia de Sleary andavam assim para dar a impressão de que estavam sempre a cavalo.

‘Pobre Sissy! O pai devia tê-la colocado como aprendiz’, disse Childers, sacudindo os cabelos ao levantar os olhos do baú vazio. ‘Agora ele a deixou sem nenhum ofício para seguir.’

O Sr. Gradgrind respondeu com aprovação: ‘É bom que expresse essa opinião, embora nunca tenha sido aprendiz.’

‘Eu nunca fui aprendiz? Tornei-me aprendiz aos sete anos.’

‘É mesmo?’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, irritado porque seu elogio não havia sido merecido. ‘Eu não sabia que jovens eram colocados como aprendizes de - ’

‘Preguiça’, interrompeu Bounderby com uma risada alta. ‘Nem eu!’

Original English Version

‘Because those two were one. Because they were never asunder. Because, up to this time, he seemed to dote upon her,’ said Childers, taking a step or two to look into the empty trunk. Both Mr. Childers and Master Kidderminster walked in a curious manner; with their legs wider apart than the general run of men, and with a very knowing assumption of being stiff in the knees. This walk was common to all the male members of Sleary’s company, and was understood to express, that they were always on horseback.

‘Poor Sissy! He had better have apprenticed her,’ said Childers, giving his hair another shake, as he looked up from the empty box. ‘Now, he leaves her without anything to take to.’

‘It is creditable to you, who have never been apprenticed, to express that opinion,’ returned Mr. Gradgrind, approvingly.

‘_I_ never apprenticed? I was apprenticed when I was seven year old.’

‘Oh! Indeed?’ said Mr. Gradgrind, rather resentfully, as having been defrauded of his good opinion. ‘I was not aware of its being the custom to apprentice young persons to - ’

‘Idleness,’ Mr. Bounderby put in with a loud laugh. ‘No, by the Lord Harry! Nor I!’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Porque os dois eram um só. Porque nunca se separavam. Porque, até este momento, ele parecia adorá-la - disse Childers, dando um ou dois passos para olhar dentro do baú vazio. Tanto o Sr. Childers como Mestre Kidderminster caminhavam de maneira curiosa; com as pernas mais afastadas que as dos homens em geral e com uma afetada esperteza no aparente enrijecimento dos joelhos. Esse andar era comum a todos os integrantes homens da companhia de Sleary, e dava a entender que estavam sempre a cavalo.

- Pobre Sissy! Teria sido melhor que ele a houvesse posto como aprendiz - disse Childers, sacudindo outra vez os cabelos enquanto erguia os olhos da caixa vazia. - Agora ele a deixa sem nada a que recorrer.

- É digno de crédito que o senhor, que nunca foi aprendiz, expresse essa opinião - respondeu o Sr. Gradgrind, em tom de aprovação.

- _Eu_ nunca fui aprendiz? Fui posto como aprendiz aos sete anos de idade.

- Ah! De fato? - disse o Sr. Gradgrind, com certo ressentimento, como se houvesse sido privado de sua boa opinião. - Eu não sabia que era costume pôr jovens como aprendizes de...

- Ociosidade - interveio o Sr. Bounderby com uma risada sonora. - Não, por Deus! Nem eu!

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Ignorando Bounderby, Childers continuou: ‘O pai dela sempre quis que recebesse uma grande educação. Não sei por quê, mas ele nunca mudou de ideia. Durante sete anos, encontrou alguém para ensinar-lhe um pouco de leitura aqui, um pouco de escrita ali e aritmética em outro lugar.’

Childers tirou uma mão do bolso, passou-a pelo rosto e pelo queixo e olhou para o Sr. Gradgrind com muita dúvida e um pouco de esperança. Desde o início, tentava conquistar a simpatia de Gradgrind pela menina abandonada.

Ele continuou: ‘Quando Sissy entrou na escola daqui, o pai ficou muito contente. Eu não entendi por quê, pois viajamos de um lugar para outro. Talvez ele já planejasse partir e achasse que ela ficaria amparada. Se o senhor veio esta noite para oferecer-lhe alguma ajuda, seria muita sorte e chegaria na hora certa.’

‘Ao contrário’, respondeu o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Vim dizer que as relações familiares dela a tornavam inadequada para a escola e que deveria sair. Mesmo assim, se o pai realmente a abandonou sem que ela soubesse... Bounderby, deixe-me falar com você.’

Original English Version

‘Her father always had it in his head,’ resumed Childers, feigning unconsciousness of Mr. Bounderby’s existence, ‘that she was to be taught the deuce-and-all of education. How it got into his head, I can’t say; I can only say that it never got out. He has been picking up a bit of reading for her, here - and a bit of writing for her, there - and a bit of ciphering for her, somewhere else - these seven years.’

Mr. E. W. B. Childers took one of his hands out of his pockets, stroked his face and chin, and looked, with a good deal of doubt and a little hope, at Mr. Gradgrind. From the first he had sought to conciliate that gentleman, for the sake of the deserted girl.

‘When Sissy got into the school here,’ he pursued, ‘her father was as pleased as Punch. I couldn’t altogether make out why, myself, as we were not stationary here, being but comers and goers anywhere. I suppose, however, he had this move in his mind - he was always half-cracked - and then considered her provided for. If you should happen to have looked in to-night, for the purpose of telling him that you were going to do her any little service,’ said Mr. Childers, stroking his face again, and repeating his look, ‘it would be very fortunate and well-timed; very fortunate and well-timed.’

‘On the contrary,’ returned Mr. Gradgrind. ‘I came to tell him that her connections made her not an object for the school, and that she must not attend any more. Still, if her father really has left her, without any connivance on her part - Bounderby, let me have a word with you.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- O pai dela sempre teve na cabeça - retomou Childers, fingindo não perceber a existência do Sr. Bounderby - que ela devia receber uma educação de cabo a rabo. Como isso lhe entrou na cabeça, não sei dizer; só posso dizer que nunca mais saiu. Há sete anos ele vem conseguindo um pouco de leitura para ela aqui, um pouco de escrita ali e um pouco de aritmética em algum outro lugar.

O Sr. E. W. B. Childers tirou uma das mãos dos bolsos, acariciou o rosto e o queixo e olhou para o Sr. Gradgrind com muita dúvida e um pouco de esperança. Desde o princípio procurara conciliar aquele cavalheiro, pelo bem da menina abandonada.

- Quando Sissy entrou na escola daqui - prosseguiu - , o pai dela ficou contente como Punch. Eu mesmo não conseguia entender muito bem por quê, pois não ficávamos parados aqui, sendo apenas gente que vai e vem de todo lugar. Suponho, contudo, que ele tivesse esta mudança em mente - sempre foi meio pancada - e então a considerou amparada. Se acaso os senhores tivessem vindo esta noite com o propósito de lhe dizer que pretendiam prestar algum pequeno serviço a ela - disse o Sr. Childers, acariciando outra vez o rosto e repetindo o olhar - , seria muito afortunado e oportuno; muito afortunado e oportuno.

- Pelo contrário - respondeu o Sr. Gradgrind. - Vim dizer-lhe que as relações dela a tornavam imprópria para a escola, e que ela não devia mais frequentá-la. Ainda assim, se o pai realmente a deixou sem nenhuma conivência da parte dela... Bounderby, deixe-me trocar uma palavra com você.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Childers foi educadamente para o patamar e esperou, passando a mão pelo rosto e assobiando baixinho. Ouviu Bounderby dizer: ‘Não. Aconselho que não faça isso.’ Em voz mais baixa, Gradgrind respondeu: ‘Mas pense nela como um exemplo para Louisa de onde leva essa curiosidade vulgar e de como termina.’

Enquanto isso, os artistas de Sleary desceram aos poucos e se reuniram no quarto. Havia jovens, maridos, mães e muitas crianças que representavam fadas. Os homens faziam difíceis números de equilíbrio, dança, malabarismo, equitação e salto. As mulheres dançavam em cordas e montavam cavalos. Pareciam ousados e experientes, vestiam-se sem cuidado, viviam sem ordem e tinham pouca instrução. Mesmo assim, eram gentis e infantis, não gostavam de truques desonestos e estavam sempre prontos para ajudar e ter pena uns dos outros. Essas qualidades mereciam tanto respeito quanto as virtudes comuns de qualquer classe social.

O Sr. Sleary apareceu por último. Era um homem corpulento, com um olho fixo e outro inquieto. Sua voz parecia um fole quebrado, seu corpo era flácido e sua mente confusa nunca estava totalmente sóbria nem totalmente bêbada.

Original English Version

Upon this, Mr. Childers politely betook himself, with his equestrian walk, to the landing outside the door, and there stood stroking his face, and softly whistling. While thus engaged, he overheard such phrases in Mr. Bounderby’s voice as ‘No. _I_ say no. I advise you not. I say by no means.’ While, from Mr. Gradgrind, he heard in his much lower tone the words, ‘But even as an example to Louisa, of what this pursuit which has been the subject of a vulgar curiosity, leads to and ends in. Think of it, Bounderby, in that point of view.’

Meanwhile, the various members of Sleary’s company gradually gathered together from the upper regions, where they were quartered, and, from standing about, talking in low voices to one another and to Mr. Childers, gradually insinuated themselves and him into the room. There were two or three handsome young women among them, with their two or three husbands, and their two or three mothers, and their eight or nine little children, who did the fairy business when required. The father of one of the families was in the habit of balancing the father of another of the families on the top of a great pole; the father of a third family often made a pyramid of both those fathers, with Master Kidderminster for the apex, and himself for the base; all the fathers could dance upon rolling casks, stand upon bottles, catch knives and balls, twirl hand-basins, ride upon anything, jump over everything, and stick at nothing. All the mothers could (and did) dance, upon the slack wire and the tight-rope, and perform rapid acts on bare-backed steeds; none of them were at all particular in respect of showing their legs; and one of them, alone in a Greek chariot, drove six in hand into every town they came to. They all assumed to be mighty rakish and knowing, they were not very tidy in their private dresses, they were not at all orderly in their domestic arrangements, and the combined literature of the whole company would have produced but a poor letter on any subject. Yet there was a remarkable gentleness and childishness about these people, a special inaptitude for any kind of sharp practice, and an untiring readiness to help and pity one another, deserving often of as much respect, and always of as much generous construction, as the every-day virtues of any class of people in the world.

Last of all appeared Mr. Sleary: a stout man as already mentioned, with one fixed eye, and one loose eye, a voice (if it can be called so) like the efforts of a broken old pair of bellows, a flabby surface, and a muddled head which was never sober and never drunk.

Tradução Integral em Português

Diante disso, o Sr. Childers retirou-se educadamente, com seu andar equestre, para o patamar do lado de fora da porta, onde ficou acariciando o rosto e assobiando baixinho. Assim ocupado, ouviu da voz do Sr. Bounderby frases como: - Não. _Eu_ digo não. Aconselho-o a não fazer isso. Digo que de modo algum. - Ao passo que do Sr. Gradgrind ouviu, num tom muito mais baixo, as palavras: - Mas ainda que apenas como exemplo para Louisa, daquilo a que esta ocupação, que foi objeto de uma curiosidade vulgar, conduz e em que termina. Pense nisso, Bounderby, por esse ponto de vista.

Enquanto isso, os vários membros da companhia de Sleary reuniram-se aos poucos, vindos das regiões superiores, onde estavam alojados, e, depois de ficarem por ali conversando em voz baixa uns com os outros e com o Sr. Childers, foram pouco a pouco insinuando a si mesmos e a ele para dentro do quarto. Havia entre eles duas ou três jovens bonitas, com seus dois ou três maridos, suas duas ou três mães e seus oito ou nove filhinhos, que faziam o trabalho de fadas quando necessário. O pai de uma das famílias costumava equilibrar o pai de outra família no topo de uma grande vara; o pai de uma terceira família muitas vezes fazia uma pirâmide com ambos aqueles pais, tendo Mestre Kidderminster no ápice e a si mesmo como base; todos os pais sabiam dançar sobre barris rolantes, ficar de pé sobre garrafas, apanhar facas e bolas, girar bacias, cavalgar qualquer coisa, saltar por cima de tudo e não recuar diante de nada. Todas as mães sabiam (e de fato o faziam) dançar no arame frouxo e na corda bamba tesa e executar números velozes em cavalos sem sela; nenhuma delas tinha o menor escrúpulo em mostrar as pernas; e uma delas, sozinha numa biga grega, guiava seis cavalos em parelha por todas as cidades a que chegavam. Todos afetavam ser tremendamente devassos e sabidos, não eram muito asseados em suas roupas particulares, não eram nada ordeiros em seus arranjos domésticos, e a literatura combinada de toda a companhia teria produzido apenas uma carta sofrível sobre qualquer assunto. No entanto, havia nessas pessoas uma notável brandura e infantilidade, uma inaptidão especial para qualquer espécie de trapaça e uma incansável disposição para ajudar e compadecer-se umas das outras, que muitas vezes mereciam tanto respeito, e sempre uma interpretação tão generosa, quanto as virtudes cotidianas de qualquer classe de pessoas no mundo.

Por último apareceu o Sr. Sleary: um homem corpulento, como já foi mencionado, com um olho fixo e outro solto, uma voz (se assim se pode chamá-la) semelhante aos esforços de um velho fole quebrado, uma superfície flácida e uma cabeça confusa que nunca estava sóbria nem bêbada.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

‘Senhor’, disse o asmático Sr. Sleary, cuja respiração pesada dificultava a pronúncia da letra s. ‘Este é um caso ruim. Soube que meu palhaço e o cachorro dele parecem ter desaparecido?’

Ele falou com o Sr. Gradgrind, que respondeu: ‘Sim.’

Sleary tirou o chapéu e esfregou o forro com o lenço que guardava dentro dele. ‘O senhor pretende fazer alguma coisa pela pobre menina?’, perguntou.

‘Terei uma proposta para ela quando voltar’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind.

‘Fico feliz em ouvir isso, senhor’, disse Sleary. ‘Não quero mandar a criança embora nem impedir seu futuro. Estou disposto a aceitá-la como aprendiz, embora ela já seja um pouco velha para começar. Minha voz é rouca e difícil para estranhos entenderem, mas anos passando do calor ao frio no picadeiro acabaram com ela.’

‘Tenho certeza de que acabariam’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind.

Original English Version

‘Thquire!’ said Mr. Sleary, who was troubled with asthma, and whose breath came far too thick and heavy for the letter s, ‘Your thervant! Thith ith a bad piethe of bithnith, thith ith. You’ve heard of my Clown and hith dog being thuppothed to have morrithed?’

He addressed Mr. Gradgrind, who answered ‘Yes.’

‘Well, Thquire,’ he returned, taking off his hat, and rubbing the lining with his pocket-handkerchief, which he kept inside for the purpose. ‘Ith it your intenthion to do anything for the poor girl, Thquire?’

‘I shall have something to propose to her when she comes back,’ said Mr. Gradgrind.

‘Glad to hear it, Thquire. Not that I want to get rid of the child, any more than I want to thtand in her way. I’m willing to take her prentith, though at her age ith late. My voithe ith a little huthky, Thquire, and not eathy heard by them ath don’t know me; but if you’d been chilled and heated, heated and chilled, chilled and heated in the ring when you wath young, ath often ath I have been, _your_ voithe wouldn’t have lathted out, Thquire, no more than mine.’

‘I dare say not,’ said Mr. Gradgrind.

Tradução Integral em Português

- Thenhor! - disse o Sr. Sleary, que sofria de asma e cuja respiração era espessa e pesada demais para a letra s. - Theu criado! Itho é um péthimo negóthio, é, thim. Já ouviu que meu Palhatho e o cachorro dele thohtamente deram no pé?

Ele se dirigia ao Sr. Gradgrind, que respondeu: - Sim.

- Muito bem, thenhor - replicou, tirando o chapéu e esfregando o forro com o lenço que guardava dentro dele para esse fim. - É thua intenthão fazer alguma coitha pela pobre menina, thenhor?

- Terei algo a lhe propor quando ela voltar - disse o Sr. Gradgrind.

- Fico contente em thaber, thenhor. Não que eu queira me livrar da criantça, tanto quanto não quero atrapalhar o caminho dela. Eu topo tomá-la como aprenditha, embora na idade dela theja tarde. Minha voth é um pouco rouca, thenhor, e não é fácil de ouvir por quem não me conhethe; mas, the tivessem esfriado e esquentado o thenhor, esquentado e esfriado, esfriado e esquentado no picadeiro quando era jovem, tantas vezeth quanto eu, _thua_ voth não teria durado, thenhor, não mais que a minha.

- Imagino que não - disse o Sr. Gradgrind.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

‘O que vai beber enquanto espera, senhor? Pode ser xerez? Escolha sua bebida!’, disse o Sr. Sleary com cordialidade.

‘Nada para mim, obrigado’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind.

‘Não diga nada, senhor. O que seu amigo quer? Se ainda não comeu, tome um copo de bebida amarga.’

Josephine, filha de Sleary, era uma bonita jovem loira de dezoito anos. Apresentava-se a cavalo desde os dois anos e carregava um testamento pedindo que dois pôneis malhados puxassem seu carro funerário. Ela gritou: ‘Pai, fique quieto! Sissy voltou!’ Sissy entrou correndo, viu todos reunidos e o pai ausente, e começou a chorar terrivelmente. Refugiou-se nos braços de Emma Gordon, uma equilibrista grávida, que se ajoelhou para consolá-la e chorou com ela.

‘É uma vergonha terrível, de verdade’, disse Sleary.

Original English Version

‘What thall it be, Thquire, while you wait? Thall it be Therry? Give it a name, Thquire!’ said Mr. Sleary, with hospitable ease.

‘Nothing for me, I thank you,’ said Mr. Gradgrind.

‘Don’t thay nothing, Thquire. What doth your friend thay? If you haven’t took your feed yet, have a glath of bitterth.’

Here his daughter Josephine - a pretty fair-haired girl of eighteen, who had been tied on a horse at two years old, and had made a will at twelve, which she always carried about with her, expressive of her dying desire to be drawn to the grave by the two piebald ponies - cried, ‘Father, hush! she has come back!’ Then came Sissy Jupe, running into the room as she had run out of it. And when she saw them all assembled, and saw their looks, and saw no father there, she broke into a most deplorable cry, and took refuge on the bosom of the most accomplished tight-rope lady (herself in the family-way), who knelt down on the floor to nurse her, and to weep over her.

‘Ith an internal thame, upon my thoul it ith,’ said Sleary.

Tradução Integral em Português

- O que vai ther, thenhor, enquanto ethpera? Vai ther Xerez? Diga o nome, thenhor! - disse o Sr. Sleary, com desenvoltura hospitaleira.

- Nada para mim, obrigado - disse o Sr. Gradgrind.

- Não diga nada, thenhor. O que theu amigo dith? The ainda não comeu, tome um copo de bíter.

Nesse momento sua filha Josephine - uma bonita moça loira de dezoito anos, que fora amarrada a um cavalo aos dois anos e fizera aos doze um testamento, que sempre carregava consigo, expressando seu desejo derradeiro de ser conduzida ao túmulo pelos dois pôneis malhados - exclamou: - Papai, silêncio! Ela voltou! - Então entrou correndo no quarto Sissy Jupe, tal como saíra correndo dele. E, quando viu todos reunidos, viu os olhares deles e não viu pai algum ali, irrompeu num pranto deplorável e buscou refúgio no peito da mais perfeita equilibrista da corda bamba (ela mesma grávida), que se ajoelhou no chão para acalentá-la e chorar por ela.

- É uma vergonha infernal, pela minha alma, é thim - disse Sleary.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

‘Meu querido e bondoso pai, aonde foi? Sei que foi tentar me ajudar! Foi embora por minha causa! Como ficará infeliz e desamparado sem mim até voltar!’ Ela dizia essas coisas com o rosto erguido e os braços estendidos, como se tentasse deter e abraçar a sombra dele que desaparecia. Era tão doloroso que ninguém falou até o impaciente Sr. Bounderby assumir o controle.

Bounderby disse: ‘Boa gente, isto é uma completa perda de tempo. Façam a menina entender os fatos. Ela pode ouvi-los de mim, pois também fui abandonado. Menina, seu pai fugiu e a abandonou. Não espere vê-lo novamente enquanto viver.’

Essas pessoas davam tão pouca importância aos fatos simples que as palavras de Bounderby não as impressionaram. Em vez disso, ficaram muito zangadas. Os homens murmuraram: ‘Que vergonha!’, e as mulheres disseram: ‘Bruto!’ Sleary logo deu um conselho particular a Bounderby.

Original English Version

‘O my dear father, my good kind father, where are you gone? You are gone to try to do me some good, I know! You are gone away for my sake, I am sure! And how miserable and helpless you will be without me, poor, poor father, until you come back!’ It was so pathetic to hear her saying many things of this kind, with her face turned upward, and her arms stretched out as if she were trying to stop his departing shadow and embrace it, that no one spoke a word until Mr. Bounderby (growing impatient) took the case in hand.

‘Now, good people all,’ said he, ‘this is wanton waste of time. Let the girl understand the fact. Let her take it from me, if you like, who have been run away from, myself. Here, what’s your name! Your father has absconded - deserted you - and you mustn’t expect to see him again as long as you live.’

They cared so little for plain Fact, these people, and were in that advanced state of degeneracy on the subject, that instead of being impressed by the speaker’s strong common sense, they took it in extraordinary dudgeon. The men muttered ‘Shame!’ and the women ‘Brute!’ and Sleary, in some haste, communicated the following hint, apart to Mr. Bounderby.

Tradução Integral em Português

- Ah, meu querido pai, meu bom e bondoso pai, aonde foi? Foi tentar fazer algum bem para mim, eu sei! Foi embora por minha causa, tenho certeza! E como ficará infeliz e desamparado sem mim, pobre, pobre pai, até voltar! - Era tão comovente ouvi-la dizer muitas coisas desse gênero, com o rosto voltado para cima e os braços estendidos, como se tentasse deter a sombra do pai que partia e abraçá-la, que ninguém disse palavra até o Sr. Bounderby (ficando impaciente) tomar o caso em suas mãos.

- Pois bem, minha boa gente - disse ele - , isto é um desperdício gratuito de tempo. Façam a menina compreender o fato. Que ela o ouça de mim, se quiserem, pois eu mesmo fui abandonado. Ei, como é o seu nome! Seu pai fugiu - abandonou-a - e você não deve esperar vê-lo outra vez enquanto viver.

Essa gente ligava tão pouco para o Fato puro e simples, e estava em tão avançado estado de degeneração quanto a esse assunto, que, em vez de se impressionar com o vigoroso bom senso do orador, recebeu-o com extraordinária indignação. Os homens resmungaram: - Que vergonha! - e as mulheres: - Monstro! - ; e Sleary, um tanto apressado, comunicou em particular ao Sr. Bounderby a seguinte advertência.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Sleary disse: ‘Vou falar com clareza, senhor. É melhor parar e não dizer mais nada. Meu pessoal é muito bondoso, mas se move depressa. Se ignorar meu conselho, acredito que vão jogá-lo pela janela.’

Esse aviso gentil silenciou o Sr. Bounderby e deu ao Sr. Gradgrind a oportunidade de apresentar sua visão prática do assunto.

‘Não importa se esse homem poderá voltar algum dia ou não’, disse Gradgrind. ‘Ele foi embora e, no momento, ninguém espera que volte. Creio que todos concordam com isso.’

‘Isso está acertado, senhor. Fique nesse ponto!’, disse Sleary.

Gradgrind continuou: ‘Vim dizer ao pai de Jupe que ela não poderia mais frequentar a escola, pois temos objeções a aceitar filhos de gente do circo. Mas a situação mudou, então me ofereço para cuidar de você, Jupe, educá-la e sustentá-la. Além de se comportar bem, deve decidir agora se vem comigo ou fica aqui. Se vier, não poderá mais ter contato com nenhum dos amigos presentes.’

Original English Version

‘I tell you what, Thquire. To thpeak plain to you, my opinion ith that you had better cut it thort, and drop it. They’re a very good natur’d people, my people, but they’re accuthtomed to be quick in their movementh; and if you don’t act upon my advithe, I’m damned if I don’t believe they’ll pith you out o’ winder.’

Mr. Bounderby being restrained by this mild suggestion, Mr. Gradgrind found an opening for his eminently practical exposition of the subject.

‘It is of no moment,’ said he, ‘whether this person is to be expected back at any time, or the contrary. He is gone away, and there is no present expectation of his return. That, I believe, is agreed on all hands.’

‘Thath agreed, Thquire. Thick to that!’ From Sleary.

‘Well then. I, who came here to inform the father of the poor girl, Jupe, that she could not be received at the school any more, in consequence of there being practical objections, into which I need not enter, to the reception there of the children of persons so employed, am prepared in these altered circumstances to make a proposal. I am willing to take charge of you, Jupe, and to educate you, and provide for you. The only condition (over and above your good behaviour) I make is, that you decide now, at once, whether to accompany me or remain here. Also, that if you accompany me now, it is understood that you communicate no more with any of your friends who are here present. These observations comprise the whole of the case.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Vou lhe dizer uma coitha, thenhor. Falando claro, minha opinião é que é melhor encurtar a convertha e parar por aí. Minha gente é muito boa, muito bondotha, mas ethtá acostumada a movimentos rápidoth; e, the não theguir meu conthselho, que eu theja maldito the não acredito que vão jogar o thenhor pela janela.

Contido o Sr. Bounderby por essa branda sugestão, o Sr. Gradgrind encontrou uma abertura para sua eminentemente prática exposição do assunto.

- Não tem importância - disse ele - se devemos esperar ou não que essa pessoa volte algum dia. Ele foi embora, e no presente não há expectativa de seu retorno. Creio que nisso todos estão de acordo.

- Itho ethtá combinado, thenhor. Fique com itho! - Da parte de Sleary.

- Muito bem, então. Eu, que vim aqui informar ao pai da pobre menina, Jupe, que ela não poderia mais ser aceita na escola, em consequência de objeções práticas, nas quais não preciso entrar, à admissão de filhos de pessoas assim empregadas, estou preparado, nestas circunstâncias alteradas, para fazer uma proposta. Estou disposto a tomar conta de você, Jupe, educá-la e sustentá-la. A única condição que imponho (além de seu bom comportamento) é que decida agora, imediatamente, se me acompanhará ou ficará aqui. Também, se me acompanhar agora, fica entendido que não mais se comunicará com nenhum de seus amigos aqui presentes. Essas observações compreendem a totalidade do caso.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Sleary disse: ‘Também preciso falar para que ela ouça as duas opções. Cecilia, se quiser tornar-se aprendiz, conhece o trabalho e seus companheiros. Emma Gordon seria uma mãe para você, e Josephine, uma irmã. Não sou nenhum anjo e, se falhasse num número, eu poderia ficar zangado e praguejar. Mas nunca fiz mal a um cavalo além de xingá-lo, e na minha idade não começarei a tratar uma amazona de modo diferente. Já disse o que precisava dizer.’

O fim do discurso de Sleary foi dirigido ao Sr. Gradgrind, que assentiu com seriedade e depois falou.

‘Jupe, direi apenas uma coisa para influenciar sua escolha. Uma educação prática e sólida é muito desejável e, pelo que ouvi, até seu pai entendia isso e queria o mesmo para você.’

As últimas palavras dele claramente a afetaram. Ela parou de chorar desesperadamente, afastou-se um pouco de Emma Gordon e olhou diretamente para Gradgrind. Todos perceberam a mudança e respiraram fundo, como se dissessem: ‘Ela vai!’

Original English Version

‘At the thame time,’ said Sleary, ‘I mutht put in my word, Thquire, tho that both thides of the banner may be equally theen. If you like, Thethilia, to be prentitht, you know the natur of the work and you know your companionth. Emma Gordon, in whothe lap you’re a lying at prethent, would be a mother to you, and Joth’phine would be a thithter to you. I don’t pretend to be of the angel breed myself, and I don’t thay but what, when you mith’d your tip, you’d find me cut up rough, and thwear an oath or two at you. But what I thay, Thquire, ith, that good tempered or bad tempered, I never did a horthe a injury yet, no more than thwearing at him went, and that I don’t expect I thall begin otherwithe at my time of life, with a rider. I never wath much of a Cackler, Thquire, and I have thed my thay.’

The latter part of this speech was addressed to Mr. Gradgrind, who received it with a grave inclination of his head, and then remarked:

‘The only observation I will make to you, Jupe, in the way of influencing your decision, is, that it is highly desirable to have a sound practical education, and that even your father himself (from what I understand) appears, on your behalf, to have known and felt that much.’

The last words had a visible effect upon her. She stopped in her wild crying, a little detached herself from Emma Gordon, and turned her face full upon her patron. The whole company perceived the force of the change, and drew a long breath together, that plainly said, ‘she will go!’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Ao methmo tempo - disse Sleary - , eu tenho de dar minha palavra, thenhor, para que oth doith ladoth da bandeira thejam igualmente vistoth. The quer, Cecília, ther aprenditha, você conhethe a natureza do trabalho e conhethe theuth companheiroth. Emma Gordon, no colo de quem ethtá deitada agora, theria uma mãe para você, e Josephine theria uma irmã. Não finjo ther da raça doth anjoth, e não digo que, quando errathe o número, não me encontraria bravo e soltando um ou doith palavrõeth para você. Mas o que digo, thenhor, é que, de bom ou mau humor, nunca fiz mal a cavalo algum, a não ther xingá-lo, e não espero que vá comethar a fazer diferente na minha idade com uma amazona. Nunca fui grande Falador, thenhor, e já dithe o que tinha a dizer.

A última parte desse discurso era dirigida ao Sr. Gradgrind, que a recebeu com uma grave inclinação de cabeça e então observou:

- A única observação que lhe farei, Jupe, como forma de influenciar sua decisão, é que é altamente desejável ter uma educação prática sólida, e que até mesmo seu próprio pai (pelo que compreendo) parece, por sua causa, ter sabido e sentido isso.

As últimas palavras tiveram sobre ela um efeito visível. Ela conteve o pranto desvairado, desprendeu-se um pouco de Emma Gordon e voltou o rosto por inteiro para seu protetor. Toda a companhia percebeu a força da mudança e respirou fundo em conjunto, dizendo claramente: - Ela irá!

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

O Sr. Gradgrind advertiu-a: ‘Tenha certeza de que sabe o que quer, Jupe. Não direi mais nada. Esteja certa de sua decisão.’

Depois de um minuto de silêncio, a menina voltou a chorar. ‘Quando meu pai voltar, como vai me encontrar se eu for embora?’

O Sr. Gradgrind resolveu calmamente o problema como uma conta matemática. ‘Não precisa se preocupar com isso, Jupe. Nesse caso, seu pai teria de procurar o Sr. - ’

‘Sleary. Esse é meu nome, senhor. Não tenho vergonha dele. Sou conhecido em toda a Inglaterra e sempre pago minhas dívidas.’

‘Seu pai procuraria o Sr. Sleary, que lhe diria para onde você foi. Eu não poderia mantê-la contra a vontade dele, e ele poderia encontrar facilmente o Sr. Thomas Gradgrind de Coketown a qualquer momento. Sou bem conhecido.’

‘Bem conhecido’, concordou Sleary, girando o olho inquieto. ‘O senhor é o tipo de cavalheiro que mantém muito dinheiro longe de nossos espetáculos. Mas isso não importa agora.’

Original English Version

‘Be sure you know your own mind, Jupe,’ Mr. Gradgrind cautioned her; ‘I say no more. Be sure you know your own mind!’

‘When father comes back,’ cried the girl, bursting into tears again after a minute’s silence, ‘how will he ever find me if I go away!’

‘You may be quite at ease,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, calmly; he worked out the whole matter like a sum: ‘you may be quite at ease, Jupe, on that score. In such a case, your father, I apprehend, must find out Mr. - ’

‘Thleary. Thath my name, Thquire. Not athamed of it. Known all over England, and alwayth paythe ith way.’

‘Must find out Mr. Sleary, who would then let him know where you went. I should have no power of keeping you against his wish, and he would have no difficulty, at any time, in finding Mr. Thomas Gradgrind of Coketown. I am well known.’

‘Well known,’ assented Mr. Sleary, rolling his loose eye. ‘You’re one of the thort, Thquire, that keepth a prethiouth thight of money out of the houthe. But never mind that at prethent.’

Tradução Integral em Português

- Tenha certeza de saber o que quer, Jupe - advertiu-a o Sr. Gradgrind. - Não digo mais nada. Tenha certeza de saber o que quer!

- Quando papai voltar - gritou a menina, tornando a irromper em lágrimas após um minuto de silêncio - , como algum dia me encontrará se eu for embora?

- Pode ficar completamente tranquila - disse o Sr. Gradgrind, calmamente; ele resolvia toda a questão como uma conta. - Pode ficar completamente tranquila, Jupe, quanto a isso. Nesse caso, creio que seu pai deverá procurar o Sr...

- Thleary. Ethe é meu nome, thenhor. Não me envergonho dele. Conhetchido por toda a Inglaterra e thsempre paga o que deve.

- Deverá procurar o Sr. Sleary, que então lhe diria para onde você foi. Eu não teria poder de retê-la contra a vontade dele, e ele não teria dificuldade alguma, a qualquer momento, para encontrar o Sr. Thomas Gradgrind de Coketown. Sou muito conhecido.

- Muito conhetchido - concordou o Sr. Sleary, girando o olho solto. - É doth tais, thenhor, que mantém uma quantia danada de dinheiro fora da catha. Mas não importa agora.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Depois de outro silêncio, Sissy cobriu o rosto e gritou: ‘Ah, deem-me minhas roupas e deixem-me partir antes que meu coração se parta!’

As mulheres reuniram com tristeza as poucas roupas dela e as colocaram numa cesta que viajara muitas vezes com o grupo. Sissy ficou sentada no chão, chorando e cobrindo os olhos. Gradgrind e Bounderby esperavam perto da porta para levá-la. Sleary ficou no meio, com os homens ao redor, exatamente como permanecia no picadeiro durante o número de Josephine. Faltava apenas o chicote.

Quando a cesta ficou pronta, as mulheres trouxeram o chapéu de Sissy, alisaram seus cabelos desarrumados e o colocaram nela. Reuniram-se ao redor, beijaram-na e abraçaram-na, e trouxeram as crianças para se despedirem. Eram mulheres simples e tolas, mas de coração muito bondoso.

‘Agora, Jupe’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind. ‘Se está totalmente decidida, venha!’

Original English Version

There was another silence; and then she exclaimed, sobbing with her hands before her face, ‘Oh, give me my clothes, give me my clothes, and let me go away before I break my heart!’

The women sadly bestirred themselves to get the clothes together - it was soon done, for they were not many - and to pack them in a basket which had often travelled with them. Sissy sat all the time upon the ground, still sobbing, and covering her eyes. Mr. Gradgrind and his friend Bounderby stood near the door, ready to take her away. Mr. Sleary stood in the middle of the room, with the male members of the company about him, exactly as he would have stood in the centre of the ring during his daughter Josephine’s performance. He wanted nothing but his whip.

The basket packed in silence, they brought her bonnet to her, and smoothed her disordered hair, and put it on. Then they pressed about her, and bent over her in very natural attitudes, kissing and embracing her: and brought the children to take leave of her; and were a tender-hearted, simple, foolish set of women altogether.

‘Now, Jupe,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘If you are quite determined, come!’

Tradução Integral em Português

Houve outro silêncio; então ela exclamou, soluçando com as mãos diante do rosto: - Ah, deem-me minhas roupas, deem-me minhas roupas e deixem-me ir embora antes que meu coração se parta!

As mulheres puseram-se tristemente em movimento para juntar as roupas - logo terminaram, pois não eram muitas - e arrumá-las numa cesta que muitas vezes viajara com elas. Sissy ficou o tempo todo sentada no chão, ainda soluçando e cobrindo os olhos. O Sr. Gradgrind e seu amigo Bounderby estavam perto da porta, prontos para levá-la embora. O Sr. Sleary ficou no meio do quarto, com os integrantes homens da companhia ao redor, exatamente como ficaria no centro do picadeiro durante o número de sua filha Josephine. Só lhe faltava o chicote.

Depois de arrumada a cesta em silêncio, trouxeram-lhe o chapéu, alisaram-lhe os cabelos em desalinho e o puseram nela. Então se aglomeraram ao seu redor e inclinaram-se sobre ela em atitudes muito naturais, beijando-a e abraçando-a; e trouxeram as crianças para se despedir; e eram, em suma, um grupo de mulheres de coração terno, simples e tolas.

- Agora, Jupe - disse o Sr. Gradgrind. - Se está absolutamente decidida, venha!

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Mas Sissy ainda precisava despedir-se dos homens. Cada artista abriu os braços cruzados e a beijou, exceto Kidderminster. Ele era naturalmente pouco amistoso, já esperara casar-se com ela e se afastou de mau humor. Sleary veio por último. Abriu os braços, segurou as duas mãos dela e normalmente a teria erguido para cima e para baixo, como um mestre de equitação cumprimenta uma artista. Mas Sissy não reagiu e apenas ficou chorando.

‘Adeus, minha querida’, disse Sleary. ‘Espero que faça fortuna, e prometo que nenhum de nós, pobres artistas, vai incomodá-la. Queria que seu pai não tivesse levado o cachorro, pois é inconveniente tirar o animal dos anúncios. Mas o cachorro não se apresentaria sem o dono, então não faz diferença.’

Sleary olhou atentamente para Sissy com o olho fixo e para sua companhia com o olho inquieto. Depois a beijou, balançou a cabeça e a entregou ao Sr. Gradgrind como se ela fosse um cavalo.

Original English Version

But she had to take her farewell of the male part of the company yet, and every one of them had to unfold his arms (for they all assumed the professional attitude when they found themselves near Sleary), and give her a parting kiss - Master Kidderminster excepted, in whose young nature there was an original flavour of the misanthrope, who was also known to have harboured matrimonial views, and who moodily withdrew. Mr. Sleary was reserved until the last. Opening his arms wide he took her by both her hands, and would have sprung her up and down, after the riding-master manner of congratulating young ladies on their dismounting from a rapid act; but there was no rebound in Sissy, and she only stood before him crying.

‘Good-bye, my dear!’ said Sleary. ‘You’ll make your fortun, I hope, and none of our poor folkth will ever trouble you, I’ll pound it. I with your father hadn’t taken hith dog with him; ith a ill-conwenienth to have the dog out of the billth. But on thecond thoughth, he wouldn’t have performed without hith mathter, tho ith ath broad ath ith long!’

With that he regarded her attentively with his fixed eye, surveyed his company with his loose one, kissed her, shook his head, and handed her to Mr. Gradgrind as to a horse.

Tradução Integral em Português

Mas ainda precisava despedir-se da parte masculina da companhia, e cada um deles tinha de descruzar os braços (pois todos assumiam a atitude profissional quando se viam perto de Sleary) e dar-lhe um beijo de despedida - exceto Mestre Kidderminster, em cuja jovem natureza havia um sabor inato de misantropo, que também era conhecido por alimentar intenções matrimoniais e que se retirou soturnamente. O Sr. Sleary foi reservado para o fim. Abrindo bem os braços, tomou-a pelas duas mãos e teria feito com que saltasse para cima e para baixo, à maneira dos mestres de equitação ao cumprimentarem jovens senhoritas quando desmontavam de um número veloz; mas não havia impulso em Sissy, e ela apenas ficou diante dele chorando.

- Adeuth, minha querida! - disse Sleary. - Ethpero que faça fortuna, e nenhuma de notha pobre gente jamais vai incomodá-la, eu lhe garanto. Eu queria que theu pai não tivesse levado o cachorro; é um transtorno danado ter o cachorro fora doth cartazeth. Mas, pensando melhor, ele não teria the apresentado them o dono, portanto dá no methmo!

Com isso, ele a contemplou atentamente com o olho fixo, examinou a companhia com o olho solto, beijou-a, sacudiu a cabeça e entregou-a ao Sr. Gradgrind como se fosse um cavalo.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“Aí está ela, senhor”, disse Sleary, examinando-a com olhar profissional. “Ela lhe fará justiça. Adeus, Cecilia!”

“Adeus, Cecilia!” “Adeus, Sissy!” “Deus a abençoe, querida!”, disseram muitas vozes pela sala.

Sleary notou o frasco dos nove óleos dentro do vestido dela. “Deixe-o, querida. É grande e não terá utilidade agora. Dê-o a mim.”

“Não!”, exclamou ela entre novas lágrimas. “Por favor, deixe-me guardá-lo para papai até que volte. Ele vai precisar. Não planejava partir quando me mandou comprá-lo.”

“Que assim seja, querida”, disse Sleary. “Cumpra o acordo, obedeça ao cavalheiro e esqueça-nos. Mas, quando crescer e estiver bem, não julgue com dureza os artistas do circo. Ajude-os se puder. As pessoas precisam se divertir; não podem trabalhar ou estudar o tempo todo. Veja o melhor em nós, não o pior. Essa é minha filosofia.”

Sleary continuou explicando sua filosofia enquanto desciam. Logo seu olho imóvel e seu olho inquieto perderam de vista as três pessoas e a cesta na rua escura.

Original English Version

‘There the ith, Thquire,’ he said, sweeping her with a professional glance as if she were being adjusted in her seat, ‘and the’ll do you juthtithe. Good-bye, Thethilia!’

‘Good-bye, Cecilia!’ ‘Good-bye, Sissy!’ ‘God bless you, dear!’ In a variety of voices from all the room.

But the riding-master eye had observed the bottle of the nine oils in her bosom, and he now interposed with ‘Leave the bottle, my dear; ith large to carry; it will be of no uthe to you now. Give it to me!’

‘No, no!’ she said, in another burst of tears. ‘Oh, no! Pray let me keep it for father till he comes back! He will want it when he comes back. He had never thought of going away, when he sent me for it. I must keep it for him, if you please!’

‘Tho be it, my dear. (You thee how it ith, Thquire!) Farewell, Thethilia! My latht wordth to you ith thith, Thtick to the termth of your engagement, be obedient to the Thquire, and forget uth. But if, when you’re grown up and married and well off, you come upon any horthe-riding ever, don’t be hard upon it, don’t be croth with it, give it a Bethpeak if you can, and think you might do wurth. People mutht be amuthed, Thquire, thomehow,’ continued Sleary, rendered more pursy than ever, by so much talking; ‘they can’t be alwayth a working, nor yet they can’t be alwayth a learning. Make the betht of uth; not the wurtht. I’ve got my living out of the horthe-riding all my life, I know; but I conthider that I lay down the philothophy of the thubject when I thay to you, Thquire, make the betht of uth: not the wurtht!’

The Sleary philosophy was propounded as they went downstairs and the fixed eye of Philosophy - and its rolling eye, too - soon lost the three figures and the basket in the darkness of the street.

Tradução Integral em Português

‘Aí ethtá ela, thenhor’, disse ele, percorrendo-a com um olhar profissional, como se a estivessem acomodando no assento, ‘e ela lhe fará juthtiça. Adeuth, Thethilia!’

‘Adeus, Cecilia!’ ‘Adeus, Sissy!’ ‘Deus a abençoe, querida!’ Em variadas vozes vindas de toda a sala.

Mas o olho do mestre de equitação observara em seu peito o frasco dos nove óleos, e ele então interveio: ‘Deixe o frathco, minha querida; é grande para carregar; agora não terá utilidade para você. Dê-o a mim!’

‘Não, não!’, disse ela, numa nova explosão de lágrimas. ‘Ah, não! Por favor, deixe-me guardá-lo para papai até ele voltar! Vai precisar dele quando voltar. Ele nunca pensara em ir embora quando me mandou buscá-lo. Preciso guardá-lo para ele, por favor!’

‘Athim theja, minha querida. (O thenhor vê como é!) Adeuth, Thethilia! Minhas últimath palavrath a você thão ethtath: cumpra ath condiçõeth de theu compromitho, obedeça ao thenhor e etqueça a gente. Math, quando ethtiver crethcida, cathada e em boa thituação, the um dia deparar com alguma equitação, não theja dura com ela, não the zangue com ela, dê-lhe uma recomendação, the puder, e penthe que poderia fazer pior. Ath pethoath têm de the divertir de algum modo, thenhor’, continuou Sleary, mais ofegante do que nunca de tanto falar; ‘não podem ethtar thempre trabalhando, nem podem tampouco ethtar thempre aprendendo. Tire o melhor de nóth, não o pior. Ganhei a vida com a equitação a vida inteira, eu thei; math conthidero que ethtabeleço a filothofia do athunto quando lhe digo, thenhor, tire o melhor de nóth, não o pior!’

A filosofia de Sleary foi exposta enquanto desciam a escada, e o olho fixo da Filosofia - bem como seu olho giratório - logo perdeu de vista na escuridão da rua as três figuras e o cesto.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

CHAPTER VII Mrs. Sparsit

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Como o Sr. Bounderby era solteiro, uma senhora mais velha administrava sua casa por um salário anual. Chamava-se Sra. Sparsit. Bounderby exibia-a com orgulho ao seu lado, embora sempre afirmasse ser humilde.

A Sra. Sparsit vivera melhor no passado e vinha de uma família importante. Sua tia-avó era Lady Scadgers, e o falecido marido pertencia, pelo lado materno, à antiga família Powler. Os Powlers tinham uma longa história, embora muitas vezes perdessem dinheiro com cavalos, jogos, empréstimos e dívidas.

Lady Scadgers organizou o casamento entre o jovem Sr. Sparsit e sua parente mais velha. Ele herdou dinheiro, mas já o gastara antecipadamente. Morreu aos vinte e quatro anos em Calais por causa da aguardente, deixando pobre a esposa de quem vivia separado. Depois de brigar com Lady Scadgers, a viúva aceitou trabalho remunerado. Agora, mais velha e ainda orgulhosa, a Sra. Sparsit preparava o chá do café da manhã de Bounderby.

Bounderby exibia a Sra. Sparsit como um conquistador mostrando uma princesa capturada. Rebaixava suas próprias origens e elogiava as dela. Descrevia a juventude dela como totalmente privilegiada e depois se gabava de que agora administrava a casa de Josiah Bounderby por cem libras anuais.

Original English Version

MR. BOUNDERBY being a bachelor, an elderly lady presided over his establishment, in consideration of a certain annual stipend. Mrs. Sparsit was this lady’s name; and she was a prominent figure in attendance on Mr. Bounderby’s car, as it rolled along in triumph with the Bully of humility inside.

For, Mrs. Sparsit had not only seen different days, but was highly connected. She had a great aunt living in these very times called Lady Scadgers. Mr. Sparsit, deceased, of whom she was the relict, had been by the mother’s side what Mrs. Sparsit still called ‘a Powler.’ Strangers of limited information and dull apprehension were sometimes observed not to know what a Powler was, and even to appear uncertain whether it might be a business, or a political party, or a profession of faith. The better class of minds, however, did not need to be informed that the Powlers were an ancient stock, who could trace themselves so exceedingly far back that it was not surprising if they sometimes lost themselves - which they had rather frequently done, as respected horse-flesh, blind-hookey, Hebrew monetary transactions, and the Insolvent Debtors’ Court.

The late Mr. Sparsit, being by the mother’s side a Powler, married this lady, being by the father’s side a Scadgers. Lady Scadgers (an immensely fat old woman, with an inordinate appetite for butcher’s meat, and a mysterious leg which had now refused to get out of bed for fourteen years) contrived the marriage, at a period when Sparsit was just of age, and chiefly noticeable for a slender body, weakly supported on two long slim props, and surmounted by no head worth mentioning. He inherited a fair fortune from his uncle, but owed it all before he came into it, and spent it twice over immediately afterwards. Thus, when he died, at twenty-four (the scene of his decease, Calais, and the cause, brandy), he did not leave his widow, from whom he had been separated soon after the honeymoon, in affluent circumstances. That bereaved lady, fifteen years older than he, fell presently at deadly feud with her only relative, Lady Scadgers; and, partly to spite her ladyship, and partly to maintain herself, went out at a salary. And here she was now, in her elderly days, with the Coriolanian style of nose and the dense black eyebrows which had captivated Sparsit, making Mr. Bounderby’s tea as he took his breakfast.

If Bounderby had been a Conqueror, and Mrs. Sparsit a captive Princess whom he took about as a feature in his state-processions, he could not have made a greater flourish with her than he habitually did. Just as it belonged to his boastfulness to depreciate his own extraction, so it belonged to it to exalt Mrs. Sparsit’s. In the measure that he would not allow his own youth to have been attended by a single favourable circumstance, he brightened Mrs. Sparsit’s juvenile career with every possible advantage, and showered waggon-loads of early roses all over that lady’s path. ‘And yet, sir,’ he would say, ‘how does it turn out after all? Why here she is at a hundred a year (I give her a hundred, which she is pleased to term handsome), keeping the house of Josiah Bounderby of Coketown!’

Tradução Integral em Português

COMO O SR. BOUNDERBY era solteiro, uma senhora idosa presidia seu estabelecimento em troca de certa remuneração anual. Essa senhora se chamava Sra. Sparsit; e era uma figura proeminente no séquito da carruagem do Sr. Bounderby, enquanto esta avançava triunfalmente levando dentro de si o Valentão da humildade.

Pois a Sra. Sparsit não apenas conhecera dias diferentes, como também tinha relações muito elevadas. Tinha uma tia-avó ainda viva naqueles tempos chamada Lady Scadgers. O falecido Sr. Sparsit, de quem ela era viúva, fora, pelo lado materno, o que a Sra. Sparsit ainda chamava de ‘um Powler’. Às vezes se observava que estranhos de informação limitada e compreensão embotada não sabiam o que era um Powler, e até pareciam incertos se poderia ser um negócio, um partido político ou uma profissão de fé. A classe superior de espíritos, contudo, não precisava ser informada de que os Powlers eram uma estirpe antiga, capaz de remontar sua linhagem a um passado tão extraordinariamente remoto que não surpreendia que às vezes se perdessem - o que haviam feito com bastante frequência no tocante a carne de cavalo, jogatina, transações monetárias hebraicas e o Tribunal dos Devedores Insolventes.

O falecido Sr. Sparsit, sendo Powler pelo lado materno, casou-se com essa senhora, que era Scadgers pelo lado paterno. Lady Scadgers (uma velha imensamente gorda, com um apetite desmedido por carne de açougue e uma perna misteriosa que já fazia catorze anos se recusava a sair da cama) arranjou o casamento numa época em que Sparsit acabara de atingir a maioridade e se fazia notar sobretudo por um corpo esguio, debilmente sustentado por dois suportes longos e finos, encimado por nenhuma cabeça digna de menção. Herdou uma fortuna razoável do tio, mas já a devia por inteiro antes de recebê-la e gastou-a duas vezes logo depois. Assim, quando morreu aos vinte e quatro anos (local do falecimento, Calais; causa, conhaque), não deixou em circunstâncias abastadas a viúva, de quem se separara pouco depois da lua de mel. Aquela senhora desolada, quinze anos mais velha que ele, entrou pouco depois em inimizade mortal com sua única parenta, Lady Scadgers; e, em parte para contrariar Sua Senhoria e em parte para sustentar-se, foi trabalhar por um salário. E ali estava agora, em seus dias de velhice, com o nariz de estilo coriolaniano e as densas sobrancelhas negras que haviam cativado Sparsit, preparando o chá do Sr. Bounderby enquanto ele tomava o café da manhã.

Se Bounderby fosse um Conquistador e a Sra. Sparsit uma Princesa cativa que ele exibisse como atração em suas procissões de Estado, não poderia fazer mais alarde dela do que habitualmente fazia. Assim como fazia parte de sua jactância depreciar a própria origem, também fazia parte dela exaltar a origem da Sra. Sparsit. Na mesma medida em que não admitia que sua própria juventude houvesse contado com uma única circunstância favorável, iluminava a carreira juvenil da Sra. Sparsit com todas as vantagens possíveis e despejava carroçadas de rosas precoces por todo o caminho daquela senhora. ‘E, no entanto, senhor’, costumava dizer, ‘no fim das contas, o que acontece? Ora, aqui está ela, por cem libras anuais (eu lhe dou cem, quantia que ela tem a bondade de considerar generosa), cuidando da casa de Josiah Bounderby, de Coketown!’

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

Bounderby repetia essa história tantas vezes que outros também começaram a repeti-la. Ele não apenas elogiava a si mesmo, mas fazia outros homens elogiá-lo. Nos jantares de Coketown, desconhecidos o descreviam como o símbolo perfeito da Inglaterra e de todos os seus direitos e tradições. Esses discursos muitas vezes terminavam com os versos:

“Príncipes e lordes podem crescer ou desaparecer; um sopro pode criá-los, assim como um sopro os criou.”

Quando um orador usava esses versos, todos entendiam que ele ouvira falar da Sra. Sparsit.

“Sr. Bounderby”, disse a Sra. Sparsit, “o senhor está tomando o café da manhã de modo incomumente lento hoje.”

“Estou pensando na estranha ideia de Tom Gradgrind de criar a menina do circo”, respondeu Bounderby. Ele sempre chamava o amigo de Tom para parecer independente.

“A menina espera saber se deve ir diretamente para a escola ou para Stone Lodge”, disse a Sra. Sparsit.

“Ela deve esperar até que eu saiba”, respondeu Bounderby. “Gradgrind deve chegar logo. Se quiser que ela fique aqui mais um ou dois dias, poderá ficar.”

Original English Version

Nay, he made this foil of his so very widely known, that third parties took it up, and handled it on some occasions with considerable briskness. It was one of the most exasperating attributes of Bounderby, that he not only sang his own praises but stimulated other men to sing them. There was a moral infection of clap-trap in him. Strangers, modest enough elsewhere, started up at dinners in Coketown, and boasted, in quite a rampant way, of Bounderby. They made him out to be the Royal arms, the Union-Jack, Magna Charta, John Bull, Habeas Corpus, the Bill of Rights, An Englishman’s house is his castle, Church and State, and God save the Queen, all put together. And as often (and it was very often) as an orator of this kind brought into his peroration,

‘Princes and lords may flourish or may fade, A breath can make them, as a breath has made,’

- it was, for certain, more or less understood among the company that he had heard of Mrs. Sparsit.

‘Mr. Bounderby,’ said Mrs. Sparsit, ‘you are unusually slow, sir, with your breakfast this morning.’

‘Why, ma’am,’ he returned, ‘I am thinking about Tom Gradgrind’s whim;’ Tom Gradgrind, for a bluff independent manner of speaking - as if somebody were always endeavouring to bribe him with immense sums to say Thomas, and he wouldn’t; ‘Tom Gradgrind’s whim, ma’am, of bringing up the tumbling-girl.’

‘The girl is now waiting to know,’ said Mrs. Sparsit, ‘whether she is to go straight to the school, or up to the Lodge.’

‘She must wait, ma’am,’ answered Bounderby, ‘till I know myself. We shall have Tom Gradgrind down here presently, I suppose. If he should wish her to remain here a day or two longer, of course she can, ma’am.’

Tradução Integral em Português

Mais ainda, ele tornou esse seu contraste tão amplamente conhecido que terceiros o adotaram e, em algumas ocasiões, manejaram-no com considerável vivacidade. Um dos atributos mais exasperantes de Bounderby era não somente cantar os próprios louvores, mas estimular outros homens a cantá-los. Havia nele um contágio moral de charlatanice. Estranhos, bastante modestos em outros lugares, levantavam-se em jantares em Coketown e gabavam Bounderby da maneira mais desenfreada. Faziam-no equivaler às Armas Reais, à Union Jack, à Magna Carta, a John Bull, ao Habeas Corpus, à Declaração de Direitos, à máxima A casa de um inglês é seu castelo, à Igreja e ao Estado e a Deus salve a Rainha, tudo reunido. E sempre que (e isso ocorria com grande frequência) um orador dessa espécie introduzia em sua peroração:

‘Príncipes e lordes podem florescer ou fenecer, Um sopro pode criá-los, como um sopro os fez nascer’,

- certamente se entendia, em maior ou menor grau, entre os presentes que ele ouvira falar da Sra. Sparsit.

‘Sr. Bounderby’, disse a Sra. Sparsit, ‘o senhor está excepcionalmente lento com seu café da manhã hoje.’

‘Ora, senhora’, respondeu ele, ‘estou pensando no capricho de Tom Gradgrind’; Tom Gradgrind, por uma maneira franca e independente de falar - como se alguém estivesse sempre tentando suborná-lo com somas imensas para que dissesse Thomas, e ele se recusasse; ‘no capricho de Tom Gradgrind, senhora, de criar a menina acrobata.’

‘A menina está agora esperando para saber’, disse a Sra. Sparsit, ‘se deve ir diretamente à escola ou subir para Stone Lodge.’

‘Ela terá de esperar, senhora’, respondeu Bounderby, ‘até que eu mesmo saiba. Suponho que teremos Tom Gradgrind aqui dentro em pouco. Se ele quiser que ela permaneça aqui mais um ou dois dias, é claro que pode, senhora.’

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“É claro que pode, se o senhor quiser, Sr. Bounderby.”

“Dei-lhe uma cama simples aqui ontem à noite para que Gradgrind pudesse pensar antes de deixá-la conviver com Louisa.”

“É mesmo, Sr. Bounderby? Que consideração!” O nariz orgulhoso da Sra. Sparsit se abriu levemente, e suas sobrancelhas negras se contraíram enquanto bebia o chá.

“Parece-me claro”, disse Bounderby, “que a menina pouco ganhará com tal companhia.”

“O senhor está falando da jovem Srta. Gradgrind, Sr. Bounderby?”

“Sim, quero dizer Louisa.”

“O senhor disse apenas ‘a menina’”, explicou a Sra. Sparsit. “Como há duas meninas, não sabia a qual se referia.”

“Louisa”, repetiu o Sr. Bounderby. “Louisa, Louisa.”

“O senhor é como outro pai para Louisa.” A Sra. Sparsit bebeu mais chá. Suas sobrancelhas escuras e o rosto severo faziam-na parecer invocar deuses sombrios.

“A senhora estaria mais perto da verdade se dissesse que sou outro pai para o jovem Tom. Vou levá-lo para meu escritório e mantê-lo sob minha proteção.”

Original English Version

‘Of course she can if you wish it, Mr. Bounderby.’

‘I told him I would give her a shake-down here, last night, in order that he might sleep on it before he decided to let her have any association with Louisa.’

‘Indeed, Mr. Bounderby? Very thoughtful of you!’ Mrs. Sparsit’s Coriolanian nose underwent a slight expansion of the nostrils, and her black eyebrows contracted as she took a sip of tea.

‘It’s tolerably clear to _me_,’ said Bounderby, ‘that the little puss can get small good out of such companionship.’

‘Are you speaking of young Miss Gradgrind, Mr. Bounderby?’

‘Yes, ma’am, I’m speaking of Louisa.’

‘Your observation being limited to “little puss,”’ said Mrs. Sparsit, ‘and there being two little girls in question, I did not know which might be indicated by that expression.’

‘Louisa,’ repeated Mr. Bounderby. ‘Louisa, Louisa.’

‘You are quite another father to Louisa, sir.’ Mrs. Sparsit took a little more tea; and, as she bent her again contracted eyebrows over her steaming cup, rather looked as if her classical countenance were invoking the infernal gods.

‘If you had said I was another father to Tom - young Tom, I mean, not my friend Tom Gradgrind - you might have been nearer the mark. I am going to take young Tom into my office. Going to have him under my wing, ma’am.’

Tradução Integral em Português

‘É claro que pode, se o senhor assim desejar, Sr. Bounderby.’

‘Eu lhe disse que lhe arranjaria aqui uma cama improvisada ontem à noite, para que ele pudesse dormir sobre o assunto antes de decidir permitir que ela tivesse qualquer convivência com Louisa.’

‘De fato, Sr. Bounderby? Muito atencioso de sua parte!’ As narinas do nariz coriolaniano da Sra. Sparsit dilataram-se ligeiramente, e suas sobrancelhas negras se contraíram enquanto ela tomava um gole de chá.

‘Está razoavelmente claro para _mim_’, disse Bounderby, ‘que a pequena gatinha pouco proveito pode tirar de semelhante companhia.’

‘O senhor está falando da jovem Senhorita Gradgrind, Sr. Bounderby?’

‘Sim, senhora, estou falando de Louisa.’

‘Como sua observação se limitou a “pequena gatinha”’, disse a Sra. Sparsit, ‘e há duas meninas em questão, eu não sabia qual delas essa expressão poderia indicar.’

‘Louisa’, repetiu o Sr. Bounderby. ‘Louisa, Louisa.’

‘O senhor é como um segundo pai para Louisa, senhor.’ A Sra. Sparsit tomou mais um pouco de chá; e, ao inclinar sobre a xícara fumegante as sobrancelhas novamente contraídas, pareceu que seu semblante clássico invocava os deuses infernais.

‘Se dissesse que sou como um segundo pai para Tom - o jovem Tom, quero dizer, não meu amigo Tom Gradgrind - , talvez chegasse mais perto da verdade. Vou levar o jovem Tom para meu escritório. Vou tomá-lo sob minha proteção, senhora.’

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“É mesmo? Ele não é bastante jovem, senhor?” O “senhor” formal da Sra. Sparsit exigia respeito para ela própria mais do que honrava Bounderby.

“Não imediatamente. Primeiro ele precisa terminar de receber educação à força”, disse Bounderby. Gabou-se de que, na idade de Tom, sua própria mente não tinha instrução alguma. Disse à Sra. Sparsit que a infância rica dela na Ópera Italiana tornava impossível compreender os artistas do circo ou a pobreza que ele vivera.

“Certamente conheci a Ópera Italiana desde muito pequena”, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit com triste dignidade.

“Eu também - mas pelo lado de fora”, disse Bounderby. “A calçada de lá era uma cama dura. Pessoas como a senhora, criadas sobre plumas macias, não conseguem entender isso. Eu deveria falar-lhe apenas de bailarinas ricas, da Londres elegante, de lordes e damas.”

“Espero que isso não seja necessário”, respondeu pacientemente a Sra. Sparsit. “Creio ter me adaptado às mudanças da vida. Não mereço elogios por apreciar suas histórias instrutivas, pois todos parecem compartilhar esse sentimento.”

Original English Version

‘Indeed? Rather young for that, is he not, sir?’ Mrs. Sparsit’s ‘sir,’ in addressing Mr. Bounderby, was a word of ceremony, rather exacting consideration for herself in the use, than honouring him.

‘I’m not going to take him at once; he is to finish his educational cramming before then,’ said Bounderby. ‘By the Lord Harry, he’ll have enough of it, first and last! He’d open his eyes, that boy would, if he knew how empty of learning _my_ young maw was, at his time of life.’ Which, by the by, he probably did know, for he had heard of it often enough. ‘But it’s extraordinary the difficulty I have on scores of such subjects, in speaking to any one on equal terms. Here, for example, I have been speaking to you this morning about tumblers. Why, what do _you_ know about tumblers? At the time when, to have been a tumbler in the mud of the streets, would have been a godsend to me, a prize in the lottery to me, you were at the Italian Opera. You were coming out of the Italian Opera, ma’am, in white satin and jewels, a blaze of splendour, when I hadn’t a penny to buy a link to light you.’

‘I certainly, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with a dignity serenely mournful, ‘was familiar with the Italian Opera at a very early age.’

‘Egad, ma’am, so was I,’ said Bounderby, ‘ - with the wrong side of it. A hard bed the pavement of its Arcade used to make, I assure you. People like you, ma’am, accustomed from infancy to lie on Down feathers, have no idea _how_ hard a paving-stone is, without trying it. No, no, it’s of no use my talking to _you_ about tumblers. I should speak of foreign dancers, and the West End of London, and May Fair, and lords and ladies and honourables.’

‘I trust, sir,’ rejoined Mrs. Sparsit, with decent resignation, ‘it is not necessary that you should do anything of that kind. I hope I have learnt how to accommodate myself to the changes of life. If I have acquired an interest in hearing of your instructive experiences, and can scarcely hear enough of them, I claim no merit for that, since I believe it is a general sentiment.’

Tradução Integral em Português

‘De fato? Ele não é jovem demais para isso, senhor?’ O ‘senhor’ da Sra. Sparsit, ao dirigir-se ao Sr. Bounderby, era uma palavra cerimoniosa que, ao ser usada, exigia consideração por ela própria, mais do que o honrava.

‘Não vou recebê-lo de imediato; ele precisa terminar antes sua engorda educacional’, disse Bounderby. ‘Por Deus, terá recebido uma boa dose disso, do começo ao fim! Aquele menino arregalaria os olhos se soubesse quão vazio de instrução estava o _meu_ jovem estômago na idade dele.’ O que, diga-se de passagem, ele provavelmente sabia, pois já ouvira falar disso vezes suficientes. ‘Mas é extraordinária a dificuldade que tenho, em dezenas de assuntos dessa espécie, para falar com qualquer pessoa em pé de igualdade. Aqui estou eu, por exemplo, falando com a senhora hoje de manhã a respeito de acrobatas. Ora, o que _a senhora_ sabe de acrobatas? Na época em que ser um acrobata na lama das ruas teria sido para mim uma dádiva divina, um prêmio de loteria, a senhora estava na Ópera Italiana. Saía da Ópera Italiana, senhora, vestida de cetim branco e joias, um esplendor flamejante, enquanto eu não tinha um vintém para comprar uma tocha que iluminasse seu caminho.’

‘É verdade, senhor’, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit com uma dignidade serenamente pesarosa, ‘que eu conhecia a Ópera Italiana desde muito jovem.’

‘Por Deus, senhora, eu também’, disse Bounderby, ‘ - pelo lado de fora. Garanto-lhe que o pavimento de sua Arcada dava uma cama dura. Pessoas como a senhora, habituadas desde a infância a deitar-se em plumas de ganso, não fazem ideia de _quanto_ é dura uma pedra de calçamento sem experimentá-la. Não, não, não adianta eu falar com _a senhora_ de acrobatas. Deveria falar de bailarinos estrangeiros, do West End de Londres, de Mayfair, de lordes, damas e honoráveis.’

‘Confio, senhor’, replicou a Sra. Sparsit, com decorosa resignação, ‘que não seja necessário fazer nada dessa espécie. Espero ter aprendido a me adaptar às mudanças da vida. Se adquiri interesse por ouvir suas experiências instrutivas e quase nunca me satisfaço de ouvi-las, não reivindico mérito algum por isso, pois creio tratar-se de um sentimento geral.’

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“Talvez as pessoas gostem de ouvir, em seu jeito rude, o que Josiah Bounderby sofreu”, disse ele. “Mas a senhora deve admitir que nasceu no luxo.”

“Não nego, senhor”, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit, balançando a cabeça.

Bounderby precisou se levantar e ficar de costas para o fogo enquanto a olhava. O nascimento nobre dela fazia a posição atual dele parecer ainda maior.

“E a senhora pertencia à mais alta sociedade”, disse ele, aquecendo as pernas.

“É verdade, senhor”, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit com uma falsa humildade muito diferente da dele.

“A senhora viveu entre as pessoas mais elegantes e tudo o mais”, disse Bounderby.

“Sim, senhor. Isso é certamente verdade”, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit com a tristeza de quem perdera sua posição social.

Bounderby dobrou os joelhos e abraçou as pernas de satisfação, rindo alto. Quando anunciaram o Sr. Gradgrind e Louisa, ele apertou a mão do pai e beijou a filha.

Original English Version

‘Well, ma’am,’ said her patron, ‘perhaps some people may be pleased to say that they do like to hear, in his own unpolished way, what Josiah Bounderby, of Coketown, has gone through. But you must confess that you were born in the lap of luxury, yourself. Come, ma’am, you know you were born in the lap of luxury.’

‘I do not, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit with a shake of her head, ‘deny it.’

Mr. Bounderby was obliged to get up from table, and stand with his back to the fire, looking at her; she was such an enhancement of his position.

‘And you were in crack society. Devilish high society,’ he said, warming his legs.

‘It is true, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with an affectation of humility the very opposite of his, and therefore in no danger of jostling it.

‘You were in the tiptop fashion, and all the rest of it,’ said Mr. Bounderby.

‘Yes, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with a kind of social widowhood upon her. ‘It is unquestionably true.’

Mr. Bounderby, bending himself at the knees, literally embraced his legs in his great satisfaction and laughed aloud. Mr. and Miss Gradgrind being then announced, he received the former with a shake of the hand, and the latter with a kiss.

Tradução Integral em Português

‘Bem, senhora’, disse seu patrono, ‘talvez certas pessoas tenham a bondade de dizer que gostam, sim, de ouvir, contado à maneira rude dele próprio, tudo o que Josiah Bounderby, de Coketown, enfrentou. Mas a senhora precisa confessar que nasceu no regaço do luxo. Vamos, senhora, sabe que nasceu no regaço do luxo.’

‘Não o nego, senhor’, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit, balançando a cabeça.

O Sr. Bounderby viu-se obrigado a levantar-se da mesa e ficar de costas para o fogo, olhando para ela; tamanho realce ela conferia à posição dele.

‘E frequentava a nata da sociedade. Sociedade alta para diabo’, disse ele, aquecendo as pernas.

‘É verdade, senhor’, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit, com uma afetação de humildade inteiramente oposta à dele e, portanto, sem perigo de esbarrar nela.

‘Estava no auge da moda e tudo o mais’, disse o Sr. Bounderby.

‘Sim, senhor’, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit, envolta numa espécie de viuvez social. ‘É indubitavelmente verdade.’

O Sr. Bounderby, dobrando os joelhos, literalmente abraçou as pernas em sua grande satisfação e riu alto. Quando então anunciaram o Sr. e a Senhorita Gradgrind, recebeu o primeiro com um aperto de mão e a segunda com um beijo.

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Tradução da Versão Simplificada (B1)

“Pode mandar chamar Jupe, Bounderby?”, perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind.

Mandaram chamar Jupe. Ela fez reverência a Bounderby, Gradgrind e Louisa, mas, nervosa, esqueceu a Sra. Sparsit. Bounderby percebeu e falou em voz alta:

“Escute, menina. A senhora ao lado do bule é a Sra. Sparsit, dona desta casa e mulher de família importante. Sempre que entrar aqui, deverá tratá-la com o maior respeito. Não me importa como trata a mim, pois não afirmo ser importante e vim das pessoas mais humildes. Mas respeitará essa senhora ou não voltará.”

“Espero”, disse calmamente o Sr. Gradgrind, “que ela apenas tenha se esquecido por acidente.”

“Meu amigo sugere que foi apenas um acidente, Sra. Sparsit”, disse Bounderby. “Provavelmente foi. Mas a senhora sabe que não permito erros no respeito que lhe é devido.”

“O senhor é muito bondoso”, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit com humildade orgulhosa. “Não vale a pena falar disso.”

Sissy estivera se desculpando em voz baixa, com lágrimas nos olhos. Bounderby então a mandou até Gradgrind. Ela o observou atentamente, enquanto Louisa permanecia friamente ao lado, olhando para o chão. Ele começou:

Original English Version

‘Can Jupe be sent here, Bounderby?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind.

Certainly. So Jupe was sent there. On coming in, she curtseyed to Mr. Bounderby, and to his friend Tom Gradgrind, and also to Louisa; but in her confusion unluckily omitted Mrs. Sparsit. Observing this, the blustrous Bounderby had the following remarks to make:

‘Now, I tell you what, my girl. The name of that lady by the teapot, is Mrs. Sparsit. That lady acts as mistress of this house, and she is a highly connected lady. Consequently, if ever you come again into any room in this house, you will make a short stay in it if you don’t behave towards that lady in your most respectful manner. Now, I don’t care a button what you do to _me_, because I don’t affect to be anybody. So far from having high connections I have no connections at all, and I come of the scum of the earth. But towards that lady, I do care what you do; and you shall do what is deferential and respectful, or you shall not come here.’

‘I hope, Bounderby,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, in a conciliatory voice, ‘that this was merely an oversight.’

‘My friend Tom Gradgrind suggests, Mrs. Sparsit,’ said Bounderby, ‘that this was merely an oversight. Very likely. However, as you are aware, ma’am, I don’t allow of even oversights towards you.’

‘You are very good indeed, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, shaking her head with her State humility. ‘It is not worth speaking of.’

Sissy, who all this time had been faintly excusing herself with tears in her eyes, was now waved over by the master of the house to Mr. Gradgrind. She stood looking intently at him, and Louisa stood coldly by, with her eyes upon the ground, while he proceeded thus:

Tradução Integral em Português

‘Pode mandar Jupe vir aqui, Bounderby?’, perguntou o Sr. Gradgrind.

Certamente. Assim, mandaram Jupe até ali. Ao entrar, ela fez uma mesura ao Sr. Bounderby, ao amigo dele, Tom Gradgrind, e também a Louisa; mas, em sua confusão, infelizmente omitiu a Sra. Sparsit. Ao observar isso, o tempestuoso Bounderby fez as seguintes observações:

‘Agora vou lhe dizer uma coisa, minha menina. O nome daquela senhora junto ao bule é Sra. Sparsit. Aquela senhora desempenha o papel de dona desta casa e é uma senhora de relações muito elevadas. Por conseguinte, se algum dia voltar a entrar em qualquer cômodo desta casa, sua permanência nele será curta se não se comportar para com aquela senhora da maneira mais respeitosa possível. Agora, não dou um botão pelo que você faz _a mim_, pois não finjo ser pessoa de importância. Longe de ter relações elevadas, não tenho relação alguma, e venho da escória da terra. Mas, no que diz respeito àquela senhora, importa-me, sim, o que você faz; e há de agir com deferência e respeito, ou não há de entrar aqui.’

‘Espero, Bounderby’, disse o Sr. Gradgrind, em tom conciliador, ‘que isso tenha sido apenas um descuido.’

‘Meu amigo Tom Gradgrind sugere, Sra. Sparsit’, disse Bounderby, ‘que isso tenha sido apenas um descuido. É bem provável. Contudo, como a senhora sabe, nem mesmo descuidos para com a senhora eu tolero.’

‘O senhor é realmente muito bondoso’, respondeu a Sra. Sparsit, balançando a cabeça com sua humildade de Estado. ‘Não vale a pena falar nisso.’

Sissy, que durante todo esse tempo estivera se desculpando timidamente, com lágrimas nos olhos, foi então encaminhada pelo dono da casa, com um gesto, até o Sr. Gradgrind. Ficou olhando fixamente para ele, e Louisa permaneceu friamente ao lado, com os olhos no chão, enquanto ele prosseguia:

Retorna à Versão Inglês Simplificada    Go to the Original English Version

Glossary: New Words (1/2)

Priority words from the simplified reading and post-nominal letters found in this book. Post-nominals are abbreviations placed after a person's name to identify honours, professional memberships, academic titles or qualifications. Each entry shows up to six real uses; Back to B1 opens the exact simplified sentence, while Back to Original opens the exact paragraph in Original English.

adapt /əˈdæpt/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: adaptar; se adaptarem; adequar

Simple English: To modify a work so it can be made into a film.

Example: The author decided to adapt her novel into a screenplay for a movie.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “I believe I have adapted to life's changes. Go to

admirable /ˈædmərəbəl/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: admirável; digno de admiração

Simple English: Deserving respect and praise.

Example: His patience with the beginners was admirable.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Simply being left alone with her husband and Mr. Bounderby was enough to stun this admirable lady again, even without another fact striking her. Go to

Original English Version

1. The simple circumstance of being left alone with her husband and Mr. Bounderby, was sufficient to stun this admirable lady again without collision between herself and any other fact. Go to

advance /ədˈvæns/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: antecedência; avanço; adiantamento

Simple English: A forward movement of soldiers toward an objective or position.

Example: The army decided to advance their position at dawn for a surprise attack.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He inherited money but had already spent it in advance. Go to

affectionate /əˈfekʃənət/ (7 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: afetuoso; carinhoso

Simple English: Showing warm love and care for someone.

Example: She wrote an affectionate letter to her grandmother every Sunday.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. He was an affectionate father, after his manner; but he would probably have described himself (if he had been put, like Sissy Jupe, upon a definition) as ‘an eminently practical’ father. Go to

afterwards (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: depois; em seguida; posteriormente

Simple English: after something has happened

Example: We had dinner and afterwards went for a walk.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ he repeated soon afterwards. Go to

an't /ænt/ (9 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: não sou; não é; não são

Simple English: An old or dialectal contraction of am not, are not, or is not.

Example: There an't any more visitors coming in, is there?

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. An’t you one of the rest! Go to

2. An’t you a horse-rider! Go to

angrily /ˈæŋɡrɪli/ (15 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: com raiva; furiosamente

Simple English: In a way that shows anger.

Example: He shouted angrily at the door.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “You must use wallpaper,” said the man rather angrily. Go to

2. As he angrily led the two guilty children home to Stone Lodge, he kept repeating, ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ as if Mr. Bounderby represented all respectable public opinion. Go to

3. Young Thomas stood angrily sniffing by the fire. Go to

4. ‘Then why does he come here and insult us?’ cried Kidderminster angrily. Go to

apologizing /əˈpɑːlədʒaɪzɪŋ/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: desculpando-se

Simple English: Saying you are sorry for something.

Example: He began apologizing before he sat down.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Sissy had been quietly apologizing with tears in her eyes. Go to

apparently /əˈpærəntli/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: aparentemente; pelos vistos; parece

Simple English: Seemingly true based on the available evidence or observation.

Example: Apparently, they have decided to move to another city next month.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Mr. Gradgrind did not seem impressed by these apparently strong arguments. Go to

apprenticed /əˈprentɪst/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: colocado como aprendiz; em aprendizado

Simple English: Placed under a skilled worker to learn a trade.

Example: When he was old enough, he was to be apprenticed to Joe.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘I did not know that young people were apprenticed to - ’ Go to

Original English Version

1. He had better have apprenticed her,’ said Childers, giving his hair another shake, as he looked up from the empty box. Go to

2. ‘It is creditable to you, who have never been apprenticed, to express that opinion,’ returned Mr. Gradgrind, approvingly. Go to

3. ‘_I_ never apprenticed? Go to

4. I was apprenticed when I was seven year old.’ Go to

Approval /əˈpruːvəl/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: aprovação; homologação; autorização

Simple English: A positive feeling toward someone or something favorable.

Example: He smiled when he received his teacher's approval for the project.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Everyone in town knows it, just as they know that circus riders do not know the multiplication table.’ Bitzer looked to Mr. Bounderby for approval. Go to

approvingly /əˈpruːvɪŋli/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: com aprovação

Simple English: In a way that shows agreement or praise.

Example: Susan nodded approvingly from the kitchen.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Mr. Gradgrind approvingly replied, ‘It is good of you, although you were never an apprentice, to express that opinion.’ Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘It is creditable to you, who have never been apprenticed, to express that opinion,’ returned Mr. Gradgrind, approvingly. Go to

arithmetic /əˈrɪθmətɪk/ (8 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: aritmética

Simple English: The part of mathematics that works with numbers.

Example: He was good at arithmetic at school.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. For seven years, he found someone to teach her a little reading here, some writing there, and arithmetic somewhere else.’ Go to

Original English Version

1. It is a mere question of figures, a case of simple arithmetic. Go to

2. His character was not unkind, all things considered; it might have been a very kind one indeed, if he had only made some round mistake in the arithmetic that balanced it, years ago. Go to

assented /əˈsɛntɪd/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: concordou; assentiu

Simple English: Expressed agreement or approval.

Example: "Quite true," her practical father assented.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. ‘Well known,’ assented Mr. Sleary, rolling his loose eye. Go to

asthmatic /æzˈmætɪk/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: asmático; pessoa com asma

Simple English: Affected by asthma or sounding short of breath and wheezy; also, a person with asthma.

Example: The old man spoke in an asthmatic whisper.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Sir,’ said the asthmatic Mr. Sleary, whose heavy breathing made the letter s difficult to pronounce. Go to

attends /əˈtɛndz/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: frequenta; comparece; acompanha; presta atenção

Simple English: Is present at, goes regularly to, accompanies, or gives attention to something.

Example: One of the performers' children attends the village school.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘One of those travelling performers’ children attends your school.’ Go to

barks /bɑːrks/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: late; latidos

Simple English: Makes the short loud sound of a dog.

Example: The dog barks at every stranger.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. If you hear a dog, it is only Merrylegs, and he only barks.’ Go to

Original English Version

1. If you should hear a dog, sir, it’s only Merrylegs, and he only barks.’ Go to

bellows /ˈbeloʊz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: fole

Simple English: A tool that blows air onto a fire to make it burn.

Example: He worked the bellows until the coals glowed.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. His voice sounded like broken bellows, his body was soft, and his confused mind was never completely sober or completely drunk. Go to

Original English Version

1. Last of all appeared Mr. Sleary: a stout man as already mentioned, with one fixed eye, and one loose eye, a voice (if it can be called so) like the efforts of a broken old pair of bellows, a flabby surface, and a muddled head which was never sober and never drunk. Go to

bitters /ˈbɪtərz/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: bebida amarga aromática; bíteres

Simple English: A strongly flavored alcoholic or medicinal liquid made with bitter herbs.

Example: They mixed a glass of bitters and handed it to him.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. If you have not eaten, have a glass of bitters.’ Go to

bitzer /ˈbɪtsər/ (145 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Bitzer

Simple English: the name of a schoolboy character in the story

Example: Bitzer, give your answer.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Bitzer, give your answer.” Go to

2. The pointing finger stopped at Bitzer. Go to

3. Sissy and Bitzer sat on opposite sides of a ray of sunlight. Go to

4. The sun made Sissy's dark eyes and hair look richer, but it seemed to remove the little color Bitzer had. Go to

5. “Bitzer,” said Thomas Gradgrind. Go to

6. Bitzer blinked quickly at Mr. Gradgrind; the light on his eyelashes made them look like insect feelers. Go to

Original English Version

1. Bitzer, yours.’ Go to

2. The square finger, moving here and there, lighted suddenly on Bitzer, perhaps because he chanced to sit in the same ray of sunlight which, darting in at one of the bare windows of the intensely white-washed room, irradiated Sissy. Go to

3. For, the boys and girls sat on the face of the inclined plane in two compact bodies, divided up the centre by a narrow interval; and Sissy, being at the corner of a row on the sunny side, came in for the beginning of a sunbeam, of which Bitzer, being at the corner of a row on the other side, a few rows in advance, caught the end. Go to

4. ‘Bitzer,’ said Thomas Gradgrind. Go to

5. Age known by marks in mouth.’ Thus (and much more) Bitzer. Go to

6. Bitzer, after rapidly blinking at Thomas Gradgrind with both eyes at once, and so catching the light upon his quivering ends of lashes that they looked like the antennæ of busy insects, put his knuckles to his freckled forehead, and sat down again. Go to

bitzer's /ˈbɪtsərz/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Bitzer

Simple English: belonging to Bitzer, a character in the story

Example: This was Bitzer's factual answer.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Its hard hooves need iron shoes, and its age can be read from marks in its mouth.” This was Bitzer's factual answer. Go to

blackboard /ˈblækbɔːrd/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: quadro-negro

Simple English: A dark board written on with chalk.

Example: The teacher worked the sum on the blackboard.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Their first memory seemed to be a large blackboard and a dry, frightening figure writing white numbers on it. Go to

blindly /ˈblaɪndli/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: às cegas

Simple English: Without being able to see, or without thinking.

Example: He reached blindly for the light switch.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The pale boy Bitzer ran around the corner so blindly and expected a clear pavement so completely that he crashed into Mr. Gradgrind’s stomach and bounced into the road. Go to

blinked /blɪŋkt/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: piscou

Simple English: Closed and opened the eyes quickly.

Example: The great head blinked at her.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Bitzer blinked quickly at Mr. Gradgrind; the light on his eyelashes made them look like insect feelers. Go to

blinking /ˈblɪŋkɪŋ/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: que piscam; semicerrados

Simple English: Opening and closing the eyes quickly.

Example: The baby lay blinking at the bright lamp.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The boy stopped blinking quickly, touched his forehead respectfully again, looked at Sissy, turned around, and went away. Go to

Original English Version

1. Bitzer, after rapidly blinking at Thomas Gradgrind with both eyes at once, and so catching the light upon his quivering ends of lashes that they looked like the antennæ of busy insects, put his knuckles to his freckled forehead, and sat down again. Go to

2. The boy stopped in his rapid blinking, knuckled his forehead again, glanced at Sissy, turned about, and retreated. Go to

blushed /blʌʃt/ (9 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: corou; enrubesceu

Simple English: Became red in the face from shame or pleasure.

Example: She blushed when everyone clapped.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She blushed, stood up, and curtsied. Go to

2. Sissy blushed and stood up. Go to

Original English Version

1. She curtseyed again, and would have blushed deeper, if she could have blushed deeper than she had blushed all this time. Go to

2. Sissy blushed, and stood up. Go to

blushing /ˈblʌʃɪŋ/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: corando; ruborizando-se

Simple English: Turning red in the face from shame or shyness.

Example: She thanked him, blushing to the ears.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. ‘Sissy Jupe, sir,’ explained number twenty, blushing, standing up, and curtseying. Go to

boasted /boʊstɪd/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: gabou-se

Simple English: Talked with too much pride about yourself.

Example: He boasted that he could run the fastest.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He described her youth as perfectly privileged, then boasted that she now managed the home of Josiah Bounderby for one hundred pounds a year. Go to

2. He boasted that at Tom's age his own mind had been empty of learning. Go to

Original English Version

1. Strangers, modest enough elsewhere, started up at dinners in Coketown, and boasted, in quite a rampant way, of Bounderby. Go to

boasting /ˈboʊstɪŋ/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: gabolice; vangloriando-se

Simple English: Talking too proudly about yourself or what you own.

Example: Nobody believed his boasting about the fish.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He never stopped boasting that he was a self-made man. Go to

2. One could imagine that he had talked most of it away, while the rest stood untidily on end because his windy boasting always blew it about. Go to

boldly /ˈboʊldli/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: corajosamente; com ousadia

Simple English: In a brave and confident way.

Example: She walked boldly up to the door and knocked.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Louisa looked at her father more boldly than Thomas. Go to

bonnet /ˈbɑːnɪt/ (16 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: touca; chapéu feminino amarrado sob o queixo

Simple English: A soft hat tied under the chin, once worn by women and children.

Example: The old photograph shows my great-grandmother in a white bonnet.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I will bring him in a minute!’ She ran out without her bonnet, her long dark hair flying behind her. Go to

2. When the basket was packed, the women brought Sissy’s bonnet, smoothed her messy hair, and put it on her. Go to

Original English Version

1. I don’t know why he should go there, but he must be there; I’ll bring him in a minute!’ She was gone directly, without her bonnet; with her long, dark, childish hair streaming behind her. Go to

2. The basket packed in silence, they brought her bonnet to her, and smoothed her disordered hair, and put it on. Go to

bounced /baʊnst/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: quicou; ricocheteou

Simple English: Moved up or away again after hitting a surface.

Example: The ball bounced twice and went over the fence.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The pale boy Bitzer ran around the corner so blindly and expected a clear pavement so completely that he crashed into Mr. Gradgrind’s stomach and bounced into the road. Go to

2. He opened his arms, took both her hands, and would normally have bounced her up and down as a riding master congratulates a performer. Go to

bounderby /ˈbaʊndərbi/ (950 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Bounderby

Simple English: Mr. Bounderby is a wealthy, boastful businessman character in Hard Times.

Example: When she heard the name Bounderby, Louisa gave her father a deep, searching look.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ When she heard this name, Louisa gave her father a deep, searching look. Go to

2. ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ he repeated soon afterwards. Go to

3. As he angrily led the two guilty children home to Stone Lodge, he kept repeating, ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ as if Mr. Bounderby represented all respectable public opinion. Go to

4. Since he was not Mrs. Grundy, who was Mr. Bounderby? Go to

5. Mr. Bounderby was as close a friend of Mr. Gradgrind as one completely unsentimental man could be to another. Go to

6. Mr. Bounderby was one or two years younger than his very practical friend, but he looked older. Go to

Original English Version

1. What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ At the mention of this name, his daughter stole a look at him, remarkable for its intense and searching character. Go to

2. ‘What,’ he repeated presently, ‘would Mr. Bounderby say?’ All the way to Stone Lodge, as with grave indignation he led the two delinquents home, he repeated at intervals ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ - as if Mr. Bounderby had been Mrs. Grundy. Go to

3. NOT being Mrs. Grundy, who _was_ Mr. Bounderby? Go to

4. Why, Mr. Bounderby was as near being Mr. Gradgrind’s bosom friend, as a man perfectly devoid of sentiment can approach that spiritual relationship towards another man perfectly devoid of sentiment. Go to

5. So near was Mr. Bounderby - or, if the reader should prefer it, so far off. Go to

6. A year or two younger than his eminently practical friend, Mr. Bounderby looked older; his seven or eight and forty might have had the seven or eight added to it again, without surprising anybody. Go to

bounderby's /ˈbaʊndərbiz/ (91 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Bounderby

Simple English: the possessive form of Bounderby, a character in Hard Times

Example: These people cared so little for plain facts that Bounderby's words did not impress them.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. These people cared so little for plain facts that Bounderby’s words did not impress them. Go to

2. Now, older and still proud, Mrs. Sparsit made Bounderby's breakfast tea. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘Her father always had it in his head,’ resumed Childers, feigning unconsciousness of Mr. Bounderby’s existence, ‘that she was to be taught the deuce-and-all of education. Go to

2. While thus engaged, he overheard such phrases in Mr. Bounderby’s voice as ‘No. _I_ say no. Go to

3. Mrs. Sparsit was this lady’s name; and she was a prominent figure in attendance on Mr. Bounderby’s car, as it rolled along in triumph with the Bully of humility inside. Go to

4. And here she was now, in her elderly days, with the Coriolanian style of nose and the dense black eyebrows which had captivated Sparsit, making Mr. Bounderby’s tea as he took his breakfast. Go to

bowed /boʊd/ (13 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: vergou; curvou-se; inclinou-se

Simple English: Bent forward or downward.

Example: The long grass bowed before the wind.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Stop!’ Girl number twenty stopped, breathing hard, and bowed to him. Go to

breathed /briːðd/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: respirou; aspirou

Simple English: Took air into the body through the nose or mouth.

Example: She breathed in the sweet smell of the flowers.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. A slow, heavy boy who breathed noisily suggested that he would paint the room instead of using wallpaper. Go to

brentford /ˈbrɛntfərd/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Brentford

Simple English: Brentford is a town near London, England.

Example: Arthur lived upstairs in Compeyson's house near Brentford.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Signor Jupe would show his trained dog Merrylegs, perform amazing feats of strength, tell jokes, and finish with a funny play called _The Tailor's Journey to Brentford_. Go to

Original English Version

1. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Go to

brightened /ˈbraɪtənd/ (8 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: iluminaram-se; brilharam

Simple English: Became brighter or happier.

Example: Her face brightened at the good news.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. There was an air of jaded sullenness in them both, and particularly in the girl: yet, struggling through the dissatisfaction of her face, there was a light with nothing to rest upon, a fire with nothing to burn, a starved imagination keeping life in itself somehow, which brightened its expression. Go to

2. In the measure that he would not allow his own youth to have been attended by a single favourable circumstance, he brightened Mrs. Sparsit’s juvenile career with every possible advantage, and showered waggon-loads of early roses all over that lady’s path. Go to

broad /brɔːd/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ampla; largo; vasto

Simple English: Having a large distance between one side and another.

Example: The river is broad enough for several boats to cross at once.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. His broad forehead, hard mouth, dry commanding voice, and stiff hair all made him look severe. Go to

2. He had a thin pale face, much dark hair, strong short legs, and a very broad chest and back. Go to

brows /braʊz/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: sobrancelhas; fronte

Simple English: The eyebrows, or the forehead above them.

Example: He wiped his brows with the back of his hand.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It was a large square house with a heavy entrance that darkened the main windows, just as its owner's brows shaded his eyes. Go to

Original English Version

1. A great square house, with a heavy portico darkening the principal windows, as its master’s heavy brows overshadowed his eyes. Go to

2. ‘This is a very obtrusive lad!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, turning, and knitting his brows on him. Go to

bruises /ˈbruːzɪz/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: hematomas; contusões; roxos

Simple English: Dark marks on the skin caused by a knock or a fall.

Example: The goalkeeper showed us the bruises on his knees after the match.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Sometimes they get terrible bruises.’ Go to

2. ‘When I was four or five years younger than you, my bruises were so bad that ten, twenty, or forty oils could not have removed them. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘By George!’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘when I was four or five years younger than you, I had worse bruises upon me than ten oils, twenty oils, forty oils, would have rubbed off. Go to

brute /bruːt/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: bruto; besta; animal irracional

Simple English: An animal, or a rough cruel person who behaves like one.

Example: Do not call the poor dog a brute just because it is big.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The men muttered, ‘Shame!’ and the women said, ‘Brute!’ Sleary quickly gave Bounderby some private advice. Go to

Original English Version

1. The men muttered ‘Shame!’ and the women ‘Brute!’ and Sleary, in some haste, communicated the following hint, apart to Mr. Bounderby. Go to

cabinets /ˈkæbɪnəts/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: armários; vitrines

Simple English: Pieces of furniture with shelves or drawers for keeping things.

Example: The china figures stood in glass cabinets.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Young people do not have circus masters, keep circuses in cabinets, or attend lectures about them. Go to

2. Despite its books, cabinets, and many educational tools, it felt rather like a room for cutting hair. Go to

Original English Version

1. The little Gradgrinds had cabinets in various departments of science too. Go to

2. ‘You know, as well as I do, no young people have circus masters, or keep circuses in cabinets, or attend lectures about circuses. Go to

3. Being left to saunter in the hall a minute or two while Mr. Gradgrind went up-stairs for the address, he opened the door of the children’s study and looked into that serene floor-clothed apartment, which, notwithstanding its book-cases and its cabinets and its variety of learned and philosophical appliances, had much of the genial aspect of a room devoted to hair-cutting. Go to

calais /ˈkæleɪ/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Calais

Simple English: a port city in northern France

Example: The drive on Calais has failed, as I was sure it would.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He died at twenty-four in Calais because of brandy, leaving his separated wife poor. Go to

Original English Version

1. Thus, when he died, at twenty-four (the scene of his decease, Calais, and the cause, brandy), he did not leave his widow, from whom he had been separated soon after the honeymoon, in affluent circumstances. Go to

capture /ˈkæptʃər/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: capturar; captura; captar

Simple English: To catch and keep someone or something under control.

Example: They managed to capture several rare birds for study.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I use the word only to describe a many-headed teacher who captured childhood and dragged it into dark caves of statistics. Go to

2. Bounderby displayed Mrs. Sparsit like a conqueror showing a captured princess. Go to

carpets /ˈkɑːrpəts/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: tapetes

Simple English: Thick covers for floors made of wool or cloth.

Example: Dusty carpets were piled in the corner.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. We do not walk on flowers, so carpets cannot show flowers. Go to

Original English Version

1. You don’t walk upon flowers in fact; you cannot be allowed to walk upon flowers in carpets. Go to

cecilia /sɪˈsɪliə/ (16 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Cecília

Simple English: a character's first name

Example: He also knew, in a vague way, that the house and meals were very different under Aunt Martha than they had been under Cecilia.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Call yourself Cecilia.” Go to

2. Cecilia Jupe, what does your father do?” Go to

3. “Cecilia Jupe, you must do nothing of that kind,” Thomas Gradgrind repeated seriously. Go to

4. ‘Her name is Cecilia Jupe,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, looking rather shocked at his friend. Go to

5. Cecilia, if you want to become an apprentice, you know the work and your companions. Go to

6. Goodbye, Cecilia!” Go to

Original English Version

1. Call yourself Cecilia.’ Go to

2. Cecilia Jupe. Go to

3. ‘You are not, Cecilia Jupe,’ Thomas Gradgrind solemnly repeated, ‘to do anything of that kind.’ Go to

4. ‘Cecilia Jupe, by name,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, with something of a stricken look at his friend. Go to

5. ‘Good-bye, Cecilia!’ ‘Good-bye, Sissy!’ ‘God bless you, dear!’ In a variety of voices from all the room. Go to

centimetres /ˈsɛntɪmiːtərz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: centímetros

Simple English: Metric units of length equal to one hundredth of a metre.

Example: The narrow opening measured only twenty centimetres.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It was completely wet, with thirty centimetres of water,’ said Mr. Bounderby. Go to

chapels /ˈtʃæpəlz/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: capelas

Simple English: Small places of Christian worship, sometimes attached to a larger building.

Example: The village chapels had tall white spires.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Eighteen religious groups had built chapels, but each looked like a holy red-brick warehouse, sometimes with a bell in a cage on top. Go to

chaplain /ˈtʃæplɪn/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: capelão

Simple English: A priest who works with soldiers or in an institution.

Example: The chaplain visited the men every Sunday.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The prison chaplain used more tables to show that they visited hidden, disreputable places to hear songs, watch dances, and perhaps join in. Go to

Original English Version

1. Then came the experienced chaplain of the jail, with more tabular statements, outdoing all the previous tabular statements, and showing that the same people _would_ resort to low haunts, hidden from the public eye, where they heard low singing and saw low dancing, and mayhap joined in it; and where A. B., aged twenty-four next birthday, and committed for eighteen months’ solitary, had himself said (not that he had ever shown himself particularly worthy of belief) his ruin began, as he was perfectly sure and confident that otherwise he would have been a tip-top moral specimen. Go to

cheaply /ˈtʃiːpli/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: barato; a baixo preço

Simple English: For a low price.

Example: He sells fruit cheaply at the market.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. From the maternity hospital to the cemetery, anything that could not be expressed in numbers, bought cheaply, and sold dearly did not exist and never would. Go to

chemists /ˈkemɪsts/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: químicos; farmacêuticos

Simple English: people who study chemistry or prepare and sell medicines

Example: The gathering included chemists who hoped to transform metals.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Chemists showed that when they did not drink, they took opium. Go to

chief /tʃiːf/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: chefe; principal; diretor

Simple English: The most important or highest-ranking person or thing.

Example: The chief executive will announce the new company strategy tomorrow.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I went from homeless boy to messenger, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, and finally Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Go to

childers /ˈtʃɪldərz/ (54 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Childers

Simple English: the surname of a circus performer in the story

Example: Childers, famous for a dangerous riding act as the Wild Huntsman.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He was Mr. E. W. B. Childers, famous for a dangerous riding act as the Wild Huntsman. Go to

2. ‘Excuse me, gentlemen,’ said Mr. Childers, looking around. Go to

3. Mr. Childers looked him from head to foot and replied, ‘I do not have the honour of knowing you. Go to

4. ‘Kidderminster, stop that!’ said Mr. Childers. Go to

5. ‘Kidderminster, stop!’ Mr. Childers said more loudly. Go to

6. Mr. Childers explained, ‘He did not do what he should. Go to

Original English Version

1. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Go to

2. ‘By your leaves, gentlemen,’ said Mr. E. W. B. Childers, glancing round the room. Go to

3. ‘I have not,’ retorted Mr. Childers, after surveying him from head to foot, ‘the honour of knowing _you_, - but if you mean that you can make more money of your time than I can of mine, I should judge from your appearance, that you are about right.’ Go to

4. ‘Kidderminster, stow that!’ said Mr. Childers. (Master Kidderminster was Cupid’s mortal name.) Go to

5. ‘Kidderminster,’ said Mr. Childers, raising his voice, ‘stow that! - Sir,’ to Mr. Gradgrind, ‘I was addressing myself to you. Go to

6. Was short in his leaps and bad in his tumbling,’ Mr. Childers interpreted. Go to

childlike /ˈtʃaɪldlaɪk/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: infantil; de criança

Simple English: Simple and open, like a child.

Example: He wrote in large childlike letters.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Yet they were gentle and childlike, disliked dishonest tricks, and were always ready to help and pity one another. Go to

chimneys /ˈtʃɪmniz/ (24 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: chaminés

Simple English: Tall pipes that carry smoke out of a building.

Example: Smoke rose from the factory chimneys.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It was full of machines and tall chimneys that sent out endless snakes of smoke. Go to

Original English Version

1. It was a town of machinery and tall chimneys, out of which interminable serpents of smoke trailed themselves for ever and ever, and never got uncoiled. Go to

churchgoers /ˈtʃɜːrtʃɡoʊərz/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: frequentadores de igreja

Simple English: People who regularly attend church services.

Example: The boys avoided fishing where churchgoers might see them.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. They watched churchgoers as if religion had nothing to do with them. Go to

circuses /ˈsɜːrkəsɪz/ (7 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: circos

Simple English: Traveling shows with performers, clowns, acrobats, and trained animals.

Example: Even people who rarely visited circuses came to the show.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘With my head hurting as it does, why could you not look at the shells, minerals, and other things provided for you instead of circuses?’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. Go to

2. ‘Young people do not have circus masters, keep circuses in cabinets, or attend lectures about them. Go to

3. Why would you want to know about circuses? Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘As if, with my head in its present throbbing state, you couldn’t go and look at the shells and minerals and things provided for you, instead of circuses!’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. Go to

2. ‘You know, as well as I do, no young people have circus masters, or keep circuses in cabinets, or attend lectures about circuses. Go to

3. What can you possibly want to know of circuses then? Go to

clasped /klæspt/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: apertou; segurou firme; entrelaçou

Simple English: Held something tightly, especially with the hands.

Example: He clasped my hand and thanked me again and again.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She rushed back down, opened an old damaged trunk, found it empty, and looked around with clasped hands and a terrified face. Go to

Original English Version

1. She came bounding down again in a great hurry, opened a battered and mangy old hair trunk, found it empty, and looked round with her hands clasped and her face full of terror. Go to

coketown /ˈkoʊktaʊn/ (177 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Coketown

Simple English: the name of a fictional industrial town in the story

Example: Stone Lodge stood on open land a short distance from the large industrial town of Coketown.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Stone Lodge stood on open land a short distance from the large industrial town of Coketown. Go to

2. At public meetings in Coketown, someone always described Gradgrind as extremely practical, and the compliment pleased him. Go to

3. I went from homeless boy to messenger, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, and finally Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Go to

4. Coketown, where Mr. Bounderby and Mr. Gradgrind were now going, was a victory of fact. Go to

5. Most of these features of Coketown were necessary for the industry that supported it. Go to

6. In return, the town produced comforts used around the world and luxuries enjoyed by elegant ladies who could hardly bear to hear Coketown mentioned. Go to

Original English Version

1. Stone Lodge was situated on a moor within a mile or two of a great town - called Coketown in the present faithful guide-book. Go to

2. Whatsoever the public meeting held in Coketown, and whatsoever the subject of such meeting, some Coketowner was sure to seize the occasion of alluding to his eminently practical friend Gradgrind. Go to

3. Vagabond, errand-boy, vagabond, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Go to

4. Josiah Bounderby of Coketown learnt his letters from the outsides of the shops, Mrs. Gradgrind, and was first able to tell the time upon a dial-plate, from studying the steeple clock of St. Giles’s Church, London, under the direction of a drunken cripple, who was a convicted thief, and an incorrigible vagrant. Go to

5. Tell Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, of your district schools and your model schools, and your training schools, and your whole kettle-of-fish of schools; and Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, tells you plainly, all right, all correct - he hadn’t such advantages - but let us have hard-headed, solid-fisted people - the education that made him won’t do for everybody, he knows well - such and such his education was, however, and you may force him to swallow boiling fat, but you shall never force him to suppress the facts of his life.’ Go to

6. Being heated when he arrived at this climax, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown stopped. Go to

coketown's /ˈkoʊktaʊnz/ (11 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Coketown

Simple English: possessive form of the fictional town name Coketown

Example: Let us sound Coketown's main note.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Before we continue our tune, let us sound Coketown’s main note. Go to

coldly /ˈkoʊldli/ (8 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: friamente; com frieza

Simple English: In an unfriendly way, without warmth or feeling.

Example: He answered coldly and turned back to his newspaper.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She watched him closely while Louisa stood coldly nearby, looking at the floor. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘You can take one, Mr. Bounderby,’ returned Louisa, when she had coldly paused, and slowly walked across the room, and ungraciously raised her cheek towards him, with her face turned away. Go to

2. She stood looking intently at him, and Louisa stood coldly by, with her eyes upon the ground, while he proceeded thus: Go to

collapse /kəˈlæps/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: colapso; desmoronar; recolher

Simple English: A sudden drop in value, such as in stocks.

Example: The market experienced a collapse, and many investors lost money.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She collapsed and gave up. Go to

comforts /ˈkʌmfərts/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: comodidades; conforto

Simple English: Things that make life easy and pleasant.

Example: He missed the small comforts of his own kitchen.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. In return, the town produced comforts used around the world and luxuries enjoyed by elegant ladies who could hardly bear to hear Coketown mentioned. Go to

Original English Version

1. These attributes of Coketown were in the main inseparable from the work by which it was sustained; against them were to be set off, comforts of life which found their way all over the world, and elegancies of life which made, we will not ask how much of the fine lady, who could scarcely bear to hear the place mentioned. Go to

command /kəˈmænd/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: comando; comandar; ordem

Simple English: A specific instruction for a computer to execute a task.

Example: You need to enter the right command to run the program successfully.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. His broad forehead, hard mouth, dry commanding voice, and stiff hair all made him look severe. Go to

confidence /ˈkɒnfɪdəns/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: confiança

Simple English: Belief that one can trust or rely on someone.

Example: His confidence in the team's skills inspired everyone to perform better.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “Girl number twenty,” said the man, smiling with the calm confidence of knowledge. Go to

congratulates /kənˈɡrætʃəleɪts/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: parabeniza

Simple English: Expresses pleasure or praise for someone's success or good fortune.

Example: The riding master congratulates the performer.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He opened his arms, took both her hands, and would normally have bounced her up and down as a riding master congratulates a performer. Go to

conqueror /ˈkɑːŋkərər/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: conquistador

Simple English: A person who wins land by war.

Example: The conqueror entered the city at dawn.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Bounderby displayed Mrs. Sparsit like a conqueror showing a captured princess. Go to

Original English Version

1. If Bounderby had been a Conqueror, and Mrs. Sparsit a captive Princess whom he took about as a feature in his state-processions, he could not have made a greater flourish with her than he habitually did. Go to

constantly /ˈkɒnstəntli/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: constantemente; continuamente

Simple English: Without pause or interruption; occurring all the time.

Example: She is constantly checking her phone for new messages and notifications.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. In his loud, brass-like voice, he constantly announced his former ignorance and poverty. Go to

creature /ˈkriːtʃər/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: criatura

Simple English: Any living being that can move on its own.

Example: The forest is full of strange creatures at night.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘For years, madam, I was one of the most miserable little creatures anyone had seen. Go to

cupid /ˈkjuːpɪd/ (8 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Cupido

Simple English: the Roman god of love, mentioned here as a playful comparison for a mail carrier

Example: The mail carrier did not at all look the part of a messenger of Cupid.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. On stage the boy dressed as Cupid, but in private he wore a short coat, had a rough voice, and behaved like a man of the horse-racing world. Go to

2. ‘And after making money, I suppose you can keep it too,’ said Cupid. Go to

3. Cupid replied, ‘Then lower yourself! Go to

Original English Version

1. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy. Go to

2. ‘And when you have made it, you can keep it too, I should think,’ said Cupid. Go to

3. ‘Lower yourself, then,’ retorted Cupid. Go to

cupid's /ˈkjuːpɪdz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Cupido

Simple English: refers to the curved shape of Cupid's bow, used to describe a person's lips

Example: Wouldn't you like your lips to curve like Cupid's bow?

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Kidderminster was Cupid’s real name. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘Kidderminster, stow that!’ said Mr. Childers. (Master Kidderminster was Cupid’s mortal name.) Go to

curtsey /ˈkɜːrtsi/ (9 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: reverência; fazer uma reverência

Simple English: A respectful bending of the knees by a woman or girl, or to make that gesture.

Example: Alice tried to curtsey as she spoke.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. ‘It’s father as calls me Sissy, sir,’ returned the young girl in a trembling voice, and with another curtsey. Go to

2. Stop!’ Girl number twenty stopped then, palpitating, and made him a curtsey. Go to

curtsied /ˈkɜːrtsid/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: fez uma reverência

Simple English: Bent the knees in a formal gesture of respect.

Example: Dab-Dab curtsied like a ballerina.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She blushed, stood up, and curtsied. Go to

2. Sissy curtsied again, still deeply red. Go to

3. The girl curtsied and sat down. Go to

4. She curtsied to Bounderby, Gradgrind, and Louisa, but nervously forgot Mrs. Sparsit. Go to

curtsy /ˈkɜːrtsi/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: mesura; reverência

Simple English: A polite movement in which a woman bends her knees and lowers her body.

Example: The Queen made a curtsy and smiled.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “My father calls me Sissy, sir,” the girl replied in a trembling voice, making another curtsy. Go to

dampness /ˈdæmpnəs/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: umidade

Simple English: The state of being slightly wet.

Example: The dampness of the cellar spoiled the books.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He stood there partly because the spring afternoon was cool, though sunny; partly because dampness always seemed to haunt Stone Lodge; and partly because this position helped him dominate Mrs. Gradgrind. Go to

darkened /ˈdɑːrkənd/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: escureceu; ficou escuro

Simple English: Made or became darker.

Example: Smoke darkened the room.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It was a large square house with a heavy entrance that darkened the main windows, just as its owner's brows shaded his eyes. Go to

dearest /ˈdɪrɪst/ (11 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: querido; caríssimo; mais caro

Simple English: Most loved; also most expensive.

Example: My dearest wish is to see the sea again before I grow old.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. The M’Choakumchild school was all fact, and the school of design was all fact, and the relations between master and man were all fact, and everything was fact between the lying-in hospital and the cemetery, and what you couldn’t state in figures, or show to be purchaseable in the cheapest market and saleable in the dearest, was not, and never should be, world without end, Amen. Go to

dearly /ˈdɪrli/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: muito; ternamente

Simple English: Very much, with deep love.

Example: She loved the little dog dearly.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. From the maternity hospital to the cemetery, anything that could not be expressed in numbers, bought cheaply, and sold dearly did not exist and never would. Go to

Decoration /ˌdɛkəˈreɪʃən/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: decoração; enfeite

Simple English: Adding design and beauty to something for visual appeal.

Example: We chose colorful decoration for the party to make it festive.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Decorations should use simple mathematical shapes and basic colors. Go to

deliberately /dɪˈlɪbərətli/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: deliberadamente; propósito; intencionalmente

Simple English: Done consciously and intentionally, not by accident.

Example: He deliberately ignored the warning signs while driving on the icy road.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Surely no sensible person who understood numbers would claim that an important human need of the workers had been deliberately ignored for many years. Go to

delight (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: prazer; alegria; encanto

Simple English: great pleasure or to please someone

Example: The children laughed with delight.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Bounderby bent his knees and held his legs in delight, laughing loudly. Go to

desert /dɪˈzɜːrt/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: deserto; desertar; sobremesa

Simple English: A dry area with little rain.

Example: The Sahara is a desert.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Girl, your father has run away and deserted you. Go to

desperate /ˈdɛspərət/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: desesperado

Simple English: Being in a dangerous situation and acting without care.

Example: In a desperate attempt, he jumped into the water to save her.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Mr. Gradgrind looked desperate and asked, ‘What does this rude boy mean by “tight rope”?’ Go to

disgraced /dɪsˈɡreɪst/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: desonrado; caído em desgraça

Simple English: Having lost honour and the respect of others.

Example: The disgraced officer left the town.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. Dumb with amazement, Mr. Gradgrind crossed to the spot where his family was thus disgraced, laid his hand upon each erring child, and said: Go to

disliked /dɪsˈlaɪkt/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: não gostava de; detestava

Simple English: Did not like someone or something.

Example: He disliked long meetings.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Yet they were gentle and childlike, disliked dishonest tricks, and were always ready to help and pity one another. Go to

display /dɪˈspleɪ/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: exibir; exibição; visor

Simple English: To publicly show something for observation or attention.

Example: The museum will display a collection of ancient artifacts next month.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Bounderby proudly displayed her beside him, although he always claimed to be humble. Go to

2. Bounderby displayed Mrs. Sparsit like a conqueror showing a captured princess. Go to

disreputable /dɪsˈrɛpjətəbəl/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de má reputação; desonroso

Simple English: Having a bad reputation or not considered respectable.

Example: They visited hidden and disreputable places.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The prison chaplain used more tables to show that they visited hidden, disreputable places to hear songs, watch dances, and perhaps join in. Go to

dissatisfaction /dɪsˌsætɪsˈfækʃən/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: insatisfação

Simple English: The feeling of not being pleased or content.

Example: Her dissatisfaction was clear from her expression.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Yet a restless light shone through her dissatisfaction. Go to

Original English Version

1. There was an air of jaded sullenness in them both, and particularly in the girl: yet, struggling through the dissatisfaction of her face, there was a light with nothing to rest upon, a fire with nothing to burn, a starved imagination keeping life in itself somehow, which brightened its expression. Go to

dissatisfied /dɪsˈsætɪsfaɪd/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: insatisfeito

Simple English: Not pleased because something is not good enough.

Example: He remained dissatisfied with his work.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. These supposedly proved that the workers were bad, ungrateful, restless, demanding, and always dissatisfied, however much others did for them. Go to

Original English Version

1. Then came Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby, the two gentlemen at this present moment walking through Coketown, and both eminently practical, who could, on occasion, furnish more tabular statements derived from their own personal experience, and illustrated by cases they had known and seen, from which it clearly appeared - in short, it was the only clear thing in the case - that these same people were a bad lot altogether, gentlemen; that do what you would for them they were never thankful for it, gentlemen; that they were restless, gentlemen; that they never knew what they wanted; that they lived upon the best, and bought fresh butter; and insisted on Mocha coffee, and rejected all but prime parts of meat, and yet were eternally dissatisfied and unmanageable. Go to

dominate /ˈdɒmɪˌneɪt/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: dominar

Simple English: To exert control or influence over someone or something fully.

Example: The larger nation aimed to dominate the smaller countries in the region.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He stood there partly because the spring afternoon was cool, though sunny; partly because dampness always seemed to haunt Stone Lodge; and partly because this position helped him dominate Mrs. Gradgrind. Go to

drunkard /ˈdrʌŋkərd/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: bêbado; beberrão

Simple English: A person who often drinks too much alcohol.

Example: The drunkard sang all the way home.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It looked exhausted and shabby, as if the lack of customers had made the building itself begin to drink, follow the path of every drunkard, and approach its end. Go to

eagerly /ˈiːɡərli/ (9 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: avidamente; com entusiasmo

Simple English: In a way that shows strong interest or excitement.

Example: She looked eagerly at the strange new sights.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Then he saw something almost unbelievable: his own Louisa was looking eagerly through a hole in a wooden board, while his son Thomas lay on the ground trying to see even one hoof of the graceful rider. Go to

Original English Version

1. Indeed, as he eagerly sparkled at them from the cellarage before mentioned, he seemed a kind of cannon loaded to the muzzle with facts, and prepared to blow them clean out of the regions of childhood at one discharge. Go to

emerge /ɪˈmɜːrdʒ/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: emergir; surgir; surgem

Simple English: To become visible after being hidden or not noticed.

Example: New ideas tend to emerge during discussions with creative people.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Coketown did not emerge from its furnaces as pure as gold. Go to

eminently /ˈemɪnəntli/ (16 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: eminentemente; notavelmente

Simple English: To a notable, outstanding, or very high degree.

Example: He liked to describe himself as an eminently practical father.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. He was an affectionate father, after his manner; but he would probably have described himself (if he had been put, like Sissy Jupe, upon a definition) as ‘an eminently practical’ father. Go to

2. He had a particular pride in the phrase eminently practical, which was considered to have a special application to him. Go to

3. Whatsoever the public meeting held in Coketown, and whatsoever the subject of such meeting, some Coketowner was sure to seize the occasion of alluding to his eminently practical friend Gradgrind. Go to

4. This always pleased the eminently practical friend. Go to

5. Would have been self-willed (he thought in his eminently practical way) but for her bringing-up. Go to

6. A year or two younger than his eminently practical friend, Mr. Bounderby looked older; his seven or eight and forty might have had the seven or eight added to it again, without surprising anybody. Go to

errand /ˈɛrənd/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: missão

Simple English: A short trip made to deliver, collect, or perform something.

Example: She went into town on a special errand.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Less than an hour ago, Jupe sent his daughter on an errand. Go to

Original English Version

1. Vagabond, errand-boy, vagabond, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Go to

2. ‘Jupe sent his daughter out on an errand not an hour ago, and then was seen to slip out himself, with his hat over his eyes, and a bundle tied up in a handkerchief under his arm. Go to

exactness /ɪɡˈzæktnəs/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: exatidão; precisão; rigor

Simple English: The quality of being completely correct in every detail.

Example: The old clock keeps time with surprising exactness.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. You are full of facts and trained in mathematical exactness. Go to

Original English Version

1. Thomas and you, to whom the circle of the sciences is open; Thomas and you, who may be said to be replete with facts; Thomas and you, who have been trained to mathematical exactness; Thomas and you, here!’ cried Mr. Gradgrind. Go to

examination /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃən/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: exame; examinação; análise

Simple English: A formal test assessing someone's knowledge or skill in a subject.

Example: The final examination will cover all the topics we studied this semester.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. After a pause, half the children shouted, “Yes, sir!” The other half saw that this answer was wrong from the man's face, so they shouted, “No, sir!” That often happened in such examinations. Go to

excused /ɪkˈskjuːzd/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: desculpou; dispensou

Simple English: Forgave a fault, or allowed someone not to do something.

Example: She excused herself and left the table.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I have never excused her. Go to

Original English Version

1. Have I ever excused her for it? Go to

eyeglass /ˈaɪɡlæs/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: monóculo

Simple English: a single lens worn to help one eye see

Example: He raised his eyeglass to inspect the address.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He took out his eyeglass to find any pupil he could order away. Go to

Original English Version

1. A space of stunted grass and dry rubbish being between him and the young rabble, he took his eyeglass out of his waistcoat to look for any child he knew by name, and might order off. Go to

eyelashes /ˈaɪlæʃɪz/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: cílios; pestanas

Simple English: The short hairs that grow on the edge of the eyelids.

Example: Snow settled on her eyelashes.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Bitzer blinked quickly at Mr. Gradgrind; the light on his eyelashes made them look like insect feelers. Go to

Failure /ˈfeɪljər/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: falha; fracasso; insuficiência

Simple English: Absence of success or unsuccessful result of effort.

Example: The project was considered a failure due to poor planning and execution.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘The remarkable fact is that Jupe suffered more because his daughter knew he had failed than because of the failure itself.’ Go to

fairies /ˈfɛriz/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: fadas

Simple English: Small magic people in old stories.

Example: The children looked for fairies in the garden.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. There were young women, husbands, mothers, and many children who played fairies. Go to

fanciful /ˈfænsɪfəl/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: fantasioso

Simple English: created by imagination and often unrealistic

Example: His imagination was fanciful, though he loved reality.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It was too dark outside to see the sign and not light enough inside to see the picture, so the fanciful images did not offend Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby. Go to

farrier /ˈfæriər/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ferrador

Simple English: A craftsperson who shoes horses and cares for their hooves.

Example: The farrier pushed through the crowd with a hammer.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He is an animal doctor, a farrier, and a horse trainer. Go to

Original English Version

1. He is a veterinary surgeon, a farrier, and horsebreaker. Go to

feather /ˈfɛðər/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: pluma; pena; penas

Simple English: Any light and soft covering on a bird's body.

Example: The feather floated gently down from the sky before landing softly.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The poor room held a bed and Signor Jupe’s stage cap, decorated with peacock feathers and a stiff pigtail. Go to

2. People like you, raised on soft feathers, cannot understand that. Go to

feats /fiːts/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: façanhas; feitos

Simple English: Remarkable acts that require courage, strength, or skill.

Example: The knight was famous for his feats of arms.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Signor Jupe would show his trained dog Merrylegs, perform amazing feats of strength, tell jokes, and finish with a funny play called _The Tailor's Journey to Brentford_. Go to

feelers /ˈfiːlərz/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: antenas (de inseto)

Simple English: The long thin parts on an insect's head used for touching.

Example: Two feelers moved slowly in the air.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Bitzer blinked quickly at Mr. Gradgrind; the light on his eyelashes made them look like insect feelers. Go to

fetched /fetʃt/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: buscou; trouxe

Simple English: Went to get and bring back someone or something.

Example: His sister fetched the bottle and poured the brandy.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. They followed the girl up steep stairs and waited in darkness while she fetched a candle. Go to

fireside /ˈfaɪərsaɪd/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: canto da lareira

Simple English: The place beside a fire in a house.

Example: They sat at the fireside until late.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. ‘Bounderby,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, drawing a chair to the fireside, ‘you are always so interested in my young people - particularly in Louisa - that I make no apology for saying to you, I am very much vexed by this discovery. Go to

flash /flæʃ/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: flash; piscar; instantâneo

Simple English: To shine brightly for a brief and sudden time.

Example: The camera will flash when you take the picture at night.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Its uncertain flashes were not the natural happiness of youth; they were painful, like the expression of a blind person searching for a path. Go to

foolishness /ˈfuːlɪʃnəs/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: tolice; insensatez

Simple English: Behaviour that shows no good sense.

Example: He later laughed at his own foolishness.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “In the name of wonder, laziness, and foolishness,” said Mr. Gradgrind as he led them away by the hands, “what are you doing here?” Go to

fortune /ˈfɔːrtʃən/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: fortuna; sorte; fonseca

Simple English: Very large sum of money or valuable assets.

Example: She inherited a fortune from her grandparents and became very wealthy.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘I hope you make your fortune, and I promise none of our poor people will trouble you. Go to

fractions /ˈfrækʃənz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: frações

Simple English: Parts of a whole, especially quantities written as one number divided by another.

Example: Gilbert kept working at his fractions.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Little Jane had covered her face with a wet mixture of slate pencil and tears, then fallen asleep over her fractions. Go to

Original English Version

1. Adam Smith and Malthus, two younger Gradgrinds, were out at lecture in custody; and little Jane, after manufacturing a good deal of moist pipe-clay on her face with slate-pencil and tears, had fallen asleep over vulgar fractions. Go to

freckled /ˈfrɛkəld/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: sardento

Simple English: Having small brown spots on the skin.

Example: A freckled boy opened the door.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Then he touched his freckled forehead with his knuckles and sat down. Go to

Original English Version

1. Bitzer, after rapidly blinking at Thomas Gradgrind with both eyes at once, and so catching the light upon his quivering ends of lashes that they looked like the antennæ of busy insects, put his knuckles to his freckled forehead, and sat down again. Go to

frown /fraʊn/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: carranca; cenho franzido

Simple English: A look with the eyebrows down that shows anger or worry.

Example: A frown crossed his tired face.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘This boy is very rude!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, turning toward him with an angry frown. Go to

frowned /fraʊnd/ (8 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: franziu o cenho

Simple English: Moved the eyebrows down to show anger or worry.

Example: The teacher frowned at the noisy class.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Mr. Gradgrind frowned and waved away this unacceptable profession. Go to

2. He frowned impatiently. Go to

Original English Version

1. Mr. Gradgrind frowned, and waved off the objectionable calling with his hand. Go to

2. He frowned impatiently. Go to

furnaces /ˈfɜːrnɪsɪz/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: fornalhas

Simple English: Closed fires used for heating or for melting metal.

Example: The furnaces roared all night long.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Coketown did not emerge from its furnaces as pure as gold. Go to

Original English Version

1. Coketown did not come out of its own furnaces, in all respects like gold that had stood the fire. Go to

garters /ˈɡɑːrtərz/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: fitas de salto circense

Simple English: In historical circus language, tapes held horizontally for a performer or horse to leap over.

Example: The performer tried the garters four times and failed each leap.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘He tried the Garters four times last night and failed every time,’ said Kidderminster. Go to

2. ‘Nine oils, Merrylegs, failed acts, garters, banners, and tumbling!’ Bounderby cried with his loudest laugh. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘Offered at the Garters four times last night, and never done ’em once,’ said Master Kidderminster. Go to

2. ‘Nine oils, Merrylegs, missing tips, garters, banners, and Ponging, eh!’ ejaculated Bounderby, with his laugh of laughs. Go to

gauze /ɡɔːz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: gaze; tecido leve e transparente

Simple English: Very thin, light cloth that you can see through.

Example: She wore a gown of green silk gauze.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. His wings were real gauze, golden stars covered his body, and his fine harness was red silk. Go to

Original English Version

1. Framed and glazed upon the wall behind the dingy little bar, was another Pegasus - a theatrical one - with real gauze let in for his wings, golden stars stuck on all over him, and his ethereal harness made of red silk. Go to

gentleman's /ˈdʒɛntəlmənz/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: do cavalheiro; do senhor

Simple English: Belonging to a man of good manners or high rank.

Example: The gentleman's coat was left behind.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. After a pause, one half of the children cried in chorus, ‘Yes, sir!’ Upon which the other half, seeing in the gentleman’s face that Yes was wrong, cried out in chorus, ‘No, sir!’ - as the custom is, in these examinations. Go to

gentleness /ˈdʒentəlnəs/ (7 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: gentileza; brandura; suavidade

Simple English: The quality of being kind, calm and careful with others.

Example: He handled the injured bird with great gentleness.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. Yet there was a remarkable gentleness and childishness about these people, a special inaptitude for any kind of sharp practice, and an untiring readiness to help and pity one another, deserving often of as much respect, and always of as much generous construction, as the every-day virtues of any class of people in the world. Go to

giles's /ˈdʒaɪlzɪz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Giles

Simple English: belonging to Giles, as in 'St. Giles's', a district name

Example: Soldiers went to St. Giles's to search for smuggled goods.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I learned the alphabet from shop signs and learned to tell time from the clock of St. Giles’s Church in London, taught by a drunken disabled man who was a convicted thief and lifelong wanderer. Go to

Original English Version

1. Josiah Bounderby of Coketown learnt his letters from the outsides of the shops, Mrs. Gradgrind, and was first able to tell the time upon a dial-plate, from studying the steeple clock of St. Giles’s Church, London, under the direction of a drunken cripple, who was a convicted thief, and an incorrigible vagrant. Go to

glanced /ɡlænst/ (14 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: lançou um olhar; deu uma olhada

Simple English: Looked at something quickly.

Example: She glanced at the clock and stood up.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. The boy stopped in his rapid blinking, knuckled his forehead again, glanced at Sissy, turned about, and retreated. Go to

2. ‘Serve ’em right,’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘for being idle.’ She glanced up at his face, with mingled astonishment and dread. Go to

glaring /ˈɡlerɪŋ/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: fulgurante; ofuscante; gritante

Simple English: Looking at someone with hard angry eyes.

Example: He sat glaring at the closed door.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “Of course not,” said the man, glaring at those who were wrong. Go to

graceful /ˈɡreɪsfəl/ (9 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: gracioso; elegante; airoso

Simple English: Moving or shaped in a smooth and attractive way.

Example: The dancer made one graceful turn and stopped.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Then he saw something almost unbelievable: his own Louisa was looking eagerly through a hole in a wooden board, while his son Thomas lay on the ground trying to see even one hoof of the graceful rider. Go to

Original English Version

1. Miss Josephine Sleary, as some very long and very narrow strips of printed bill announced, was then inaugurating the entertainments with her graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act. Go to

2. Phenomenon almost incredible though distinctly seen, what did he then behold but his own metallurgical Louisa, peeping with all her might through a hole in a deal board, and his own mathematical Thomas abasing himself on the ground to catch but a hoof of the graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act! Go to

gradgrind /ˈɡrædɡraɪnd/ (608 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Gradgrind

Simple English: the surname of Thomas Gradgrind, a strict, fact-obsessed character in Hard Times.

Example: Harthouse and Tom Gradgrind were in the garden.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Thomas Gradgrind was a man of facts and calculations. Go to

2. This was how Mr. Gradgrind always introduced himself in his mind, both privately and publicly. Go to

3. “Girl number twenty,” said Mr. Gradgrind, pointing firmly, “I don't know that girl. Go to

4. “Sissy is not a proper name,” said Mr. Gradgrind. Go to

5. “Then he should not,” said Mr. Gradgrind. Go to

6. Mr. Gradgrind frowned and waved away this unacceptable profession. Go to

Original English Version

1. THOMAS GRADGRIND, sir. Go to

2. Thomas Gradgrind, sir - peremptorily Thomas - Thomas Gradgrind. Go to

3. You might hope to get some other nonsensical belief into the head of George Gradgrind, or Augustus Gradgrind, or John Gradgrind, or Joseph Gradgrind (all supposititious, non-existent persons), but into the head of Thomas Gradgrind - no, sir! Go to

4. In such terms Mr. Gradgrind always mentally introduced himself, whether to his private circle of acquaintance, or to the public in general. Go to

5. In such terms, no doubt, substituting the words ‘boys and girls,’ for ‘sir,’ Thomas Gradgrind now presented Thomas Gradgrind to the little pitchers before him, who were to be filled so full of facts. Go to

6. ‘Girl number twenty,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, squarely pointing with his square forefinger, ‘I don’t know that girl. Go to

gradgrind's /ˈɡrædɡraɪndz/ (57 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Gradgrind

Simple English: belonging to Mr. Gradgrind, a strict character in Hard Times.

Example: It bounced off Gradgrind's stomach and into the road.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The pale boy Bitzer ran around the corner so blindly and expected a clear pavement so completely that he crashed into Mr. Gradgrind’s stomach and bounced into the road. Go to

2. From the beginning, he had tried to win Gradgrind’s sympathy for the abandoned girl. Go to

3. “I am thinking about Tom Gradgrind's strange idea of raising the circus girl,” Bounderby replied. Go to

Original English Version

1. Why, Mr. Bounderby was as near being Mr. Gradgrind’s bosom friend, as a man perfectly devoid of sentiment can approach that spiritual relationship towards another man perfectly devoid of sentiment. Go to

2. In truth, Mrs. Gradgrind’s stock of facts in general was woefully defective; but Mr. Gradgrind in raising her to her high matrimonial position, had been influenced by two reasons. Go to

3. I should ask Mrs. Gradgrind’s pardon for strong expressions, but that she knows very well I am not a refined character. Go to

4. But Louisa saw her, I have no doubt, in Mrs. Gradgrind’s presence.’ Go to

5. The question was unexpectedly and suddenly answered for her, by the colourless boy, Bitzer, who came round the corner with such blind speed and so little anticipating a stoppage on the pavement, that he brought himself up against Mr. Gradgrind’s waistcoat and rebounded into the road. Go to

6. ‘Why, ma’am,’ he returned, ‘I am thinking about Tom Gradgrind’s whim;’ Tom Gradgrind, for a bluff independent manner of speaking - as if somebody were always endeavouring to bribe him with immense sums to say Thomas, and he wouldn’t; ‘Tom Gradgrind’s whim, ma’am, of bringing up the tumbling-girl.’ Go to

gradgrinds /ˈɡrædɡraɪndz/ (10 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: os Gradgrind

Simple English: the Gradgrind children, referred to as a group.

Example: There were five young Gradgrinds, and all were considered models.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. There were five young Gradgrinds, and all were considered models. Go to

2. Adam Smith and Malthus, two younger Gradgrinds, were away at a lecture under supervision. Go to

3. Could the people of Coketown be similar to the young Gradgrinds? Go to

Original English Version

1. He intended every child in it to be a model - just as the young Gradgrinds were all models. Go to

2. There were five young Gradgrinds, and they were models every one. Go to

3. The little Gradgrinds had cabinets in various departments of science too. Go to

4. They had a little conchological cabinet, and a little metallurgical cabinet, and a little mineralogical cabinet; and the specimens were all arranged and labelled, and the bits of stone and ore looked as though they might have been broken from the parent substances by those tremendously hard instruments their own names; and, to paraphrase the idle legend of Peter Piper, who had never found his way into their nursery, If the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped at more than this, what was it for good gracious goodness’ sake, that the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped it! Go to

5. Adam Smith and Malthus, two younger Gradgrinds, were out at lecture in custody; and little Jane, after manufacturing a good deal of moist pipe-clay on her face with slate-pencil and tears, had fallen asleep over vulgar fractions. Go to

6. Is it possible, I wonder, that there was any analogy between the case of the Coketown population and the case of the little Gradgrinds? Go to

grandly /ˈɡrændli/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: grandiosamente; com pompa

Simple English: In a rich or impressive way.

Example: The hall was grandly decorated for the feast.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Gradgrind,’ her husband said grandly, ‘I would have been just as surprised to find my children reading poetry.’ Go to

groaned /ɡroʊnd/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: gemeu

Simple English: Made a deep sound to show pain or displeasure.

Example: The old man groaned as he stood up.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I was so ill that I always moaned and groaned. Go to

grundy /ˈɡrʌndi/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Grundy

Simple English: the name of a proverbial figure, Mrs. Grundy, representing strict, narrow-minded social opinion.

Example: Grundy was mentioned as a figure people feared to offend.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Since he was not Mrs. Grundy, who was Mr. Bounderby? Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘What,’ he repeated presently, ‘would Mr. Bounderby say?’ All the way to Stone Lodge, as with grave indignation he led the two delinquents home, he repeated at intervals ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ - as if Mr. Bounderby had been Mrs. Grundy. Go to

2. NOT being Mrs. Grundy, who _was_ Mr. Bounderby? Go to

handkerchief /ˈhæŋkərtʃɪf/ (7 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: lenço

Simple English: A small square of cloth used for wiping the nose or face.

Example: He folded his handkerchief and put it back in his pocket.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He left, but she stayed in the same place, rubbing the cheek he had kissed with her handkerchief until it became bright red. Go to

2. Sleary removed his hat and rubbed its lining with the handkerchief he kept inside it. Go to

Original English Version

1. He went his way, but she stood on the same spot, rubbing the cheek he had kissed, with her handkerchief, until it was burning red. Go to

2. ‘Jupe sent his daughter out on an errand not an hour ago, and then was seen to slip out himself, with his hat over his eyes, and a bundle tied up in a handkerchief under his arm. Go to

3. ‘Well, Thquire,’ he returned, taking off his hat, and rubbing the lining with his pocket-handkerchief, which he kept inside for the purpose. Go to

harmed /hɑːrmd/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ferido; prejudicado

Simple English: Hurt or damaged.

Example: The birds saw that he was not harmed.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. But I have never harmed a horse beyond swearing at it, and at my age I will not begin treating a rider differently. Go to

harmful /ˈhɑːrmfəl/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: prejudicial; nocivos; danosas

Simple English: Causing damage or negative effects to others or the environment.

Example: Smoking is harmful to your health and can lead to severe diseases.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. You would not have said such a harmful lie if you were not a circus rider!’ Go to

harshly /ˈhɑːrʃli/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: asperamente; com dureza

Simple English: In an unkind, severe way.

Example: She spoke harshly to the little girl.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. But when you grow up and are comfortable, do not judge circus riders harshly. Go to

hearth /hɑːrθ/ (10 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: lareira; lar

Simple English: The floor of a fireplace, or the home itself.

Example: The cat slept in front of the warm hearth.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. ‘Stop a bit!’ cried Bounderby, who all this time had been standing, as before, on the hearth, bursting at the very furniture of the room with explosive humility. Go to

Holy /ˈhoʊli/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Santo; sagrado; Santa

Simple English: Sacred and respected within a religious context or belief system.

Example: The church is a holy place for many people to worship.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Eighteen religious groups had built chapels, but each looked like a holy red-brick warehouse, sometimes with a bell in a cage on top. Go to

hoof /hʊf/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: casco

Simple English: The hard foot of a horse or a cow.

Example: A hoof print showed in the wet clay.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Then he saw something almost unbelievable: his own Louisa was looking eagerly through a hole in a wooden board, while his son Thomas lay on the ground trying to see even one hoof of the graceful rider. Go to

Original English Version

1. Phenomenon almost incredible though distinctly seen, what did he then behold but his own metallurgical Louisa, peeping with all her might through a hole in a deal board, and his own mathematical Thomas abasing himself on the ground to catch but a hoof of the graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act! Go to

hooves /hʊvz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: cascos

Simple English: The hard parts of the feet of horses and cattle.

Example: We heard hooves on the stones.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It loses its coat in spring and sometimes its hooves in wet countries. Go to

2. Its hard hooves need iron shoes, and its age can be read from marks in its mouth.” This was Bitzer's factual answer. Go to

horseback /ˈhɔːrsbæk/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: lombo de cavalo; a cavalo

Simple English: The back of a horse, used mainly in the phrase on horseback.

Example: The guide crossed the river on horseback while we waited.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. All the men in Sleary’s company walked this way to suggest that they were always on horseback. Go to

Original English Version

1. This walk was common to all the male members of Sleary’s company, and was understood to express, that they were always on horseback. Go to

huntsman /ˈhʌntsmən/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: caçador

Simple English: A man who hunts, especially one who manages or participates in a formal hunt.

Example: The skilled huntsman followed the animal's tracks through the forest.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He was Mr. E. W. B. Childers, famous for a dangerous riding act as the Wild Huntsman. Go to

Original English Version

1. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Go to

hurried /ˈhɜːrid/ (21 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: correram; foram depressa

Simple English: Moved or went quickly.

Example: The mice hurried away through the grass.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Please come in while I find him.’ She gave them two chairs and hurried away. Go to

idleness /ˈaɪdəlnəs/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ociosidade; preguiça

Simple English: The state of doing nothing useful.

Example: Long idleness made him restless.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Idleness,’ Bounderby interrupted with a loud laugh. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘In the name of wonder, idleness, and folly!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, leading each away by a hand; ‘what do you do here?’ Go to

2. ‘Idleness,’ Mr. Bounderby put in with a loud laugh. Go to

imaginations /ɪˌmædʒɪˈneɪʃənz/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: imaginações

Simple English: The powers of the mind to form pictures and ideas.

Example: The story caught their imaginations at once.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He also seemed like a machine made to replace their young imaginations with something cold and mechanical. Go to

Original English Version

1. He seemed a galvanizing apparatus, too, charged with a grim mechanical substitute for the tender young imaginations that were to be stormed away. Go to

imaginative /ɪˈmædʒɪnətɪv/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: imaginativos; de imaginação

Simple English: Able to think of new and interesting ideas.

Example: She is an imaginative writer of stories.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. There’s no family pride about me, there’s no imaginative sentimental humbug about me. Go to

impatient /ɪmˈpeɪʃənt/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: impaciente; impacientes

Simple English: Easily annoyed by delay; eager for something to happen.

Example: He grew impatient waiting for the train to arrive on time.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It was so painful that no one spoke until the impatient Mr. Bounderby took control. Go to

impatiently /ɪmˈpeɪʃəntli/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: impacientemente

Simple English: In a way that shows you do not want to wait.

Example: He knocked impatiently on the closed door.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He frowned impatiently. Go to

Original English Version

1. He frowned impatiently. Go to

impress /ɪmˈprɛs/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: impressionar

Simple English: To cause admiration or respect in someone through action.

Example: Her performance was so good that it impressed everyone in the audience.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. These people cared so little for plain facts that Bounderby’s words did not impress them. Go to

impressed /ɪmˈprɛst/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: impressionado; impressionou

Simple English: Admiring or respecting someone for excellent achievements or qualities.

Example: I was impressed by his ability to solve complex problems so quickly and easily.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Mr. Gradgrind did not seem impressed by these apparently strong arguments. Go to

inconvenient /ˌɪnkənˈviːniənt/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: inconveniente

Simple English: Causing trouble, difficulty, or discomfort at an unsuitable time or place.

Example: Moving the dog would be inconvenient for the family.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I wish your father had not taken his dog, because it is inconvenient to remove the dog from our advertisements. Go to

industrial /ɪnˈdʌstriəl/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: industrial

Simple English: Related to large-scale production or manufacturing activities.

Example: The industrial factory produces thousands of cars each month.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Stone Lodge stood on open land a short distance from the large industrial town of Coketown. Go to

inflamed /ɪnˈfleɪmd/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: inflamado

Simple English: swollen, red, or painful because of irritation or injury

Example: Cold water kept the wound from becoming inflamed.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I was born with inflamed lungs and, I believe, with every other possible inflammation,’ Mr. Bounderby replied. Go to

injure /ˈɪndʒər/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: ferir; prejudicar

Simple English: to cause physical harm or damage to a person, animal, or thing

Example: The falling branches did not injure him.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. But when he filled each child with his boiling store of facts, would he completely kill the hidden robber called Imagination - or only injure and twist it? Go to

instructive /ɪnˈstrʌktɪv/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: instrutivo

Simple English: Giving useful knowledge or a good lesson.

Example: The visit was short but instructive.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I deserve no praise for enjoying your instructive stories, since everyone seems to share that feeling.” Go to

Original English Version

1. If I have acquired an interest in hearing of your instructive experiences, and can scarcely hear enough of them, I claim no merit for that, since I believe it is a general sentiment.’ Go to

intended /ɪnˈtɛndɪd/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: pretendido; destinado; intenção

Simple English: Planned, aimed for, or desired as a specific goal or purpose.

Example: The intended audience for the book was young adults seeking personal growth and knowledge.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It is something I never intended to develop and in which reason has no part.’ Go to

interposed /ˌɪntərˈpoʊzd/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: interveio; interrompeu

Simple English: Interrupted or placed oneself between people, actions, or statements.

Example: The instructor interposed before the argument grew worse.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. But the riding-master eye had observed the bottle of the nine oils in her bosom, and he now interposed with ‘Leave the bottle, my dear; ith large to carry; it will be of no uthe to you now. Go to

jars /dʒɑːrz/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: potes; jarros

Simple English: Round glass or clay containers with wide mouths.

Example: Two jars of honey stood on the shelf.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. In this first lesson, he examined the children one by one, like Morgiana checking the jars in _The Forty Thieves_. Go to

josephine /ˌdʒoʊzəˈfiːn/ (14 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Josefina

Simple English: the first name of an aunt character in the story

Example: "It was Aunt Josephine," said Diana.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. A flag announced “Sleary's Horse-riding.” Sleary collected the money, and posters promised Miss Josephine Sleary's elegant riding act. Go to

2. Sleary’s daughter Josephine was a pretty fair-haired girl of eighteen. Go to

3. Emma Gordon would be a mother to you, and Josephine a sister. Go to

Original English Version

1. Miss Josephine Sleary, as some very long and very narrow strips of printed bill announced, was then inaugurating the entertainments with her graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act. Go to

2. Here his daughter Josephine - a pretty fair-haired girl of eighteen, who had been tied on a horse at two years old, and had made a will at twelve, which she always carried about with her, expressive of her dying desire to be drawn to the grave by the two piebald ponies - cried, ‘Father, hush! she has come back!’ Then came Sissy Jupe, running into the room as she had run out of it. Go to

josephine's /ˌdʒoʊzəˈfiːnz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Josefina

Simple English: belonging to Aunt Josephine, referring to her grand house

Example: I've never been in Aunt Josephine's house before.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Sleary stood in the middle with the men around him, just as he stood in the circus ring during Josephine’s act. Go to

Original English Version

1. Mr. Sleary stood in the middle of the room, with the male members of the company about him, exactly as he would have stood in the centre of the ring during his daughter Josephine’s performance. Go to

josiah /dʒoʊˈsaɪə/ (52 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Josias

Simple English: the name of a fictional humorous character referred to in the story ('Josiah Allen's wife')

Example: As Josiah Allen's wife says, I shall be 'mejum.'

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I went from homeless boy to messenger, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, and finally Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Go to

2. Excited by this final claim, Josiah Bounderby stopped speaking. Go to

3. He described her youth as perfectly privileged, then boasted that she now managed the home of Josiah Bounderby for one hundred pounds a year. Go to

4. “Perhaps people enjoy hearing, in his rough way, what Josiah Bounderby has suffered,” he said. Go to

Original English Version

1. Vagabond, errand-boy, vagabond, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Go to

2. Josiah Bounderby of Coketown learnt his letters from the outsides of the shops, Mrs. Gradgrind, and was first able to tell the time upon a dial-plate, from studying the steeple clock of St. Giles’s Church, London, under the direction of a drunken cripple, who was a convicted thief, and an incorrigible vagrant. Go to

3. Tell Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, of your district schools and your model schools, and your training schools, and your whole kettle-of-fish of schools; and Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, tells you plainly, all right, all correct - he hadn’t such advantages - but let us have hard-headed, solid-fisted people - the education that made him won’t do for everybody, he knows well - such and such his education was, however, and you may force him to swallow boiling fat, but you shall never force him to suppress the facts of his life.’ Go to

4. Being heated when he arrived at this climax, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown stopped. Go to

5. I call a spade a spade; and I call the mother of Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, without any fear or any favour, what I should call her if she had been the mother of Dick Jones of Wapping. Go to

6. Why here she is at a hundred a year (I give her a hundred, which she is pleased to term handsome), keeping the house of Josiah Bounderby of Coketown!’ Go to

juggling /ˈdʒʌɡlɪŋ/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: fazendo malabarismo; malabarismo

Simple English: The act of repeatedly tossing and catching objects, or of handling several things skillfully.

Example: Joe stood there juggling flat-irons, shirts, and manuscripts.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The men performed difficult balancing, dancing, juggling, riding, and jumping acts. Go to

jupe /dʒuːp/ (76 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Jupe

Simple English: the surname of a circus performer's family in the story

Example: "Sissy Jupe, sir," number twenty answered.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “Sissy Jupe, sir,” number twenty answered. Go to

2. Cecilia Jupe, what does your father do?” Go to

3. (This question greatly frightened Sissy Jupe.) Go to

4. Only a few weak voices said yes, including Sissy Jupe. Go to

5. “Cecilia Jupe, you must do nothing of that kind,” Thomas Gradgrind repeated seriously. Go to

6. Signor Jupe would show his trained dog Merrylegs, perform amazing feats of strength, tell jokes, and finish with a funny play called _The Tailor's Journey to Brentford_. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘Sissy Jupe, sir,’ explained number twenty, blushing, standing up, and curtseying. Go to

2. Cecilia Jupe. Go to

3. (Sissy Jupe thrown into the greatest alarm by this demand.) Go to

4. Only a few feeble stragglers said Yes: among them Sissy Jupe. Go to

5. ‘You are not, Cecilia Jupe,’ Thomas Gradgrind solemnly repeated, ‘to do anything of that kind.’ Go to

6. He was an affectionate father, after his manner; but he would probably have described himself (if he had been put, like Sissy Jupe, upon a definition) as ‘an eminently practical’ father. Go to

jupe's /dʒuːps/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Jupe

Simple English: belonging to a circus performer named Jupe, referring to his stage cap

Example: The room held Signor Jupe's stage cap, decorated with peacock feathers.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The poor room held a bed and Signor Jupe’s stage cap, decorated with peacock feathers and a stiff pigtail. Go to

2. Gradgrind continued, ‘I came to tell Jupe’s father that she could no longer attend the school because we object to accepting children of circus people. Go to

justly /ˈdʒʌstli/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: justamente; com razão; com justiça

Simple English: In a fair way, or with good reason.

Example: She was justly proud of what her students had achieved.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Go to

kidderminster /ˈkɪdərmɪnstər/ (21 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Kidderminster

Simple English: a real town in England

Example: 'Kidderminster, stop that!' said Mr.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Kidderminster, stop that!’ said Mr. Childers. Go to

2. Kidderminster was Cupid’s real name. Go to

3. ‘Then why does he come here and insult us?’ cried Kidderminster angrily. Go to

4. ‘Kidderminster, stop!’ Mr. Childers said more loudly. Go to

5. ‘He tried the Garters four times last night and failed every time,’ said Kidderminster. Go to

6. Kidderminster answered without shame, ‘We would have arranged a young gentleman to meet you if we had known you were coming. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘Kidderminster, stow that!’ said Mr. Childers. (Master Kidderminster was Cupid’s mortal name.) Go to

2. ‘What does he come here cheeking us for, then?’ cried Master Kidderminster, showing a very irascible temperament. Go to

3. ‘Kidderminster,’ said Mr. Childers, raising his voice, ‘stow that! - Sir,’ to Mr. Gradgrind, ‘I was addressing myself to you. Go to

4. ‘Offered at the Garters four times last night, and never done ’em once,’ said Master Kidderminster. Go to

5. ‘We’d have had a young gentleman to meet you, if we had known you were coming,’ retorted Master Kidderminster, nothing abashed. Go to

6. Both Mr. Childers and Master Kidderminster walked in a curious manner; with their legs wider apart than the general run of men, and with a very knowing assumption of being stiff in the knees. Go to

knelt /nɛlt/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ajoelhou-se

Simple English: Went down so that the knees were on the ground.

Example: She knelt beside the little dog and held it.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She fell into the arms of Emma Gordon, a pregnant tight-rope performer, who knelt to comfort her and wept with her. Go to

Original English Version

1. And when she saw them all assembled, and saw their looks, and saw no father there, she broke into a most deplorable cry, and took refuge on the bosom of the most accomplished tight-rope lady (herself in the family-way), who knelt down on the floor to nurse her, and to weep over her. Go to

knuckles /ˈnʌkəlz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: nós dos dedos; juntas da mão

Simple English: The joints where the fingers bend, on the back of the hand.

Example: He rapped on the door with his knuckles.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Then he touched his freckled forehead with his knuckles and sat down. Go to

Original English Version

1. Bitzer, after rapidly blinking at Thomas Gradgrind with both eyes at once, and so catching the light upon his quivering ends of lashes that they looked like the antennæ of busy insects, put his knuckles to his freckled forehead, and sat down again. Go to

labourer /ˈleɪbərər/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: trabalhador braçal

Simple English: A person who does hard physical work.

Example: A labourer dug the ditch beside the road.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I went from homeless boy to messenger, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, and finally Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Go to

Original English Version

1. Vagabond, errand-boy, vagabond, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Go to

lady's /ˈleɪdiz/ (8 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: da senhora

Simple English: Belonging to a woman of high rank or good manners.

Example: The lady's gloves were left on the seat.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. Mrs. Sparsit was this lady’s name; and she was a prominent figure in attendance on Mr. Bounderby’s car, as it rolled along in triumph with the Bully of humility inside. Go to

2. In the measure that he would not allow his own youth to have been attended by a single favourable circumstance, he brightened Mrs. Sparsit’s juvenile career with every possible advantage, and showered waggon-loads of early roses all over that lady’s path. Go to

laziness /ˈleɪzinəs/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: preguiça

Simple English: The habit of not wanting to work.

Example: He lost the place through pure laziness.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “In the name of wonder, laziness, and foolishness,” said Mr. Gradgrind as he led them away by the hands, “what are you doing here?” Go to

leaned /liːnd/ (20 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: apoiou; encostou

Simple English: Rested part of the body against something for support.

Example: Dorothy leaned her chin upon her hand.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Louisa leaned tiredly against the window, looking out but seeing nothing. Go to

Original English Version

1. Louisa languidly leaned upon the window looking out, without looking at anything, while young Thomas stood sniffing revengefully at the fire. Go to

lively /ˈlaɪvli/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: animada; vívido; alegre

Simple English: Full of energy and excitement; animated in action.

Example: The lively music made everyone want to dance and celebrate.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The longer they did dull, repetitive work, the more they needed physical relief: cheerful relaxation, an honest dance to lively music, a recognized holiday, or some light entertainment untouched by M’Choakumchild. Go to

loan /loʊn/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: empréstimo; emprestar; crédito

Simple English: Borrowed money to be returned with interest.

Example: I took out a loan to buy a new car last month.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The Powlers had a long history, though they often lost their money through horses, gambling, loans, and debt. Go to

loo /luː/ (60 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Loo (nome próprio)

Simple English: The name of a unicorn who helps rule the forest of Oz.

Example: Loo danced about and cut capers on the grass.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘What are you doing, Loo?’ her brother complained. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘What are you about, Loo?’ her brother sulkily remonstrated. Go to

lord /lɔːrd/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: senhor; Lorde; Deus

Simple English: Man of high rank within the noble class.

Example: The lord held a feast to celebrate the harvest season.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “Princes and lords may rise or disappear; one breath can create them, as one breath created them.” Go to

2. I should speak to you only of rich dancers, fashionable London, lords, and ladies.” Go to

loudest /ˈlaʊdɪst/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: o mais alto; o mais forte

Simple English: Making more noise than all the others.

Example: His was the loudest voice in the room.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Nine oils, Merrylegs, failed acts, garters, banners, and tumbling!’ Bounderby cried with his loudest laugh. Go to

louisa /luˈiːzə/ (680 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Luísa

Simple English: a girl's first name, belonging to a character

Example: He goes to see Louisa Spencer at White Sands.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Then he saw something almost unbelievable: his own Louisa was looking eagerly through a hole in a wooden board, while his son Thomas lay on the ground trying to see even one hoof of the graceful rider. Go to

2. “Louisa! Go to

3. Louisa looked at her father more boldly than Thomas. Go to

4. “We wanted to see what it was like,” Louisa answered briefly. Go to

5. Both children looked tired and unhappy, especially Louisa. Go to

6. “I brought him, father,” Louisa quickly said. Go to

Original English Version

1. Phenomenon almost incredible though distinctly seen, what did he then behold but his own metallurgical Louisa, peeping with all her might through a hole in a deal board, and his own mathematical Thomas abasing himself on the ground to catch but a hoof of the graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act! Go to

2. ‘Louisa!! Go to

3. But, Louisa looked at her father with more boldness than Thomas did. Go to

4. ‘Wanted to see what it was like,’ returned Louisa, shortly. Go to

5. ‘I brought _him_, father,’ said Louisa, quickly. Go to

6. It makes Thomas no better, and it makes you worse, Louisa.’ Go to

louisa's /luˈiːzəz/ (43 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Luísa

Simple English: belonging to a character named Louisa (here an aunt)

Example: She had tea with us at Aunt Louisa's.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Yet today’s small and unexpected event suggests that something has entered Thomas’s and Louisa’s minds. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘And yet, Bounderby, it would appear from this unexpected circumstance of to-day, though in itself a trifling one, as if something had crept into Thomas’s and Louisa’s minds which is - or rather, which is not - I don’t know that I can express myself better than by saying - which has never been intended to be developed, and in which their reason has no part.’ Go to

lung /lʌŋ/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: pulmão

Simple English: Organ in chest responsible for breathing and oxygen exchange.

Example: Smoking can damage your lung health and reduce breathing capacity.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I was born with inflamed lungs and, I believe, with every other possible inflammation,’ Mr. Bounderby replied. Go to

luxuries /ˈlʌkʃəriz/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: luxos

Simple English: Things that are pleasant but not necessary.

Example: ['"The Government does not give lighthouse keepers such luxuries.', '"The Government don\'t give lighthouse keepers such luxuries.', 'In return, the town produced comforts used around the world and luxuries enjoyed by elegant ladies who could hardly bear to hear Coketown mentioned.', 'She knew she would have to give up many luxuries, and she had almost enjoyed the thought.', 'In Harley Street, these luxuries had often felt like burdens and limits to her freedom.', "They do not have the luxuries of life, and they lack almost even the things others think are necessary.'"]

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. In return, the town produced comforts used around the world and luxuries enjoyed by elegant ladies who could hardly bear to hear Coketown mentioned. Go to

m'choakumchild /məˈtʃoʊkəmtʃaɪld/ (32 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: M'Choakumchild

Simple English: an invented, satirical surname of a strict schoolteacher

Example: M'Choakumchild gives his first lesson.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “Now, if Mr. M'Choakumchild gives his first lesson, Mr. Gradgrind, I will be pleased to observe his method,” said the man. Go to

2. M'Choakumchild, we are waiting for you.” Go to

3. Mr. M'Choakumchild began in his best style. Go to

4. The M’Choakumchild school, the design school, and relations between employers and workers were all based on fact. Go to

5. The longer they did dull, repetitive work, the more they needed physical relief: cheerful relaxation, an honest dance to lively music, a recognized holiday, or some light entertainment untouched by M’Choakumchild. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘Now, if Mr. M’Choakumchild,’ said the gentleman, ‘will proceed to give his first lesson here, Mr. Gradgrind, I shall be happy, at your request, to observe his mode of procedure.’ Go to

2. M’Choakumchild, we only wait for you.’ Go to

3. So, Mr. M’Choakumchild began in his best manner. Go to

4. Ah, rather overdone, M’Choakumchild. Go to

5. Say, good M’Choakumchild. Go to

6. The M’Choakumchild school was all fact, and the school of design was all fact, and the relations between master and man were all fact, and everything was fact between the lying-in hospital and the cemetery, and what you couldn’t state in figures, or show to be purchaseable in the cheapest market and saleable in the dearest, was not, and never should be, world without end, Amen. Go to

malt /mɔːlt/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: malte

Simple English: Grain that has been germinated and dried, especially for brewing.

Example: The brewer stored the malt in a dry room.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Good malt makes good beer; come in and they will serve it here. Go to

Original English Version

1. No little Gradgrind had ever associated a cow in a field with that famous cow with the crumpled horn who tossed the dog who worried the cat who killed the rat who ate the malt, or with that yet more famous cow who swallowed Tom Thumb: it had never heard of those celebrities, and had only been introduced to a cow as a graminivorous ruminating quadruped with several stomachs. Go to

2. Good malt makes good beer, Walk in, and they’ll draw it here; Good wine makes good brandy, Give us a call, and you’ll find it handy. Go to

malthus /ˈmælθəs/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Malthus (economista)

Simple English: Thomas Malthus, a real economist known for his ideas about population growth.

Example: After mentioning Vehmgericht, aqua Tofana, Carbonari, the Marchioness de Brinvilliers, the Darwinian theory, the ideas of Malthus, and the Ratcliff Highway murders, the article ended by warning the Government.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Adam Smith and Malthus, two younger Gradgrinds, were away at a lecture under supervision. Go to

Original English Version

1. Adam Smith and Malthus, two younger Gradgrinds, were out at lecture in custody; and little Jane, after manufacturing a good deal of moist pipe-clay on her face with slate-pencil and tears, had fallen asleep over vulgar fractions. Go to

Master /ˈmæstər/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: mestre; dominar; patrão

Simple English: Highly skilled person in an art, often historically recognized.

Example: Vincent van Gogh is considered a master of post-impressionist painting.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Young people do not have circus masters, keep circuses in cabinets, or attend lectures about them. Go to

2. He opened his arms, took both her hands, and would normally have bounced her up and down as a riding master congratulates a performer. Go to

3. But the dog would not perform without his master, so it makes no difference.’ Go to

means /miːnz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: significa; meios; quer dizer

Simple English: A method, system, or object used to achieve a goal.

Example: Education is one of the means to achieve a successful career.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘So that is what the expression means?’ Go to

2. ‘That is generally what it means,’ Mr. Childers answered. Go to

merrylegs /ˈmɛrilɛgz/ (29 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Merrylegs

Simple English: the name of a trained circus dog in the story

Example: Signor Jupe would show his trained dog Merrylegs, perform amazing feats of strength, tell jokes, and finish with a funny play called _The Tailor's Journey to Brentford_.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Signor Jupe would show his trained dog Merrylegs, perform amazing feats of strength, tell jokes, and finish with a funny play called _The Tailor's Journey to Brentford_. Go to

2. If you hear a dog, it is only Merrylegs, and he only barks.’ Go to

3. ‘Merrylegs and nine oils, eh!’ said Mr. Bounderby, entering last with his metallic laugh. Go to

4. They expected Merrylegs to bark, but the trained dog remained silent until the girl returned. Go to

5. Nothing else showed any sign of him, his work, or even Merrylegs. Go to

6. ‘Nine oils, Merrylegs, failed acts, garters, banners, and tumbling!’ Bounderby cried with his loudest laugh. Go to

Original English Version

1. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Go to

2. If you should hear a dog, sir, it’s only Merrylegs, and he only barks.’ Go to

3. ‘Merrylegs and nine oils, eh!’ said Mr. Bounderby, entering last with his metallic laugh. Go to

4. They expected every moment to hear Merrylegs give tongue, but the highly trained performing dog had not barked when the girl and the candle appeared together. Go to

5. As to Merrylegs, that respectable ancestor of the highly trained animal who went aboard the ark, might have been accidentally shut out of it, for any sign of a dog that was manifest to eye or ear in the Pegasus’s Arms. Go to

6. ‘Nine oils, Merrylegs, missing tips, garters, banners, and Ponging, eh!’ ejaculated Bounderby, with his laugh of laughs. Go to

mineral /ˈmɪnərəl/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: mineral

Simple English: A solid naturally occurring substance with specific chemical composition.

Example: Quartz is a common mineral found in many types of rocks.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The Gradgrind children also owned small collections of shells, metals, and minerals. Go to

2. ‘With my head hurting as it does, why could you not look at the shells, minerals, and other things provided for you instead of circuses?’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. Go to

minute's /ˈmɪnɪts/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de um minuto

Simple English: belonging to a minute, a short unit of time

Example: I won't know a minute's peace of mind until I know what happened.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. ‘When father comes back,’ cried the girl, bursting into tears again after a minute’s silence, ‘how will he ever find me if I go away!’ Go to

mixed /mɪkst/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: misto; misturado; mixado

Simple English: Consisting of different types combined together.

Example: The salad was a mixed variety, containing both leafy greens and colorful vegetables.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. His clothes and smell mixed the stable with the theatre. Go to

moaned /moʊnd/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: gemeu; lamentou-se

Simple English: Made a long low crying sound.

Example: The wind moaned around the empty house.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I was so ill that I always moaned and groaned. Go to

monotonous /məˈnɒtənəs/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: monótono

Simple English: Repetitive and without change or interest.

Example: The rain made a monotonous sound.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. The scene was a plain, bare, monotonous vault of a school-room, and the speaker’s square forefinger emphasized his observations by underscoring every sentence with a line on the schoolmaster’s sleeve. Go to

morgiana /mɔːrdʒiˈɑːnə/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Morgiana

Simple English: a clever female character from 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,' referenced here as a comparison

Example: He examined the children one by one, like Morgiana checking the jars in The Forty Thieves.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. In this first lesson, he examined the children one by one, like Morgiana checking the jars in _The Forty Thieves_. Go to

Original English Version

1. He went to work in this preparatory lesson, not unlike Morgiana in the Forty Thieves: looking into all the vessels ranged before him, one after another, to see what they contained. Go to

morrow /ˈmɒrəʊ/ (16 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: amanhã

Simple English: The following day, in literary or old-fashioned use.

Example: They planned to leave on the morrow.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. It contained several large streets all very like one another, and many small streets still more like one another, inhabited by people equally like one another, who all went in and out at the same hours, with the same sound upon the same pavements, to do the same work, and to whom every day was the same as yesterday and to-morrow, and every year the counterpart of the last and the next. Go to

2. I asked her if she would know how to define a horse to-morrow, and offered to tell her again, and she ran away, and I ran after her, sir, that she might know how to answer when she was asked. Go to

multiplication /ˌmʌltɪplɪˈkeɪʃən/ (7 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: multiplicação

Simple English: The way of finding a number by adding it many times.

Example: He learned the multiplication table by heart.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. With rules, scales, and multiplication tables, he felt ready to measure any part of human nature. Go to

2. ‘Everyone in town knows it, just as they know that circus riders do not know the multiplication table.’ Bitzer looked to Mr. Bounderby for approval. Go to

Original English Version

1. With a rule and a pair of scales, and the multiplication table always in his pocket, sir, ready to weigh and measure any parcel of human nature, and tell you exactly what it comes to. Go to

2. ‘It’s as well known in the town as - please, sir, as the multiplication table isn’t known to the horse-riders.’ Bitzer tried Mr. Bounderby with this. Go to

muttered /ˈmʌtərd/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: resmungou; murmurou

Simple English: Said something in a low voice that was hard to hear.

Example: He muttered a few words and walked away.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘We were watching the circus secretly,’ Louisa muttered proudly without raising her eyes, ‘and father caught us.’ Go to

2. The men muttered, ‘Shame!’ and the women said, ‘Brute!’ Sleary quickly gave Bounderby some private advice. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘We were peeping at the circus,’ muttered Louisa, haughtily, without lifting up her eyes, ‘and father caught us.’ Go to

2. The men muttered ‘Shame!’ and the women ‘Brute!’ and Sleary, in some haste, communicated the following hint, apart to Mr. Bounderby. Go to

nearer /ˈnɪrər/ (14 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: mais perto; mais próximo

Simple English: Closer in distance.

Example: The land grows beautiful as one comes nearer the city.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. ‘If you had said I was another father to Tom - young Tom, I mean, not my friend Tom Gradgrind - you might have been nearer the mark. Go to

neatly /ˈniːtli/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: com capricho; cuidadosamente

Simple English: In a careful, tidy way.

Example: He soldered the tin neatly back in place.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. He would go in and damage any subject whatever with his right, follow up with his left, stop, exchange, counter, bore his opponent (he always fought All England) to the ropes, and fall upon him neatly. Go to

neckcloth /ˈnekklɒθ/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: lenço de pescoço

Simple English: a cloth worn around the neck

Example: He tied a white neckcloth under his chin.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. His square coat, legs, shoulders, and tight neckcloth also seemed to express his stubborn belief in hard facts. Go to

Original English Version

1. The speaker’s obstinate carriage, square coat, square legs, square shoulders, - nay, his very neckcloth, trained to take him by the throat with an unaccommodating grasp, like a stubborn fact, as it was, - all helped the emphasis. Go to

nervously /ˈnɜːrvəsli/ (10 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: nervosamente; receosamente

Simple English: In a worried or frightened way.

Example: The mice looked at her nervously.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She curtsied to Bounderby, Gradgrind, and Louisa, but nervously forgot Mrs. Sparsit. Go to

Glossary: New Words (2/2)

nodded /ˈnɑːdɪd/ (14 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: acenou com a cabeça

Simple English: Moved the head up and down to say yes or to greet someone.

Example: The figure nodded kindly at her.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. What people call Taste is only another name for Fact.” Thomas Gradgrind nodded. Go to

2. The end of Sleary’s speech was directed at Mr. Gradgrind, who seriously nodded and then spoke. Go to

Original English Version

1. What is called Taste, is only another name for Fact.’ Thomas Gradgrind nodded his approbation. Go to

nodding /ˈnɑːdɪŋ/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: acenando com a cabeça

Simple English: Moving the head down and up to show yes.

Example: He kept nodding while she talked.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Yes,’ said Mr. Childers, nodding. Go to

noisily /ˈnɔɪzɪli/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ruidosamente; com estardalhaço

Simple English: In a way that makes a lot of noise.

Example: He drank his soup noisily and asked for more.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. A slow, heavy boy who breathed noisily suggested that he would paint the room instead of using wallpaper. Go to

obedient /oʊˈbiːdiənt/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: obediente; submisso

Simple English: Doing what you are told to do by someone in authority.

Example: The dog is obedient with everyone except the postman.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. My latht wordth to you ith thith, Thtick to the termth of your engagement, be obedient to the Thquire, and forget uth. Go to

obey /oʊˈbeɪ/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: obedecer; obedecei; cumpra

Simple English: To follow rules, commands, orders given by authority.

Example: Children must learn to obey their parents and teachers at school.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “Obey your agreement and the gentleman, and forget us. Go to

offend /əˈfɛnd/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ofender

Simple English: To cause someone to feel disrespected or upset.

Example: His comment might offend people who take the issue seriously.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It was too dark outside to see the sign and not light enough inside to see the picture, so the fanciful images did not offend Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby. Go to

opening /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: abertura; abrir; inauguração

Simple English: First public presentation of a play, movie, or entertainment.

Example: The opening of the new play was attended by many celebrities.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. They heard Sissy opening and closing doors upstairs as she searched, then heard surprised voices. Go to

opium /ˈoʊpiəm/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ópio

Simple English: A strong drug made from a kind of flower.

Example: Opium was sold openly in the old port.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Chemists showed that when they did not drink, they took opium. Go to

Original English Version

1. Then came the chemist and druggist, with other tabular statements, showing that when they didn’t get drunk, they took opium. Go to

orderly /ˈɔːrdərli/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ordenada; bem arrumada

Simple English: Neat and well arranged.

Example: The books stood in orderly rows.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. They all assumed to be mighty rakish and knowing, they were not very tidy in their private dresses, they were not at all orderly in their domestic arrangements, and the combined literature of the whole company would have produced but a poor letter on any subject. Go to

origin (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: origem; fonte; raiz

Simple English: the place or cause where something begins

Example: The origin of the word is Latin.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He lowered his own origins and praised hers. Go to

overheard /ˌɑʊvərhɪrd/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: fazer hear em excesso

Simple English: to do, have, or cause hear more than is suitable or necessary

Example: While thus engaged, he overheard such phrases in Mr.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. While thus engaged, he overheard such phrases in Mr. Bounderby’s voice as ‘No. _I_ say no. Go to

owner's /ˈoʊnərz/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: do dono; do proprietário

Simple English: Belonging to the person who owns something.

Example: He was treated like the owner's son.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It was a large square house with a heavy entrance that darkened the main windows, just as its owner's brows shaded his eyes. Go to

paler /ˈpeɪlər/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: mais pálido; mais claro

Simple English: Lighter in colour, or with less colour in the face.

Example: She looked paler than she had the week before.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. His cold eyes would hardly have been eyes, but for the short ends of lashes which, by bringing them into immediate contrast with something paler than themselves, expressed their form. Go to

parted /ˈpɑːrtɪd/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: nos separamos

Simple English: Went away from each other.

Example: We parted at the gate and never met again.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. His face, close-shaven, thin, and sallow, was shaded by a great quantity of dark hair, brushed into a roll all round his head, and parted up the centre. Go to

patiently /ˈpeɪʃəntli/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: pacientemente; com paciência

Simple English: In a calm way, without complaining while waiting.

Example: He waited patiently until morning came.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “I hope that is unnecessary,” Mrs. Sparsit replied patiently. Go to

paused /pɔːzd/ (9 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: fez uma pausa

Simple English: stopped briefly before continuing

Example: He paused for a moment.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. ‘You can take one, Mr. Bounderby,’ returned Louisa, when she had coldly paused, and slowly walked across the room, and ungraciously raised her cheek towards him, with her face turned away. Go to

pavements /ˈpeɪvmənts/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: calçadas

Simple English: hard surfaces for walking beside a road

Example: Creatures came from Whitechapel’s pavements.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Similar-looking people left and returned at the same times, made the same sounds on the same pavements, and did the same work. Go to

Original English Version

1. It contained several large streets all very like one another, and many small streets still more like one another, inhabited by people equally like one another, who all went in and out at the same hours, with the same sound upon the same pavements, to do the same work, and to whom every day was the same as yesterday and to-morrow, and every year the counterpart of the last and the next. Go to

peacock /ˈpiːkɑːk/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: pavão

Simple English: A large bird with a long bright blue and green tail.

Example: A peacock walked across the lawn.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The poor room held a bed and Signor Jupe’s stage cap, decorated with peacock feathers and a stiff pigtail. Go to

pegasus /ˈpɛɡəsəs/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Pégaso

Simple English: the winged horse of Greek mythology, used here to mean poetic fame or recognition

Example: She refused to let him sit beside her on Pegasus.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Behind the small, dirty bar hung another framed Pegasus, made for the theatre. Go to

Original English Version

1. Framed and glazed upon the wall behind the dingy little bar, was another Pegasus - a theatrical one - with real gauze let in for his wings, golden stars stuck on all over him, and his ethereal harness made of red silk. Go to

pegasus's /ˈpɛɡəsəsɪz/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Pégaso

Simple English: the possessive form used in the name of a pub, 'the Pegasus's Arms'

Example: The public house was called the Pegasus's Arms.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The public house was called the Pegasus’s Arms. Go to

Original English Version

1. THE name of the public-house was the Pegasus’s Arms. Go to

2. The Pegasus’s legs might have been more to the purpose; but, underneath the winged horse upon the sign-board, the Pegasus’s Arms was inscribed in Roman letters. Go to

3. As to Merrylegs, that respectable ancestor of the highly trained animal who went aboard the ark, might have been accidentally shut out of it, for any sign of a dog that was manifest to eye or ear in the Pegasus’s Arms. Go to

pervading /pərˈveɪdɪŋ/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: penetrante

Simple English: spreading through every part of a place or thing

Example: A man with a pervading appearance on him of being inflated like a balloon, and ready to start.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. A man with a pervading appearance on him of being inflated like a balloon, and ready to start. Go to

philosophy /fɪˈlɑːsəfi/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: filosofia

Simple English: The study of fundamental questions about existence and knowledge systematically.

Example: Philosophy encourages people to reflect on their beliefs and understanding of life.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. That is my philosophy.” Go to

2. Sleary continued explaining his philosophy as they went downstairs. Go to

pigsty /ˈpɪgˌstaɪ/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: chiqueiro

Simple English: Here, pigsty is used as a noun; in this context it means chiqueiro.

Example: I spent the day in a ditch and the night in a pigsty.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I spent the day in a ditch and the night in a pigsty. Go to

Original English Version

1. I passed the day in a ditch, and the night in a pigsty. Go to

pigtail /ˈpɪɡtɛɪl/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: trança

Simple English: Here, pigtail is used as a noun; in this context it means trança.

Example: He looked carefully behind it first, as if he half expected to see Marley's pigtail sticking out into the hall.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The poor room held a bed and Signor Jupe’s stage cap, decorated with peacock feathers and a stiff pigtail. Go to

Original English Version

1. The white night-cap, embellished with two peacock’s feathers and a pigtail bolt upright, in which Signor Jupe had that very afternoon enlivened the varied performances with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts, hung upon a nail; but no other portion of his wardrobe, or other token of himself or his pursuits, was to be seen anywhere. Go to

pistons /ˈpɪstən/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: pistões

Simple English: engine parts that move back and forth in cylinders

Example: His legs moved like pistons as he ran.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Inside them, machines rattled and shook all day, while steam-engine pistons moved steadily up and down like the head of a sad, mad elephant. Go to

plainly /ˈpleɪnli/ (16 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: claramente

Simple English: in a clear and easy-to-understand way

Example: She spoke plainly about the danger.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I speak plainly. Go to

2. Sleary said, ‘I will speak plainly, sir. Go to

Original English Version

1. Tell Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, of your district schools and your model schools, and your training schools, and your whole kettle-of-fish of schools; and Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, tells you plainly, all right, all correct - he hadn’t such advantages - but let us have hard-headed, solid-fisted people - the education that made him won’t do for everybody, he knows well - such and such his education was, however, and you may force him to swallow boiling fat, but you shall never force him to suppress the facts of his life.’ Go to

2. His eminently practical friend, on seeing him, stopped also, and gave Louisa a reproachful look that plainly said, ‘Behold your Bounderby!’ Go to

3. The whole company perceived the force of the change, and drew a long breath together, that plainly said, ‘she will go!’ Go to

plastered /ˈplæstərd/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: rebocado; coberto de gesso

Simple English: Covered with a smooth layer of plaster.

Example: The walls were newly plastered and white.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The only exception was the New Church, a plastered building with a square tower and four short, decorated points like wooden legs. Go to

pod's /pɒdz/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Pod

Simple English: part of the name 'Pod's End', a place mentioned in the story

Example: ‘This man lives at Pod’s End, and I do not know that area well,’ said Mr.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘This man lives at Pod’s End, and I do not know that area well,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. Go to

2. As they entered a narrow road, he tried to sound reassuring and said, ‘So this is Pod’s End, is it, Jupe?’ Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘This man lives at Pod’s End, and I don’t quite know Pod’s End,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. Go to

2. He said, in what he meant for a reassuring tone, as they turned down a narrow road, ‘And this is Pod’s End; is it, Jupe?’ Go to

politely /pəˈlaɪtli/ (8 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: educadamente; com cortesia

Simple English: In a way that shows good manners.

Example: I am quite well, thank you, she replied politely.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Childers politely went to the landing and waited, rubbing his face and softly whistling. Go to

Original English Version

1. Upon this, Mr. Childers politely betook himself, with his equestrian walk, to the landing outside the door, and there stood stroking his face, and softly whistling. Go to

ponies /ˈpoʊniz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: pôneis; cavalinhos

Simple English: Small horses.

Example: Two ponies were tied to the fence.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She had performed on a horse since she was two and carried a will asking that two coloured ponies pull her funeral carriage. Go to

Original English Version

1. Here his daughter Josephine - a pretty fair-haired girl of eighteen, who had been tied on a horse at two years old, and had made a will at twelve, which she always carried about with her, expressive of her dying desire to be drawn to the grave by the two piebald ponies - cried, ‘Father, hush! she has come back!’ Then came Sissy Jupe, running into the room as she had run out of it. Go to

possess /pəˈzɛs/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: possuem

Simple English: To have something as one's own.

Example: He can possess any car he wants with his wealth.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Could they possess an imagination that needed healthy expression instead of suffering? Go to

powler /ˈpaʊlər/ (16 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Powler

Simple English: the surname of an old family mentioned in the story

Example: Her dead husband belonged through his mother to the ancient Powler family.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Her great-aunt was Lady Scadgers, and her dead husband belonged through his mother to the ancient Powler family. Go to

Original English Version

1. Mr. Sparsit, deceased, of whom she was the relict, had been by the mother’s side what Mrs. Sparsit still called ‘a Powler.’ Strangers of limited information and dull apprehension were sometimes observed not to know what a Powler was, and even to appear uncertain whether it might be a business, or a political party, or a profession of faith. Go to

2. The late Mr. Sparsit, being by the mother’s side a Powler, married this lady, being by the father’s side a Scadgers. Go to

powlers /ˈpaʊlərz/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: os Powler

Simple English: the family name of an old family who often lost money through gambling and debt

Example: The Powlers had a long history, though they often lost their money.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The Powlers had a long history, though they often lost their money through horses, gambling, loans, and debt. Go to

Original English Version

1. The better class of minds, however, did not need to be informed that the Powlers were an ancient stock, who could trace themselves so exceedingly far back that it was not surprising if they sometimes lost themselves - which they had rather frequently done, as respected horse-flesh, blind-hookey, Hebrew monetary transactions, and the Insolvent Debtors’ Court. Go to

precaution /prɪˈkɔʃən/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: precaução

Simple English: an action taken to prevent danger or trouble

Example: They took a precaution before leaving.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Despite every precaution, could some useless storybook have entered the house? Go to

pregnant /ˈprɛɡnənt/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: grávida; engravidar; gestantes

Simple English: Carrying a developing baby inside a woman's body.

Example: She was excited to share that she is pregnant with her first child.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She fell into the arms of Emma Gordon, a pregnant tight-rope performer, who knelt to comfort her and wept with her. Go to

produce /prəˈdjuːs/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: produzir; produto; gerar

Simple English: To provide money and oversee the creation of a movie, play, or show.

Example: They want to produce a documentary about climate change this year.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. In return, the town produced comforts used around the world and luxuries enjoyed by elegant ladies who could hardly bear to hear Coketown mentioned. Go to

professional /prəˈfɛʃənəl/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: profissional

Simple English: Doing an activity as a job rather than just for pleasure.

Example: He is a professional chef with many years of experience.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “There she is, sir,” Sleary said, looking her over professionally. Go to

protection /prəˈtɛkʃən/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: proteção; defesa

Simple English: The act of keeping people or things safe from harm.

Example: Wearing a helmet is essential for your protection while cycling.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It had excellent gas, air, drains, water, fire protection, and mechanical lifts - everything a practical heart could want. Go to

2. I am going to take him into my office and keep him under my protection.” Go to

pure /pjʊər/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: puro; pura; puros

Simple English: Not combined or mixed with anything else; clean or unmixed.

Example: She prefers pure water without any additives or flavors in it.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Coketown did not emerge from its furnaces as pure as gold. Go to

rags /ræɡz/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: trapos; farrapos

Simple English: Old torn pieces of cloth, or very worn clothes.

Example: He wiped his hands on a bundle of oily rags.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I was so dirty and dressed in such rags that you would not have touched me even with tongs.’ Go to

rattled /ˈrætəld/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: sacudiu; fez chocalhar

Simple English: Made a series of short hard sounds; also made someone nervous.

Example: The windows rattled every time a lorry went by.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Inside them, machines rattled and shook all day, while steam-engine pistons moved steadily up and down like the head of a sad, mad elephant. Go to

reassuring /ˌriːəˈʃʊrɪŋ/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: tranquilizador; que dá confiança

Simple English: Making you feel less worried.

Example: A reassuring note was waiting on the table.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. As they entered a narrow road, he tried to sound reassuring and said, ‘So this is Pod’s End, is it, Jupe?’ Go to

Original English Version

1. He said, in what he meant for a reassuring tone, as they turned down a narrow road, ‘And this is Pod’s End; is it, Jupe?’ Go to

recall /rɪˈkɔːl/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: recordar; lembrar; recordação

Simple English: To bring back something from memory.

Example: I can't recall where I put my keys this morning.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. In short, their situation recalled an old children’s verse: Go to

refinement /rɪˈfaɪnmənt/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: refinamento; requinte

Simple English: Good manners, taste and education.

Example: He spoke with the refinement of a well-read man.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Anyone who expects refinement from me will be disappointed. Go to

Original English Version

1. Whoever expects refinement in _me_ will be disappointed. Go to

respectfully rɪˈspɛktfəl (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: respeitoso

Simple English: Showing politeness and regard.

Example: And as for going as cook, - though I confess there is considerable glory in that, a cook being a sort of officer on ship-board - yet, somehow, I never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more respectfully, not to say reverentially, of a broiled fowl than I will.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He stepped backwards, touched his forehead respectfully, and said it had been an accident. Go to

2. The boy stopped blinking quickly, touched his forehead respectfully again, looked at Sissy, turned around, and went away. Go to

retorted ritɔrtɪd (12 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: replicar

Simple English: Here, the verb form refers to answer sharply to a remark.

Example: "I'll pack a valise and go on the afternoon train," retorted Miss Rosetta triumphantly.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. ‘I have not,’ retorted Mr. Childers, after surveying him from head to foot, ‘the honour of knowing _you_, - but if you mean that you can make more money of your time than I can of mine, I should judge from your appearance, that you are about right.’ Go to

2. ‘Lower yourself, then,’ retorted Cupid. Go to

3. ‘We’d have had a young gentleman to meet you, if we had known you were coming,’ retorted Master Kidderminster, nothing abashed. Go to

4. ‘It’s all the same to me what he is or what he is not, whether in English or whether in French,’ retorted Mr. E. W. B. Childers, facing about. Go to

robber /ˈrɑːbər/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ladrão; salteador

Simple English: A person who steals, especially using force or threats.

Example: The robber was recognised by his voice.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. But when he filled each child with his boiling store of facts, would he completely kill the hidden robber called Imagination - or only injure and twist it? Go to

Original English Version

1. When from thy boiling store, thou shalt fill each jar brim full by-and-by, dost thou think that thou wilt always kill outright the robber Fancy lurking within - or sometimes only maim him and distort him! Go to

sawdust /ˈsɔːdʌst/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: serragem

Simple English: The fine powder made when wood is cut with a saw.

Example: The heart was made of silk and stuffed with sawdust.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. He was dressed in a Newmarket coat and tight-fitting trousers; wore a shawl round his neck; smelt of lamp-oil, straw, orange-peel, horses’ provender, and sawdust; and looked a most remarkable sort of Centaur, compounded of the stable and the play-house. Go to

scadgers /ˈskædʒərz/ (13 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Scadgers

Simple English: Surname of Lady Scadgers, a character's great-aunt.

Example: Her great-aunt was Lady Scadgers.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Her great-aunt was Lady Scadgers, and her dead husband belonged through his mother to the ancient Powler family. Go to

2. Lady Scadgers arranged the marriage between young Mr. Sparsit and her older relative. Go to

3. After arguing with Lady Scadgers, the widow took paid work. Go to

Original English Version

1. She had a great aunt living in these very times called Lady Scadgers. Go to

2. The late Mr. Sparsit, being by the mother’s side a Powler, married this lady, being by the father’s side a Scadgers. Go to

3. Lady Scadgers (an immensely fat old woman, with an inordinate appetite for butcher’s meat, and a mysterious leg which had now refused to get out of bed for fourteen years) contrived the marriage, at a period when Sparsit was just of age, and chiefly noticeable for a slender body, weakly supported on two long slim props, and surmounted by no head worth mentioning. Go to

4. That bereaved lady, fifteen years older than he, fell presently at deadly feud with her only relative, Lady Scadgers; and, partly to spite her ladyship, and partly to maintain herself, went out at a salary. Go to

Scale /skeɪl/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: escala; balança; escalar

Simple English: A measurement of size or degree compared with another item.

Example: The scale of this project is much larger than I expected it to be.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. With rules, scales, and multiplication tables, he felt ready to measure any part of human nature. Go to

schoolmaster /ˈskuːlmæstər/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: mestre-escola; professor

Simple English: A man who teaches in a school.

Example: The schoolmaster rang the bell at eight.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Boy, if I hear that you have been running like this again, I will speak to the schoolmaster about you. Go to

Original English Version

1. The speaker, and the schoolmaster, and the third grown person present, all backed a little, and swept with their eyes the inclined plane of little vessels then and there arranged in order, ready to have imperial gallons of facts poured into them until they were full to the brim. Go to

schoolroom /skˈulrˌum/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: sala de aula

Simple English: a room used for teaching

Example: They can’t go any faster than the ruck of their scholars, and I can set a faster pace for myself than they set for a whole schoolroom.”

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The schoolroom was plain, bare, and dull. Go to

sentence /ˈsɛntəns/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: sentença; frase; sentencio

Simple English: A group of words expressing an idea.

Example: Write a complete sentence.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The speaker stressed every sentence with his square finger. Go to

shabby /ˈʃæbi/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: surrado; maltrapilho; mesquinho

Simple English: Old and worn out; also unfair or mean in behaviour.

Example: He wore the same shabby coat every winter.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It looked exhausted and shabby, as if the lack of customers had made the building itself begin to drink, follow the path of every drunkard, and approach its end. Go to

Original English Version

1. As haggard and as shabby, as if, for want of custom, it had itself taken to drinking, and had gone the way all drunkards go, and was very near the end of it. Go to

shaded /ˈʃeɪdɪd/ (8 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: sombreado; à sombra

Simple English: Covered so that the sun does not reach it.

Example: We ate lunch in a shaded corner.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. It was a large square house with a heavy entrance that darkened the main windows, just as its owner's brows shaded his eyes. Go to

Original English Version

1. Not the least disguise toned down or shaded off that uncompromising fact in the landscape. Go to

2. His face, close-shaven, thin, and sallow, was shaded by a great quantity of dark hair, brushed into a roll all round his head, and parted up the centre. Go to

shawl /ʃɔːl/ (28 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: xale

Simple English: A large piece of cloth worn over the shoulders or head.

Example: She wrapped a warm shawl around herself.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. He was dressed in a Newmarket coat and tight-fitting trousers; wore a shawl round his neck; smelt of lamp-oil, straw, orange-peel, horses’ provender, and sawdust; and looked a most remarkable sort of Centaur, compounded of the stable and the play-house. Go to

shawls ʃˈɔlz (10 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: xales

Simple English: large pieces of cloth worn over the shoulders

Example: "Can you imagine them traveling the world, especially in those shawls and caps?"

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Mrs. Gradgrind was a small, thin, pale woman with pink eyes, wrapped in shawls. Go to

Original English Version

1. Mrs. Gradgrind, a little, thin, white, pink-eyed bundle of shawls, of surpassing feebleness, mental and bodily; who was always taking physic without any effect, and who, whenever she showed a symptom of coming to life, was invariably stunned by some weighty piece of fact tumbling on her; Mrs. Gradgrind hoped it was a dry ditch? Go to

sherry /ˈʃɛri/ (9 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: xerez

Simple English: A strong wine from the south of Spain.

Example: They offered him a small glass of sherry.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Shall it be sherry? Go to

shone /ʃoʊn/ (18 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: brilhavam; reluziam

Simple English: Gave out or reflected light.

Example: The little stars shone in the sun like diamonds.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. As his eyes shone at the pupils, he seemed like a cannon full of facts, ready to blast childhood out of them. Go to

2. Yet a restless light shone through her dissatisfaction. Go to

Original English Version

1. But, whereas the girl was so dark-eyed and dark-haired, that she seemed to receive a deeper and more lustrous colour from the sun, when it shone upon her, the boy was so light-eyed and light-haired that the self-same rays appeared to draw out of him what little colour he ever possessed. Go to

2. He stood before the fire, partly because it was a cool spring afternoon, though the sun shone; partly because the shade of Stone Lodge was always haunted by the ghost of damp mortar; partly because he thus took up a commanding position, from which to subdue Mrs. Gradgrind. Go to

signor siːnˈjɔːr (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: senhor

Simple English: an Italian form of address for a man

Example: Signor Jupe would show his trained dog Merrylegs, perform amazing feats of strength, tell jokes, and finish with a funny play called _The Tailor's Journey to Brentford_.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Signor Jupe would show his trained dog Merrylegs, perform amazing feats of strength, tell jokes, and finish with a funny play called _The Tailor's Journey to Brentford_. Go to

2. The poor room held a bed and Signor Jupe’s stage cap, decorated with peacock feathers and a stiff pigtail. Go to

Original English Version

1. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Go to

2. The white night-cap, embellished with two peacock’s feathers and a pigtail bolt upright, in which Signor Jupe had that very afternoon enlivened the varied performances with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts, hung upon a nail; but no other portion of his wardrobe, or other token of himself or his pursuits, was to be seen anywhere. Go to

silenced /ˈsaɪlənst/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: calou; fez calar

Simple English: Made someone stop speaking.

Example: One look from the teacher silenced the class.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. This gentle warning silenced Mr. Bounderby and gave Mr. Gradgrind a chance to present his practical view of the matter. Go to

silk /sɪlk/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: seda; sedas

Simple English: Smooth soft fabric made from silkworm threads.

Example: Her silk blouse had a luxurious feel and a beautiful shine under the light.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. His wings were real gauze, golden stars covered his body, and his fine harness was red silk. Go to

sissy /ˈsɪsi/ (310 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: maricas

Simple English: An insulting word for a weak or timid person.

Example: It’s all right enough for sissy-boys.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “Sissy Jupe, sir,” number twenty answered. Go to

2. “Sissy is not a proper name,” said Mr. Gradgrind. Go to

3. “Don't call yourself Sissy. Go to

4. “My father calls me Sissy, sir,” the girl replied in a trembling voice, making another curtsy. Go to

5. (This question greatly frightened Sissy Jupe.) Go to

6. Sissy and Bitzer sat on opposite sides of a ray of sunlight. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘Sissy Jupe, sir,’ explained number twenty, blushing, standing up, and curtseying. Go to

2. ‘Sissy is not a name,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. Go to

3. ‘Don’t call yourself Sissy. Go to

4. ‘It’s father as calls me Sissy, sir,’ returned the young girl in a trembling voice, and with another curtsey. Go to

5. (Sissy Jupe thrown into the greatest alarm by this demand.) Go to

6. The square finger, moving here and there, lighted suddenly on Bitzer, perhaps because he chanced to sit in the same ray of sunlight which, darting in at one of the bare windows of the intensely white-washed room, irradiated Sissy. Go to

sissy's /ˈsɪsi/ (28 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: maricas

Simple English: An insulting word for a weak or timid person.

Example: Sparsit_ 33 CHAPTER VIII _Never Wonder_ 38 CHAPTER IX _Sissy’s Progress_ 43 CHAPTER X _Stephen Blackpool_ 49 CHAPTER XI _No Way Out_ 53 CHAPTER XII _The Old Woman_ 59 CHAPTER XIII _Rachael_ 63 CHAPTER XIV _The Great Manufacturer_ 69 CHAPTER XV _Father and Daughter_ 73 CHAPTER XVI _Husband and Wife_ 79 _BOOK THE SECOND_. _REAPING_ CHAPTER I _Effects in the Bank_ 84 CHAPTER II _Mr.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The sun made Sissy's dark eyes and hair look richer, but it seemed to remove the little color Bitzer had. Go to

2. When the basket was packed, the women brought Sissy’s bonnet, smoothed her messy hair, and put it on her. Go to

sleary /ˈslɪəri/ (123 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Sleary

Simple English: the owner of a traveling horse-riding show in the story

Example: A flag announced "Sleary's Horse-riding."

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. A flag announced “Sleary's Horse-riding.” Sleary collected the money, and posters promised Miss Josephine Sleary's elegant riding act. Go to

2. Mr. Sleary appeared last. Go to

3. ‘Sir,’ said the asthmatic Mr. Sleary, whose heavy breathing made the letter s difficult to pronounce. Go to

4. Sleary removed his hat and rubbed its lining with the handkerchief he kept inside it. Go to

5. ‘I am glad to hear it, sir,’ said Sleary. Go to

6. Name your drink!’ said Mr. Sleary warmly. Go to

Original English Version

1. Sleary himself, a stout modern statue with a money-box at its elbow, in an ecclesiastical niche of early Gothic architecture, took the money. Go to

2. Miss Josephine Sleary, as some very long and very narrow strips of printed bill announced, was then inaugurating the entertainments with her graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act. Go to

3. Last of all appeared Mr. Sleary: a stout man as already mentioned, with one fixed eye, and one loose eye, a voice (if it can be called so) like the efforts of a broken old pair of bellows, a flabby surface, and a muddled head which was never sober and never drunk. Go to

4. ‘Thquire!’ said Mr. Sleary, who was troubled with asthma, and whose breath came far too thick and heavy for the letter s, ‘Your thervant! Go to

5. Give it a name, Thquire!’ said Mr. Sleary, with hospitable ease. Go to

6. ‘Ith an internal thame, upon my thoul it ith,’ said Sleary. Go to

sleary's /ˈslɪəriz/ (22 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Sleary

Simple English: belonging to Sleary, the owner of a horse-riding show in the story

Example: Posters promised Miss Josephine Sleary's elegant riding act.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. A flag announced “Sleary's Horse-riding.” Sleary collected the money, and posters promised Miss Josephine Sleary's elegant riding act. Go to

2. All the men in Sleary’s company walked this way to suggest that they were always on horseback. Go to

3. Meanwhile, Sleary’s performers slowly came down and gathered in the room. Go to

4. Sleary’s daughter Josephine was a pretty fair-haired girl of eighteen. Go to

5. The end of Sleary’s speech was directed at Mr. Gradgrind, who seriously nodded and then spoke. Go to

Original English Version

1. A flag, floating from the summit of the temple, proclaimed to mankind that it was ‘Sleary’s Horse-riding’ which claimed their suffrages. Go to

2. This walk was common to all the male members of Sleary’s company, and was understood to express, that they were always on horseback. Go to

3. Meanwhile, the various members of Sleary’s company gradually gathered together from the upper regions, where they were quartered, and, from standing about, talking in low voices to one another and to Mr. Childers, gradually insinuated themselves and him into the room. Go to

smoothed /smuːðd/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: alisou

Simple English: Made a surface flat and even.

Example: She smoothed the cloth with both hands.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. When the basket was packed, the women brought Sissy’s bonnet, smoothed her messy hair, and put it on her. Go to

Original English Version

1. The basket packed in silence, they brought her bonnet to her, and smoothed her disordered hair, and put it on. Go to

sniffing /ˈsnɪfɪŋ/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de fungadela; que funga

Simple English: Taking air in quickly through the nose.

Example: He made a small sniffing noise.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Young Thomas stood angrily sniffing by the fire. Go to

Original English Version

1. Louisa languidly leaned upon the window looking out, without looking at anything, while young Thomas stood sniffing revengefully at the fire. Go to

solemnly /ˈsɑːləmli/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: solenemente; com gravidade

Simple English: In a very serious way.

Example: He solemnly promised to keep the secret.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Mr. Gradgrind solemnly and unwillingly asked, ‘Why has the audience rejected him so often?’ Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘You are not, Cecilia Jupe,’ Thomas Gradgrind solemnly repeated, ‘to do anything of that kind.’ Go to

sparsit /ˈspɑːrsɪt/ (499 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Sparsit

Simple English: the surname of Mrs. Sparsit, a proud housekeeper character in the story

Example: Mrs. Sparsit watched everything happening in the house.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Her name was Mrs. Sparsit. Go to

2. Mrs. Sparsit had once lived better and came from an important family. Go to

3. Lady Scadgers arranged the marriage between young Mr. Sparsit and her older relative. Go to

4. Now, older and still proud, Mrs. Sparsit made Bounderby's breakfast tea. Go to

5. Bounderby displayed Mrs. Sparsit like a conqueror showing a captured princess. Go to

6. When a speaker used these lines, everyone understood that he had heard about Mrs. Sparsit. Go to

Original English Version

1. Mrs. Sparsit was this lady’s name; and she was a prominent figure in attendance on Mr. Bounderby’s car, as it rolled along in triumph with the Bully of humility inside. Go to

2. For, Mrs. Sparsit had not only seen different days, but was highly connected. Go to

3. Mr. Sparsit, deceased, of whom she was the relict, had been by the mother’s side what Mrs. Sparsit still called ‘a Powler.’ Strangers of limited information and dull apprehension were sometimes observed not to know what a Powler was, and even to appear uncertain whether it might be a business, or a political party, or a profession of faith. Go to

4. The late Mr. Sparsit, being by the mother’s side a Powler, married this lady, being by the father’s side a Scadgers. Go to

5. Lady Scadgers (an immensely fat old woman, with an inordinate appetite for butcher’s meat, and a mysterious leg which had now refused to get out of bed for fourteen years) contrived the marriage, at a period when Sparsit was just of age, and chiefly noticeable for a slender body, weakly supported on two long slim props, and surmounted by no head worth mentioning. Go to

6. And here she was now, in her elderly days, with the Coriolanian style of nose and the dense black eyebrows which had captivated Sparsit, making Mr. Bounderby’s tea as he took his breakfast. Go to

sparsit's /ˈspɑːrsɪts/ (46 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Sparsit

Simple English: belonging to Mrs. Sparsit, describing her proud manner

Example: Sparsit's proud nose widened slightly as she drank her tea.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. How thoughtful!” Mrs. Sparsit's proud nose widened slightly, and her black eyebrows tightened as she drank her tea. Go to

2. Is he not rather young, sir?” Mrs. Sparsit's formal “sir” demanded respect for herself more than it honored Bounderby. Go to

Original English Version

1. Just as it belonged to his boastfulness to depreciate his own extraction, so it belonged to it to exalt Mrs. Sparsit’s. Go to

2. In the measure that he would not allow his own youth to have been attended by a single favourable circumstance, he brightened Mrs. Sparsit’s juvenile career with every possible advantage, and showered waggon-loads of early roses all over that lady’s path. Go to

3. Very thoughtful of you!’ Mrs. Sparsit’s Coriolanian nose underwent a slight expansion of the nostrils, and her black eyebrows contracted as she took a sip of tea. Go to

4. Rather young for that, is he not, sir?’ Mrs. Sparsit’s ‘sir,’ in addressing Mr. Bounderby, was a word of ceremony, rather exacting consideration for herself in the use, than honouring him. Go to

speechless /ˈspiːtʃləs/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: sem palavras; mudo de espanto

Simple English: Unable to speak because of surprise or strong feeling.

Example: The news left us all speechless.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Speechless with surprise, Mr. Gradgrind crossed over, put a hand on each guilty child, and said: Go to

Stable /ˈsteɪbəl/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: estável; estábulo; estabilidade

Simple English: Farm building designed to house horses or livestock.

Example: The horses live in a stable near the big red barn.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. His clothes and smell mixed the stable with the theatre. Go to

starved /stɑːrvd/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: faminto; morrendo de fome

Simple English: Suffering badly from lack of food, or of anything needed.

Example: The plants were starved of light in that corner.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Instead of one old woman beating and starving me, people of every age beat and starved me. Go to

Original English Version

1. There was an air of jaded sullenness in them both, and particularly in the girl: yet, struggling through the dissatisfaction of her face, there was a light with nothing to rest upon, a fire with nothing to burn, a starved imagination keeping life in itself somehow, which brightened its expression. Go to

2. Then I became a young vagabond; and instead of one old woman knocking me about and starving me, everybody of all ages knocked me about and starved me. Go to

steep /stiːp/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: íngreme; acentuada; escarpadas

Simple English: (Of an angle) measuring less than ninety degrees.

Example: The mountain climb was steep, making it very challenging for hikers.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. They followed the girl up steep stairs and waited in darkness while she fetched a candle. Go to

stockings /ˈstɑːkɪŋz/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: meias longas; meias de malha

Simple English: Close-fitting coverings for the feet and legs.

Example: She darned her stockings by the window.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I did not even know what stockings were. Go to

stomachs /ˈstʌməks/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: estômagos

Simple English: The parts of the body where food goes after eating.

Example: Their empty stomachs made them walk faster.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. A cow was introduced to them only as a four-legged, grass-eating animal with several stomachs. Go to

Original English Version

1. No little Gradgrind had ever associated a cow in a field with that famous cow with the crumpled horn who tossed the dog who worried the cat who killed the rat who ate the malt, or with that yet more famous cow who swallowed Tom Thumb: it had never heard of those celebrities, and had only been introduced to a cow as a graminivorous ruminating quadruped with several stomachs. Go to

stony /ˈstoʊni/ (7 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: pedregosas

Simple English: Covered with stones.

Example: A stony path led up to the hut.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. He had worked his stony way into Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council’s Schedule B, and had taken the bloom off the higher branches of mathematics and physical science, French, German, Latin, and Greek. Go to

storybook /ˈstɔriˌbʊk/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: livro de histórias

Simple English: A book containing fictional stories, often for children.

Example: She pretended to read history while hiding a storybook inside the cover.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Despite every precaution, could some useless storybook have entered the house? Go to

stretch /strɛtʃ/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: esticar; estiramento; trecho

Simple English: To extend body or body parts to full length.

Example: Before running, it is important to stretch your muscles properly.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. His rough body seemed stretched to make him so large. Go to

strike /straɪk/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Strike; greve; golpear

Simple English: To stop working to protest conditions at work.

Example: Workers may strike if their pay is too low and unfair.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Simply being left alone with her husband and Mr. Bounderby was enough to stun this admirable lady again, even without another fact striking her. Go to

stun /stʌn/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: atordoar

Simple English: To make someone unconscious or briefly unable to think or move.

Example: The blow was hard enough to stun him.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Simply being left alone with her husband and Mr. Bounderby was enough to stun this admirable lady again, even without another fact striking her. Go to

Original English Version

1. The simple circumstance of being left alone with her husband and Mr. Bounderby, was sufficient to stun this admirable lady again without collision between herself and any other fact. Go to

swear /swɛər/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: juro; jurar; juram

Simple English: To assert strongly that something is true or binding.

Example: I swear I saw her at the concert last night without a doubt.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I am no angel, and if you failed in an act, I might become angry and swear. Go to

2. But I have never harmed a horse beyond swearing at it, and at my age I will not begin treating a rider differently. Go to

swelled /swɛld/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: inchou; encheu-se

Simple English: Became larger, often by filling with air or water.

Example: The balloon swelled out and rose into the air.

Use in this Book:

Original English Version

1. A man with a great puffed head and forehead, swelled veins in his temples, and such a strained skin to his face that it seemed to hold his eyes open, and lift his eyebrows up. Go to

tailor's /ˈteɪlərz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: do alfaiate; da alfaiataria

Simple English: The possessive form of tailor, referring to the tailor or the tailor's shop.

Example: The elegant mercenary appeared unexpectedly in the tailor's shop.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Signor Jupe would show his trained dog Merrylegs, perform amazing feats of strength, tell jokes, and finish with a funny play called _The Tailor's Journey to Brentford_. Go to

Original English Version

1. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Go to

teapot /ˈtiːpɑːt/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: bule de chá

Simple English: A pot with a spout, used for making and pouring tea.

Example: She filled the teapot with hot water.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The lady beside the teapot is Mrs. Sparsit, mistress of this house and a woman of important family. Go to

Original English Version

1. The name of that lady by the teapot, is Mrs. Sparsit. Go to

temperance /ˈtɛmpərəns/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: temperança

Simple English: self-control, especially avoiding alcohol

Example: DAN said, "He is a strong temperance man!

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The Temperance Society used tables to complain that they kept getting drunk and claimed that only a medal could stop them. Go to

thomas's /ˈtɒməzɪz/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de Thomas

Simple English: Possessive form showing something belongs to Thomas.

Example: Thomas's shelves of preserves and china.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Yet today’s small and unexpected event suggests that something has entered Thomas’s and Louisa’s minds. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘And yet, Bounderby, it would appear from this unexpected circumstance of to-day, though in itself a trifling one, as if something had crept into Thomas’s and Louisa’s minds which is - or rather, which is not - I don’t know that I can express myself better than by saying - which has never been intended to be developed, and in which their reason has no part.’ Go to

tightened /ˈtaɪtənd/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: apertou

Simple English: Made something firmer or closer.

Example: He tightened the rope around the box.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. How thoughtful!” Mrs. Sparsit's proud nose widened slightly, and her black eyebrows tightened as she drank her tea. Go to

tiredly /ˈtaɪərdli/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: cansadamente; com fadiga

Simple English: In a way that shows you need rest.

Example: She sat down tiredly on the step.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Louisa leaned tiredly against the window, looking out but seeing nothing. Go to

tom's /tɒmz/ (25 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Tom

Simple English: used here as the contraction 'Tom has'

Example: "Tom's quit."

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He boasted that at Tom's age his own mind had been empty of learning. Go to

tongs /tɔːŋz/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: tenazes; pinças

Simple English: A tool with two arms used to pick things up.

Example: She lifted the hot coal with iron tongs.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I was so dirty and dressed in such rags that you would not have touched me even with tongs.’ Go to

2. Mrs. Gradgrind weakly looked at the tongs, because this was the only suitable response her limited mind could imagine. Go to

Original English Version

1. I was so ragged and dirty, that you wouldn’t have touched me with a pair of tongs.’ Go to

2. Mrs. Gradgrind faintly looked at the tongs, as the most appropriate thing her imbecility could think of doing. Go to

trembling /ˈtrɛmblɪŋ/ (17 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: tremendo; tremor

Simple English: Shaking slightly or the act of shaking, often from fear or excitement.

Example: Lucy stood trembling in the hallway after the argument.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “My father calls me Sissy, sir,” the girl replied in a trembling voice, making another curtsy. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘It’s father as calls me Sissy, sir,’ returned the young girl in a trembling voice, and with another curtsey. Go to

2. It had a black canal in it, and a river that ran purple with ill-smelling dye, and vast piles of building full of windows where there was a rattling and a trembling all day long, and where the piston of the steam-engine worked monotonously up and down, like the head of an elephant in a state of melancholy madness. Go to

troublemakers /ˈtrʌbəlˌmeɪkərz/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: encrenqueiros

Simple English: Troublemakers are people who deliberately cause problems or disorder.

Example: The guards arrived before the troublemakers could stir up the crowd.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “Just think of these wanderers,” he said, “drawing young troublemakers away from a model school.” Go to

tumbling /ˈtʌmblɪŋ/ (7 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: caindo; rolando

Simple English: Falling suddenly and rolling over.

Example: The warriors went tumbling heels over head.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘He also failed with the banners and was weak in his tumbling.’ Go to

2. His jumps were short and his tumbling was poor.’ Go to

3. ‘Nine oils, Merrylegs, failed acts, garters, banners, and tumbling!’ Bounderby cried with his loudest laugh. Go to

Original English Version

1. Mrs. Gradgrind, a little, thin, white, pink-eyed bundle of shawls, of surpassing feebleness, mental and bodily; who was always taking physic without any effect, and who, whenever she showed a symptom of coming to life, was invariably stunned by some weighty piece of fact tumbling on her; Mrs. Gradgrind hoped it was a dry ditch? Go to

2. Was short in his leaps and bad in his tumbling,’ Mr. Childers interpreted. Go to

3. ‘Why, ma’am,’ he returned, ‘I am thinking about Tom Gradgrind’s whim;’ Tom Gradgrind, for a bluff independent manner of speaking - as if somebody were always endeavouring to bribe him with immense sums to say Thomas, and he wouldn’t; ‘Tom Gradgrind’s whim, ma’am, of bringing up the tumbling-girl.’ Go to

tune (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: melodia; música; toada

Simple English: a series of musical notes

Example: I cannot remember the tune of that song.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Before we continue our tune, let us sound Coketown’s main note. Go to

twinkle /ˈtwɪŋkəl/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: brilho travesso; cintilação

Simple English: A bright playful look in the eyes.

Example: He said it with a twinkle in his eye.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. No Gradgrind child had imagined a face in the moon or sung “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” At five, each already knew scientific facts about stars. Go to

Original English Version

1. No little Gradgrind had ever learnt the silly jingle, Twinkle, twinkle, little star; how I wonder what you are! Go to

undeserved /ˌʌndɪˈzɜːrvd/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: imerecido

Simple English: Not fair, because it was not earned.

Example: He was ashamed of the undeserved praise.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘Really?’ said Mr. Gradgrind, annoyed that his praise had been undeserved. Go to

unexpected (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: inesperado; surpreendente; imprevisto

Simple English: not expected

Example: The meeting had an unexpected result.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Yet today’s small and unexpected event suggests that something has entered Thomas’s and Louisa’s minds. Go to

unfriendly /ʌnˈfrɛndli/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: hostil; pouco amigável

Simple English: Not kind or pleasant to others.

Example: He growled at the Scarecrow in an unfriendly way.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He was naturally unfriendly, had once hoped to marry her, and moved away in a bad mood. Go to

ungrateful /ʌnˈɡreɪtfəl/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: ingrato

Simple English: Not showing thanks for what someone has done.

Example: I would be ungrateful if I did not mourn him.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. These supposedly proved that the workers were bad, ungrateful, restless, demanding, and always dissatisfied, however much others did for them. Go to

unhappily /ʌnˈhæpɪli/ (5 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: infelizmente; de modo desastrado

Simple English: In a sad or unfortunate way.

Example: Unhappily, they had run out of food.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘That is exactly the reason!’ Louisa replied unhappily. Go to

unkind /ʌnˈkaɪnd/ (8 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: cruel; maldoso; sem bondade

Simple English: Not kind; causing hurt to others.

Example: He took care never to be unkind to anything.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Considering everything, he was not naturally unkind. Go to

Original English Version

1. His character was not unkind, all things considered; it might have been a very kind one indeed, if he had only made some round mistake in the arithmetic that balanced it, years ago. Go to

unmarried /ʌnˈmærid/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: solteiro; não casado

Simple English: Not married.

Example: Two of the three sisters were still unmarried.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Because Mr. Bounderby was unmarried, an older woman managed his home for a yearly salary. Go to

unnatural /ʌnˈnætʃərəl/ (14 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: antinatural; artificial; desumano

Simple English: Not normal, or not the way nature usually works.

Example: The room was filled with an unnatural silence.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Instead, the town was an unnatural red and black. Go to

Original English Version

1. It was a town of red brick, or of brick that would have been red if the smoke and ashes had allowed it; but as matters stood, it was a town of unnatural red and black like the painted face of a savage. Go to

unsentimental /ˌʌnsɛntəˈmɛntəl/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: pouco sentimental; prático; sóbrio

Simple English: practical and plain, not showing soft emotions

Example: She entered the homely, unsentimental atmosphere of the kitchen.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Mr. Bounderby was as close a friend of Mr. Gradgrind as one completely unsentimental man could be to another. Go to

unsuitable /ʌnˈsuːtəbəl/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: inadequado; impróprio

Simple English: not right or proper for a person, purpose or occasion

Example: He is so unsuitable in every way, you know.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. ‘I came to say that her family connections made her unsuitable for the school and that she must leave. Go to

untidily /ʌnˈtaɪdəli/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: desordenadamente; de forma desleixada

Simple English: in a messy way, without care or order

Example: She was always dressed untidily and always tired.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. One could imagine that he had talked most of it away, while the rest stood untidily on end because his windy boasting always blew it about. Go to

2. They seemed wild and worldly, dressed untidily, lived without order, and had little education. Go to

untouched /ʌnˈtʌtʃt/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: intocado; ainda não alcançado

Simple English: Not changed, not reached and not used.

Example: His plate of food was still untouched.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. The longer they did dull, repetitive work, the more they needed physical relief: cheerful relaxation, an honest dance to lively music, a recognized holiday, or some light entertainment untouched by M’Choakumchild. Go to

unwillingly /ʌnˈwɪlɪŋli/ (10 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: de má vontade; a contragosto

Simple English: Doing something without wanting to.

Example: He unwillingly agreed to share the room.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. After a cold pause, she slowly crossed the room and unwillingly raised her cheek towards him, keeping her face turned away. Go to

2. ‘Yes, sir,’ the girl said unwillingly. Go to

3. Mr. Gradgrind solemnly and unwillingly asked, ‘Why has the audience rejected him so often?’ Go to

upbringing /ˈʌpbrɪŋɪŋ/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: criação; educação familiar

Simple English: The way a child is cared for and taught at home.

Example: Her upbringing had been very strict.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I did not receive a refined upbringing.’ Go to

vagabond /ˈvæɡəbɑːnd/ (7 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: vagabundo; vadio

Simple English: A person who wanders without a settled home or regular work.

Example: The vagabond slept beneath an abandoned shed.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. In the same way, Jupe is a runaway criminal and a vagabond.’ Go to

Original English Version

1. Then I became a young vagabond; and instead of one old woman knocking me about and starving me, everybody of all ages knocked me about and starved me. Go to

2. Vagabond, errand-boy, vagabond, labourer, porter, clerk, chief manager, small partner, Josiah Bounderby of Coketown. Go to

3. ‘When I was a vagabond myself, nobody looked with any interest at _me_; I know that.’ Go to

4. He is a runaway rogue and a vagabond, that’s what he is, in English.’ Go to

victory /ˈvɪktəri/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: vitória; triunfo

Simple English: Success achieved in war, competition, or other contest.

Example: The victory in the final race brought joy to the entire team.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Coketown, where Mr. Bounderby and Mr. Gradgrind were now going, was a victory of fact. Go to

virtues /ˈvɜrtʃuz/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: virtudes; boas qualidades

Simple English: good qualities in a person's character or behaviour

Example: His virtues and services could not sustain him.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. These qualities deserved as much respect as the ordinary virtues of any social class. Go to

Original English Version

1. Yet there was a remarkable gentleness and childishness about these people, a special inaptitude for any kind of sharp practice, and an untiring readiness to help and pity one another, deserving often of as much respect, and always of as much generous construction, as the every-day virtues of any class of people in the world. Go to

wanderer /ˈwɑːndərər/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: andarilho; peregrino

Simple English: A person who travels from place to place.

Example: The old wanderer knew every road.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Then I became a young homeless wanderer. Go to

2. I learned the alphabet from shop signs and learned to tell time from the clock of St. Giles’s Church in London, taught by a drunken disabled man who was a convicted thief and lifelong wanderer. Go to

wanderers /ˈwɑːndərərz/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: andarilhos; errantes

Simple English: People who travel from place to place with no fixed home.

Example: The road was full of wanderers that summer.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. “Just think of these wanderers,” he said, “drawing young troublemakers away from a model school.” Go to

warmly /ˈwɔːrmli/ (6 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: calorosamente; com cordialidade

Simple English: In a friendly, kind way.

Example: Come along, said the Scarecrow warmly.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Name your drink!’ said Mr. Sleary warmly. Go to

Original English Version

1. ‘You _must_ paper it,’ said the gentleman, rather warmly. Go to

weakly /ˈwiːkli/ (14 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: debilmente; sem convicção

Simple English: In a way that shows very little strength.

Example: The sick man smiled weakly at his friend.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Mrs. Gradgrind weakly looked at the tongs, because this was the only suitable response her limited mind could imagine. Go to

2. Mrs. Gradgrind gently and weakly began to express hope that his mother - Go to

3. Mrs. Gradgrind smiled weakly but showed no other sign of life. Go to

Original English Version

1. Mrs. Gradgrind meekly and weakly hoped that his mother - Go to

2. Mrs. Gradgrind, weakly smiling, and giving no other sign of vitality, looked (as she always did) like an indifferently executed transparency of a small female figure, without enough light behind it. Go to

3. Lady Scadgers (an immensely fat old woman, with an inordinate appetite for butcher’s meat, and a mysterious leg which had now refused to get out of bed for fourteen years) contrived the marriage, at a period when Sparsit was just of age, and chiefly noticeable for a slender body, weakly supported on two long slim props, and surmounted by no head worth mentioning. Go to

wealthy /ˈwɛlθi/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: rico; abastada; rica

Simple English: Having large amounts of money or valuable possessions.

Example: He is wealthy enough to travel the world whenever he wants.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. He told Mrs. Sparsit that her wealthy childhood at the Italian Opera made it impossible for her to understand circus performers or his own poverty. Go to

wept /wɛpt/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: chorou; derramou lágrimas

Simple English: Cried, with tears falling.

Example: She wept when the letter arrived.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She fell into the arms of Emma Gordon, a pregnant tight-rope performer, who knelt to comfort her and wept with her. Go to

whistling /ˈwɪslɪŋ/ (4 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: assobio; silvo

Simple English: A high sound made by air moving quickly.

Example: A sharp whistling came through the air.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. Childers politely went to the landing and waited, rubbing his face and softly whistling. Go to

Original English Version

1. Upon this, Mr. Childers politely betook himself, with his equestrian walk, to the landing outside the door, and there stood stroking his face, and softly whistling. Go to

widened /ˈwaɪdənd/ (1 occurrence in the simplified text)

Português: alargou; arregalou

Simple English: Became wider, or was made wider.

Example: Her eyes widened when she read the total.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. How thoughtful!” Mrs. Sparsit's proud nose widened slightly, and her black eyebrows tightened as she drank her tea. Go to

willed /wɪld/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: quis; determinou; deixou em testamento

Simple English: used your mind to decide something or make it happen

Example: The brain that willed the muscles to move.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. She was pretty and, he thought, would have been strong-willed without his practical education. Go to

Original English Version

1. Would have been self-willed (he thought in his eminently practical way) but for her bringing-up. Go to

willing /ˈwɪlɪŋ/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: disposto; desejando; querendo

Simple English: Ready and enthusiastic to do something or agree.

Example: She is willing to help us with the project this weekend.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. I am willing to take her as an apprentice, though she is rather old to begin. Go to

winged /wɪŋd/ (2 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: Alados (nos Macacos Alados, nome próprio)

Simple English: Part of the name of the Winged Monkeys, the flying creatures bound to the Golden Cap.

Example: The Winged Monkeys carried them over the hills.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. A picture of the winged horse hung on its sign, with the name written below in Roman letters. Go to

Original English Version

1. The Pegasus’s legs might have been more to the purpose; but, underneath the winged horse upon the sign-board, the Pegasus’s Arms was inscribed in Roman letters. Go to

worldly /ˈwɜːrldli/ (3 occurrences in the simplified text)

Português: mundanos; do século

Simple English: Belonging to ordinary life and not to religion.

Example: He left his worldly goods behind.

Use in this Book:

Simplified (B1) English Version

1. They seemed wild and worldly, dressed untidily, lived without order, and had little education. Go to

Original Text: Rare Words (1/4)

Compact help for additional rare words found only in the original text. Each entry gives the spelling, pronunciation, common Portuguese meanings and one exact return to the source paragraph.

abashed /əˈbæʃt/ — envergonhado; constrangido. ‘We’d have had a young gentleman to meet you, if we had known you were coming,’ retorted Master Kidderminster, nothing abashed. Return to Original English Version

abasing /əˈbeɪsɪŋ/ — humilhando; rebaixando. Phenomenon almost incredible though distinctly seen, what did he then behold but his own metallurgical Louisa, peeping with all her might through a hole in a deal board, and his own mathematical Thomas abasing himself on the ground to catch but a hoof of the graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act! Return to Original English Version

absconded /əbˈskɑːndɪd/ — fugiu às escondidas; escapou. Your father has absconded - deserted you - and you mustn’t expect to see him again as long as you live.’ Return to Original English Version

accuthtomed /əˈkʌθtəmd/ — acostumado. They’re a very good natur’d people, my people, but they’re accuthtomed to be quick in their movementh; and if you don’t act upon my advithe, I’m damned if I don’t believe they’ll pith you out o’ winder.’ Return to Original English Version

adversary /ˈædvərseri/ — adversário; oponente. He was certain to knock the wind out of common sense, and render that unlucky adversary deaf to the call of time. Return to Original English Version

advithe /ədˈvaɪθ/ — conselho. They’re a very good natur’d people, my people, but they’re accuthtomed to be quick in their movementh; and if you don’t act upon my advithe, I’m damned if I don’t believe they’ll pith you out o’ winder.’ Return to Original English Version

affectation /ˌæfekˈteɪʃən/ — afetação; fingimento. ‘It is true, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with an affectation of humility the very opposite of his, and therefore in no danger of jostling it. Return to Original English Version

affluent /ˈæfluənt/ — abastado. Thus, when he died, at twenty-four (the scene of his decease, Calais, and the cause, brandy), he did not leave his widow, from whom he had been separated soon after the honeymoon, in affluent circumstances. Return to Original English Version

afforded /əˈfɔːrdɪd/ — proporcionou; permitiu-se; teve meios para. She was very young, and she looked as if she were frightened by the matter-of-fact prospect the world afforded. Return to Original English Version

alluding /əˈluːdɪŋ/ — aludindo; referindo-se a. Whatsoever the public meeting held in Coketown, and whatsoever the subject of such meeting, some Coketowner was sure to seize the occasion of alluding to his eminently practical friend Gradgrind. Return to Original English Version

alwayth /ˈɔːlweɪθ/ — sempre. Known all over England, and alwayth paythe ith way.’ Return to Original English Version

amazement /əˈmeɪzmənt/ — espanto; assombro; admiração. Dumb with amazement, Mr. Gradgrind crossed to the spot where his family was thus disgraced, laid his hand upon each erring child, and said: Return to Original English Version

amuthed /əˈmjuːðd/ — divertidas. People mutht be amuthed, Thquire, thomehow,’ continued Sleary, rendered more pursy than ever, by so much talking; ‘they can’t be alwayth a working, nor yet they can’t be alwayth a learning. Return to Original English Version

analogous /əˈnæləɡəs/ — análogo. Not with the brightness natural to cheerful youth, but with uncertain, eager, doubtful flashes, which had something painful in them, analogous to the changes on a blind face groping its way. Return to Original English Version

ancestor /ˈænsestər/ — antepassado; ancestral. As to Merrylegs, that respectable ancestor of the highly trained animal who went aboard the ark, might have been accidentally shut out of it, for any sign of a dog that was manifest to eye or ear in the Pegasus’s Arms. Return to Original English Version

antecedents /ˌæntəˈsiːdənts/ — antecedentes. Those are the antecedents, and the culmination. Return to Original English Version

antennæ /ænˈteniː/ — antenas. Bitzer, after rapidly blinking at Thomas Gradgrind with both eyes at once, and so catching the light upon his quivering ends of lashes that they looked like the antennæ of busy insects, put his knuckles to his freckled forehead, and sat down again. Return to Original English Version

anticipating /ænˈtɪsɪpeɪtɪŋ/ — antecipando; prevendo. The question was unexpectedly and suddenly answered for her, by the colourless boy, Bitzer, who came round the corner with such blind speed and so little anticipating a stoppage on the pavement, that he brought himself up against Mr. Gradgrind’s waistcoat and rebounded into the road. Return to Original English Version

anyhow /ˈɛnihaʊ/ — de qualquer forma; enfim. Here I am, Mrs. Gradgrind, anyhow, and nobody to thank for my being here, but myself.’ Return to Original English Version

apprehend /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/ — compreender; supor. In such a case, your father, I apprehend, must find out Mr. - ’ Return to Original English Version

apprehension /ˌæprɪˈhenʃən/ — apreensão; receio. Mr. Sparsit, deceased, of whom she was the relict, had been by the mother’s side what Mrs. Sparsit still called ‘a Powler.’ Strangers of limited information and dull apprehension were sometimes observed not to know what a Powler was, and even to appear uncertain whether it might be a business, or a political party, or a profession of faith. Return to Original English Version

approbation /ˌæprəˈbeɪʃən/ — aprovação; beneplácito. What is called Taste, is only another name for Fact.’ Thomas Gradgrind nodded his approbation. Return to Original English Version

aright /əˈraɪt/ — corretamente; devidamente, arcaico. That exactly in the ratio as they worked long and monotonously, the craving grew within them for some physical relief - some relaxation, encouraging good humour and good spirits, and giving them a vent - some recognized holiday, though it were but for an honest dance to a stirring band of music - some occasional light pie in which even M’Choakumchild had no finger - which craving must and would be satisfied aright, or must and would inevitably go wrong, until the laws of the Creation were repealed? Return to Original English Version

arithmetical /ˌærɪθˈmɛtɪkəl/ — aritmético; relativo a cálculos. He had virtually retired from the wholesale hardware trade before he built Stone Lodge, and was now looking about for a suitable opportunity of making an arithmetical figure in Parliament. Return to Original English Version

astonished /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/ — espantado; surpreso. Of what?’ asked the astonished father. Return to Original English Version

astonishment /əˈstɑːnɪʃmənt/ — espanto; assombro. ‘Serve ’em right,’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘for being idle.’ She glanced up at his face, with mingled astonishment and dread. Return to Original English Version

astounding /əˈstaʊndɪŋ/ — assombroso; espantoso. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

asunder /əˈsʌndər/ — em pedaços; ao meio. Because they were never asunder. Return to Original English Version

ath /æθ/ — como. My voithe ith a little huthky, Thquire, and not eathy heard by them ath don’t know me; but if you’d been chilled and heated, heated and chilled, chilled and heated in the ring when you wath young, ath often ath I have been, _your_ voithe wouldn’t have lathted out, Thquire, no more than mine.’ Return to Original English Version

athamed /əˈθeɪmd/ — envergonhado. Not athamed of it. Return to Original English Version

attentively /əˈtentɪvli/ — atentamente; com atenção. With that he regarded her attentively with his fixed eye, surveyed his company with his loose one, kissed her, shook his head, and handed her to Mr. Gradgrind as to a horse. Return to Original English Version

augustus /ɔːˈgʌstəs/ — Augusto. You might hope to get some other nonsensical belief into the head of George Gradgrind, or Augustus Gradgrind, or John Gradgrind, or Joseph Gradgrind (all supposititious, non-existent persons), but into the head of Thomas Gradgrind - no, sir! Return to Original English Version

aways /əˈweɪz/ — sempre. ‘It’s what our people aways use, sir, when they get any hurts in the ring,’ replied the girl, looking over her shoulder, to assure herself that her pursuer was gone. Return to Original English Version

backhanded /ˌbækˈhændɪd/ — de revés; indireto e ambíguo. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

banged /bæŋd/ — bateu com força; deu pancadas. I didn’t get ’em by posture-making, but by being banged about. Return to Original English Version

barbarous /ˈbɑːrbərəs/ — bárbaro; cruel. It was very strange to walk through the streets on a Sunday morning, and note how few of _them_ the barbarous jangling of bells that was driving the sick and nervous mad, called away from their own quarter, from their own close rooms, from the corners of their own streets, where they lounged listlessly, gazing at all the church and chapel going, as at a thing with which they had no manner of concern. Return to Original English Version

barked /bɑːrkt/ — latiu. They expected every moment to hear Merrylegs give tongue, but the highly trained performing dog had not barked when the girl and the candle appeared together. Return to Original English Version

basins /ˈbeɪsənz/ — bacias; reservatórios; depressões. The father of one of the families was in the habit of balancing the father of another of the families on the top of a great pole; the father of a third family often made a pyramid of both those fathers, with Master Kidderminster for the apex, and himself for the base; all the fathers could dance upon rolling casks, stand upon bottles, catch knives and balls, twirl hand-basins, ride upon anything, jump over everything, and stick at nothing. Return to Original English Version

battered /ˈbætərd/ — amassado; muito danificado; maltratado. She came bounding down again in a great hurry, opened a battered and mangy old hair trunk, found it empty, and looked round with her hands clasped and her face full of terror. Return to Original English Version

behoof /bɪˈhuːf/ — proveito; benefício, arcaico. ‘Girl number twenty unable to define a horse!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, for the general behoof of all the little pitchers. Return to Original English Version

bereaved /bɪˈriːvd/ — enlutado; que perdeu alguém. That bereaved lady, fifteen years older than he, fell presently at deadly feud with her only relative, Lady Scadgers; and, partly to spite her ladyship, and partly to maintain herself, went out at a salary. Return to Original English Version

bespeak /bɪˈspiːk/ — denotar; encomendar. ‘It’s a pity you don’t have a bespeak, being so particular. Return to Original English Version

bestirred /bɪˈstɜːrd/ — pôs-se em ação; mexeu-se. The women sadly bestirred themselves to get the clothes together - it was soon done, for they were not many - and to pack them in a basket which had often travelled with them. Return to Original English Version

bethpeak /bɛθˈpiːk/ — apoiar. But if, when you’re grown up and married and well off, you come upon any horthe-riding ever, don’t be hard upon it, don’t be croth with it, give it a Bethpeak if you can, and think you might do wurth. Return to Original English Version

betht /bɛθt/ — melhor. Make the betht of uth; not the wurtht. Return to Original English Version

betook /bɪˈtʊk/ — dirigiu-se; pôs-se a. Upon this, Mr. Childers politely betook himself, with his equestrian walk, to the landing outside the door, and there stood stroking his face, and softly whistling. Return to Original English Version

billth /bɪlθ/ — cartazes, programas do espetáculo. I with your father hadn’t taken hith dog with him; ith a ill-conwenienth to have the dog out of the billth. Return to Original English Version

birdcage /ˈbɜːrdkeɪdʒ/ — gaiola. If the members of a religious persuasion built a chapel there - as the members of eighteen religious persuasions had done - they made it a pious warehouse of red brick, with sometimes (but this is only in highly ornamental examples) a bell in a birdcage on the top of it. Return to Original English Version

bismuth /ˈbɪzməθ/ — bismuto. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy. Return to Original English Version

bithnith /ˈbɪθnɪθ/ — negócio. Thith ith a bad piethe of bithnith, thith ith. Return to Original English Version

bitterth /ˈbɪtərθ/ — licor amargo. If you haven’t took your feed yet, have a glath of bitterth.’ Return to Original English Version

blustered /ˈblʌstərd/ — esbravejou; falou grosso. ‘Well!’ blustered Mr. Bounderby, ‘what’s the matter? Return to Original English Version

blustrous /ˈblʌstrəs/ — fanfarrão; ruidoso. Observing this, the blustrous Bounderby had the following remarks to make: Return to Original English Version

boastfulness /ˈboʊstfəlnəs/ — jactância; gabolice. One might have fancied he had talked it off; and that what was left, all standing up in disorder, was in that condition from being constantly blown about by his windy boastfulness. Return to Original English Version

boldness /ˈboʊldnəs/ — ousadia; atrevimento. But, Louisa looked at her father with more boldness than Thomas did. Return to Original English Version

bolted /ˈboʊltɪd/ — disparou; trancou com ferrolho; engoliu depressa. Bolted, ma’am!’ said Bounderby. Return to Original English Version

bolus /ˈboʊləs/ — bolo medicinal; grande porção. A mighty man at cutting and drying, he was; a government officer; in his way (and in most other people’s too), a professed pugilist; always in training, always with a system to force down the general throat like a bolus, always to be heard of at the bar of his little Public-office, ready to fight all England. Return to Original English Version

bosom /ˈbʊzəm/ — peito; seio. Why, Mr. Bounderby was as near being Mr. Gradgrind’s bosom friend, as a man perfectly devoid of sentiment can approach that spiritual relationship towards another man perfectly devoid of sentiment. Return to Original English Version

botanical /bəˈtænɪkəl/ — botânico. A lawn and garden and an infant avenue, all ruled straight like a botanical account-book. Return to Original English Version

bounding /ˈbaʊndɪŋ/ — saltando; pulando; correndo aos saltos. She came bounding down again in a great hurry, opened a battered and mangy old hair trunk, found it empty, and looked round with her hands clasped and her face full of terror. Return to Original English Version

brassy /ˈbræsi/ — estridente; semelhante a latão. A man who was always proclaiming, through that brassy speaking-trumpet of a voice of his, his old ignorance and his old poverty. Return to Original English Version

bray /breɪ/ — zurro. The clashing and banging band attached to the horse-riding establishment, which had there set up its rest in a wooden pavilion, was in full bray. Return to Original English Version

brim /brɪm/ — aba; borda. The speaker, and the schoolmaster, and the third grown person present, all backed a little, and swept with their eyes the inclined plane of little vessels then and there arranged in order, ready to have imperial gallons of facts poured into them until they were full to the brim. Return to Original English Version

briskly /ˈbrɪskli/ — rapidamente; com energia; a passo firme. ‘Very well,’ said this gentleman, briskly smiling, and folding his arms. Return to Original English Version

briskness /ˈbrɪsknəs/ — vivacidade; presteza. Nay, he made this foil of his so very widely known, that third parties took it up, and handled it on some occasions with considerable briskness. Return to Original English Version

bristled /ˈbrɪsəld/ — eriçou-se; ficou eriçado. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s hair, which bristled on the skirts of his bald head, a plantation of firs to keep the wind from its shining surface, all covered with knobs, like the crust of a plum pie, as if the head had scarcely warehouse-room for the hard facts stored inside. Return to Original English Version

brooms /bruːmz/ — vassouras. Iron clamps and girders, fire-proof from top to bottom; mechanical lifts for the housemaids, with all their brushes and brooms; everything that heart could desire. Return to Original English Version

bruise /bruːz/ — hematoma; equimose. ‘They bruise themselves very bad sometimes.’ Return to Original English Version

bursting /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/ — morrendo de vontade; a ponto de estourar. ‘Stop a bit!’ cried Bounderby, who all this time had been standing, as before, on the hearth, bursting at the very furniture of the room with explosive humility. Return to Original English Version

busily /ˈbɪzɪli/ — atarefadamente; sem parar. So, Mr. Bounderby threw on his hat - he always threw it on, as expressing a man who had been far too busily employed in making himself, to acquire any fashion of wearing his hat - and with his hands in his pockets, sauntered out into the hall. Return to Original English Version

butcher's /ˈbʊtʃərz/ — do açougueiro. Lady Scadgers (an immensely fat old woman, with an inordinate appetite for butcher’s meat, and a mysterious leg which had now refused to get out of bed for fourteen years) contrived the marriage, at a period when Sparsit was just of age, and chiefly noticeable for a slender body, weakly supported on two long slim props, and surmounted by no head worth mentioning. Return to Original English Version

cackler /ˈkæklər/ — artista de circo que fazia a parte falada. ‘He has his points as a Cackler still, but he can’t get a living out of _them_.’ Return to Original English Version

captivated /ˈkæptɪveɪtɪd/ — cativou; encantado. And here she was now, in her elderly days, with the Coriolanian style of nose and the dense black eyebrows which had captivated Sparsit, making Mr. Bounderby’s tea as he took his breakfast. Return to Original English Version

carmine /ˈkɑːrmaɪn/ — carmim; vermelho-carmim. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy. Return to Original English Version

casks /kɑːsks/ — barris. The father of one of the families was in the habit of balancing the father of another of the families on the top of a great pole; the father of a third family often made a pyramid of both those fathers, with Master Kidderminster for the apex, and himself for the base; all the fathers could dance upon rolling casks, stand upon bottles, catch knives and balls, twirl hand-basins, ride upon anything, jump over everything, and stick at nothing. Return to Original English Version

cautioned /ˈkɔːʃənd/ — advertiu. ‘Be sure you know your own mind, Jupe,’ Mr. Gradgrind cautioned her; ‘I say no more. Return to Original English Version

cavernous /ˈkævərnəs/ — cavernoso; muito amplo e escuro. ‘Whether,’ said Gradgrind, pondering with his hands in his pockets, and his cavernous eyes on the fire, ‘whether any instructor or servant can have suggested anything? Return to Original English Version

cellarage /ˈselərɪdʒ/ — conjunto de porões; espaço de adega. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s square wall of a forehead, which had his eyebrows for its base, while his eyes found commodious cellarage in two dark caves, overshadowed by the wall. Return to Original English Version

centaur /ˈsɛntɔːr/ — centauro. He was dressed in a Newmarket coat and tight-fitting trousers; wore a shawl round his neck; smelt of lamp-oil, straw, orange-peel, horses’ provender, and sawdust; and looked a most remarkable sort of Centaur, compounded of the stable and the play-house. Return to Original English Version

chalking /ˈtʃɔːkɪŋ/ — marcando com giz. The first object with which they had an association, or of which they had a remembrance, was a large black board with a dry Ogre chalking ghastly white figures on it. Return to Original English Version

chanced /tʃænst/ — aconteceu por acaso; calhou de. The square finger, moving here and there, lighted suddenly on Bitzer, perhaps because he chanced to sit in the same ray of sunlight which, darting in at one of the bare windows of the intensely white-washed room, irradiated Sissy. Return to Original English Version

chandler's /ˈtʃændlərz/ — do fornecedor de navios. ‘She kept a chandler’s shop,’ pursued Bounderby, ‘and kept me in an egg-box. Return to Original English Version

chariot /ˈtʃæriət/ — carruagem; biga. All the mothers could (and did) dance, upon the slack wire and the tight-rope, and perform rapid acts on bare-backed steeds; none of them were at all particular in respect of showing their legs; and one of them, alone in a Greek chariot, drove six in hand into every town they came to. Return to Original English Version

charles's /ˈtʃɑːrlzɪz/ — de Charles. No little Gradgrind had ever known wonder on the subject, each little Gradgrind having at five years old dissected the Great Bear like a Professor Owen, and driven Charles’s Wain like a locomotive engine-driver. Return to Original English Version

charta /ˈkɑːrtə/ — Carta (Magna). They made him out to be the Royal arms, the Union-Jack, Magna Charta, John Bull, Habeas Corpus, the Bill of Rights, An Englishman’s house is his castle, Church and State, and God save the Queen, all put together. Return to Original English Version

chaste /tʃeɪst/ — casto; puro; recatado. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

cheeking /ˈtʃiːkɪŋ/ — respondendo com insolência. ‘What does he come here cheeking us for, then?’ cried Master Kidderminster, showing a very irascible temperament. Return to Original English Version

chiefly /ˈtʃiːfli/ — principalmente; sobretudo. Lady Scadgers (an immensely fat old woman, with an inordinate appetite for butcher’s meat, and a mysterious leg which had now refused to get out of bed for fourteen years) contrived the marriage, at a period when Sparsit was just of age, and chiefly noticeable for a slender body, weakly supported on two long slim props, and surmounted by no head worth mentioning. Return to Original English Version

childishness /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃnəs/ — infantilidade; puerilidade. Yet there was a remarkable gentleness and childishness about these people, a special inaptitude for any kind of sharp practice, and an untiring readiness to help and pity one another, deserving often of as much respect, and always of as much generous construction, as the every-day virtues of any class of people in the world. Return to Original English Version

chilled /tʃɪld/ — gelado; enregelado; resfriado. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and levelling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. Return to Original English Version

ciphering /ˈsaɪfərɪŋ/ — cálculo aritmético; cifrando. He has been picking up a bit of reading for her, here - and a bit of writing for her, there - and a bit of ciphering for her, somewhere else - these seven years.’ Return to Original English Version

clamps /klæmps/ — grampos; braçadeiras; aperta. Iron clamps and girders, fire-proof from top to bottom; mechanical lifts for the housemaids, with all their brushes and brooms; everything that heart could desire. Return to Original English Version

clashing /ˈklæʃɪŋ/ — chocando-se; choque ou ruído metálico. The clashing and banging band attached to the horse-riding establishment, which had there set up its rest in a wooden pavilion, was in full bray. Return to Original English Version

clothed /kloʊðd/ — vestido; coberto. Being left to saunter in the hall a minute or two while Mr. Gradgrind went up-stairs for the address, he opened the door of the children’s study and looked into that serene floor-clothed apartment, which, notwithstanding its book-cases and its cabinets and its variety of learned and philosophical appliances, had much of the genial aspect of a room devoted to hair-cutting. Return to Original English Version

coarse /kɔːrs/ — áspero; grosseiro. A man made out of a coarse material, which seemed to have been stretched to make so much of him. Return to Original English Version

cogent /ˈkoʊdʒənt/ — convincente; convincente e bem fundamentado. Mr. Gradgrind did not seem favourably impressed by these cogent remarks. Return to Original English Version

coketowner /ˈkoʊktaʊnər/ — habitante de Coketown. Whatsoever the public meeting held in Coketown, and whatsoever the subject of such meeting, some Coketowner was sure to seize the occasion of alluding to his eminently practical friend Gradgrind. Return to Original English Version

colourless /ˈkʌlərləs/ — incolor; sem cor; sem vida. The question was unexpectedly and suddenly answered for her, by the colourless boy, Bitzer, who came round the corner with such blind speed and so little anticipating a stoppage on the pavement, that he brought himself up against Mr. Gradgrind’s waistcoat and rebounded into the road. Return to Original English Version

comedietta /kəˌmiːdiˈɛtə/ — comedieta; pequena comédia. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

comers /ˈkʌmərz/ — pessoas que chegam; recém-chegados. I couldn’t altogether make out why, myself, as we were not stationary here, being but comers and goers anywhere. Return to Original English Version

commodious /kəˈmoʊdiəs/ — amplo e cômodo. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s square wall of a forehead, which had his eyebrows for its base, while his eyes found commodious cellarage in two dark caves, overshadowed by the wall. Return to Original English Version

commonest /ˈkɒmənɪst/ — o mais comum; o mais vulgar. ‘Girl number twenty possessed of no facts, in reference to one of the commonest of animals! Return to Original English Version

companionship /kəmˈpænjənʃɪp/ — companhia; companheirismo. ‘It’s tolerably clear to _me_,’ said Bounderby, ‘that the little puss can get small good out of such companionship.’ Return to Original English Version

companionth /kəmˈpænjənθ/ — companheiros. If you like, Thethilia, to be prentitht, you know the natur of the work and you know your companionth. Return to Original English Version

compounded /kəmˈpaʊndɪd/ — preparado; misturado (remédio). He was dressed in a Newmarket coat and tight-fitting trousers; wore a shawl round his neck; smelt of lamp-oil, straw, orange-peel, horses’ provender, and sawdust; and looked a most remarkable sort of Centaur, compounded of the stable and the play-house. Return to Original English Version

conchological /ˌkɑːŋkəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/ — relativo ao estudo de conchas. They had a little conchological cabinet, and a little metallurgical cabinet, and a little mineralogical cabinet; and the specimens were all arranged and labelled, and the bits of stone and ore looked as though they might have been broken from the parent substances by those tremendously hard instruments their own names; and, to paraphrase the idle legend of Peter Piper, who had never found his way into their nursery, If the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped at more than this, what was it for good gracious goodness’ sake, that the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped it! Return to Original English Version

conciliate /kənˈsɪlieɪt/ — conciliar; granjear a simpatia de. From the first he had sought to conciliate that gentleman, for the sake of the deserted girl. Return to Original English Version

conciliatory /kənˈsɪliətɔːri/ — conciliador; apaziguador. ‘I hope, Bounderby,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, in a conciliatory voice, ‘that this was merely an oversight.’ Return to Original English Version

congratulating /kənˈɡrætʃuleɪtɪŋ/ — parabenizando; felicitando. Opening his arms wide he took her by both her hands, and would have sprung her up and down, after the riding-master manner of congratulating young ladies on their dismounting from a rapid act; but there was no rebound in Sissy, and she only stood before him crying. Return to Original English Version

congregated /ˈkɑːŋɡrɪɡeɪtɪd/ — reuniu-se; congregou-se. But, the turning of the road took him by the back of the booth, and at the back of the booth a number of children were congregated in a number of stealthy attitudes, striving to peep in at the hidden glories of the place. Return to Original English Version

connivance /kəˈnaɪvəns/ — conivência; cumplicidade tácita. Still, if her father really has left her, without any connivance on her part - Bounderby, let me have a word with you.’ Return to Original English Version

consigning /kənˈsaɪnɪŋ/ — consignando; destinando. Thomas Gradgrind took no heed of these trivialities of course, but passed on as a practical man ought to pass on, either brushing the noisy insects from his thoughts, or consigning them to the House of Correction. Return to Original English Version

conthider /kənˈθɪdər/ — considerar. I’ve got my living out of the horthe-riding all my life, I know; but I conthider that I lay down the philothophy of the thubject when I thay to you, Thquire, make the betht of uth: not the wurtht!’ Return to Original English Version

contradict /ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkt/ — contradizer. ‘The girl wanted to come to the school, and Mr. Gradgrind wanted girls to come to the school, and Louisa and Thomas both said that the girl wanted to come, and that Mr. Gradgrind wanted girls to come, and how was it possible to contradict them when such was the fact!’ Return to Original English Version

contradiction /ˌkɒntrəˈdɪkʃən/ — contradição. You are not to have, in any object of use or ornament, what would be a contradiction in fact. Return to Original English Version

contrived /kənˈtraɪvd/ — deu um jeito de; forjado; artificioso. Lady Scadgers (an immensely fat old woman, with an inordinate appetite for butcher’s meat, and a mysterious leg which had now refused to get out of bed for fourteen years) contrived the marriage, at a period when Sparsit was just of age, and chiefly noticeable for a slender body, weakly supported on two long slim props, and surmounted by no head worth mentioning. Return to Original English Version

convulsions /kənˈvʌlʃənz/ — convulsões; abalos violentos. That there was any Fancy in them demanding to be brought into healthy existence instead of struggling on in convulsions? Return to Original English Version

conwenienth /kənˈviːnjənθ/ — conveniente. I with your father hadn’t taken hith dog with him; ith a ill-conwenienth to have the dog out of the billth. Return to Original English Version

coriolanian /ˌkɔːriəˈleɪniən/ — coriolaniano; semelhante a Coriolano. And here she was now, in her elderly days, with the Coriolanian style of nose and the dense black eyebrows which had captivated Sparsit, making Mr. Bounderby’s tea as he took his breakfast. Return to Original English Version

corpulent /ˈkɔːrpjələnt/ — corpulento; obeso. One corpulent slow boy, with a wheezy manner of breathing, ventured the answer, Because he wouldn’t paper a room at all, but would paint it. Return to Original English Version

cosmography /kɑːzˈmɑːɡrəfi/ — cosmografia. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and levelling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. Return to Original English Version

cot /kɑːt/ — catre; cama estreita. That was the cot of _my_ infancy; an old egg-box. Return to Original English Version

council's /ˈkaʊnsəlz/ — do conselho. He had worked his stony way into Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council’s Schedule B, and had taken the bloom off the higher branches of mathematics and physical science, French, German, Latin, and Greek. Return to Original English Version

countenance /ˈkaʊntənəns/ — semblante; rosto; compostura. ‘You are quite another father to Louisa, sir.’ Mrs. Sparsit took a little more tea; and, as she bent her again contracted eyebrows over her steaming cup, rather looked as if her classical countenance were invoking the infernal gods. Return to Original English Version

coursed /kɔːrst/ — correu (sangue, lágrimas). They had been lectured at, from their tenderest years; coursed, like little hares. Return to Original English Version

cramming /ˈkræmɪŋ/ — estudando intensivamente. ‘I’m not going to take him at once; he is to finish his educational cramming before then,’ said Bounderby. Return to Original English Version

creditable /ˈkredɪtəbəl/ — digno de crédito; honroso. ‘It is creditable to you, who have never been apprenticed, to express that opinion,’ returned Mr. Gradgrind, approvingly. Return to Original English Version

crept /krɛpt/ — esgueirou-se; foi de mansinho. ‘And yet, Bounderby, it would appear from this unexpected circumstance of to-day, though in itself a trifling one, as if something had crept into Thomas’s and Louisa’s minds which is - or rather, which is not - I don’t know that I can express myself better than by saying - which has never been intended to be developed, and in which their reason has no part.’ Return to Original English Version

cripple /ˈkrɪpəl/ — aleijar; estropiar. Josiah Bounderby of Coketown learnt his letters from the outsides of the shops, Mrs. Gradgrind, and was first able to tell the time upon a dial-plate, from studying the steeple clock of St. Giles’s Church, London, under the direction of a drunken cripple, who was a convicted thief, and an incorrigible vagrant. Return to Original English Version

crockery /ˈkrɑːkəri/ — louça; utensílios de cerâmica. You don’t find that foreign birds and butterflies come and perch upon your crockery; you cannot be permitted to paint foreign birds and butterflies upon your crockery. Return to Original English Version

cropped /krɑːpt/ — cortado rente. His short-cropped hair might have been a mere continuation of the sandy freckles on his forehead and face. Return to Original English Version

croth /krɒθ/ — bravo, irritado. But if, when you’re grown up and married and well off, you come upon any horthe-riding ever, don’t be hard upon it, don’t be croth with it, give it a Bethpeak if you can, and think you might do wurth. Return to Original English Version

crumpled /ˈkrʌmpəld/ — amassado; enrugado; desabou. No little Gradgrind had ever associated a cow in a field with that famous cow with the crumpled horn who tossed the dog who worried the cat who killed the rat who ate the malt, or with that yet more famous cow who swallowed Tom Thumb: it had never heard of those celebrities, and had only been introduced to a cow as a graminivorous ruminating quadruped with several stomachs. Return to Original English Version

culmination /ˌkʌlmɪˈneɪʃən/ — culminação; ponto alto. Those are the antecedents, and the culmination. Return to Original English Version

culprits /ˈkʌlprɪts/ — culpados. He stopped just as his eminently practical friend, still accompanied by the two young culprits, entered the room. Return to Original English Version

curls /kɜːrlz/ — cachos; anéis de cabelo; espirais. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy. Return to Original English Version

curtseyed /ˈkɜːrtsid/ — fez uma reverência. She curtseyed again, and would have blushed deeper, if she could have blushed deeper than she had blushed all this time. Return to Original English Version

curtseying /ˈkɜːrtsiɪŋ/ — fazendo uma reverência. ‘Sissy Jupe, sir,’ explained number twenty, blushing, standing up, and curtseying. Return to Original English Version

cutaway /ˈkʌtəweɪ/ — fraque; casaca de abas cortadas. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy. Return to Original English Version

darkening /ˈdɑːrkənɪŋ/ — escurecendo; ficando sombrio. A great square house, with a heavy portico darkening the principal windows, as its master’s heavy brows overshadowed his eyes. Return to Original English Version

darting /ˈdɑːrtɪŋ/ — disparando; lançando; movendo-se rapidamente. The square finger, moving here and there, lighted suddenly on Bitzer, perhaps because he chanced to sit in the same ray of sunlight which, darting in at one of the bare windows of the intensely white-washed room, irradiated Sissy. Return to Original English Version

debtors /ˈdetərz/ — devedores. The better class of minds, however, did not need to be informed that the Powlers were an ancient stock, who could trace themselves so exceedingly far back that it was not surprising if they sometimes lost themselves - which they had rather frequently done, as respected horse-flesh, blind-hookey, Hebrew monetary transactions, and the Insolvent Debtors’ Court. Return to Original English Version

decease /dɪˈsiːs/ — falecimento. Thus, when he died, at twenty-four (the scene of his decease, Calais, and the cause, brandy), he did not leave his widow, from whom he had been separated soon after the honeymoon, in affluent circumstances. Return to Original English Version

deferential /ˌdɛfəˈrɛnʃəl/ — deferente; respeitoso. But towards that lady, I do care what you do; and you shall do what is deferential and respectful, or you shall not come here.’ Return to Original English Version

deficient /dɪˈfɪʃənt/ — deficiente; insuficiente. His skin was so unwholesomely deficient in the natural tinge, that he looked as though, if he were cut, he would bleed white. Return to Original English Version

defrauded /dɪˈfrɔːdɪd/ — defraudado. Indeed?’ said Mr. Gradgrind, rather resentfully, as having been defrauded of his good opinion. Return to Original English Version

degeneracy /dɪˈdʒenərəsi/ — degeneração; decadência moral. They cared so little for plain Fact, these people, and were in that advanced state of degeneracy on the subject, that instead of being impressed by the speaker’s strong common sense, they took it in extraordinary dudgeon. Return to Original English Version

degraded /dɪˈɡreɪdɪd/ — degradado. ‘In this degraded position! Return to Original English Version

delinquents /dɪˈlɪŋkwənts/ — infratores. ‘What,’ he repeated presently, ‘would Mr. Bounderby say?’ All the way to Stone Lodge, as with grave indignation he led the two delinquents home, he repeated at intervals ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ - as if Mr. Bounderby had been Mrs. Grundy. Return to Original English Version

denominations /dɪˌnɑːmɪˈneɪʃənz/ — valores (de notas). First, the perplexing mystery of the place was, Who belonged to the eighteen denominations? Return to Original English Version

dens /denz/ — covis; antros. I only use the word to express a monster in a lecturing castle, with Heaven knows how many heads manipulated into one, taking childhood captive, and dragging it into gloomy statistical dens by the hair. Return to Original English Version

deplorable /dɪˈplɔːrəbəl/ — deplorável; lamentável. And when she saw them all assembled, and saw their looks, and saw no father there, she broke into a most deplorable cry, and took refuge on the bosom of the most accomplished tight-rope lady (herself in the family-way), who knelt down on the floor to nurse her, and to weep over her. Return to Original English Version

depreciate /dɪˈpriːʃieɪt/ — desvalorizar; depreciar. Just as it belonged to his boastfulness to depreciate his own extraction, so it belonged to it to exalt Mrs. Sparsit’s. Return to Original English Version

deuce /duːs/ — diabo; diacho. ‘Her father always had it in his head,’ resumed Childers, feigning unconsciousness of Mr. Bounderby’s existence, ‘that she was to be taught the deuce-and-all of education. Return to Original English Version

devilish /ˈdevəlɪʃ/ — diabólico; endiabrado. This is devilish good! Return to Original English Version

devoid /dɪˈvɔɪd/ — desprovido; totalmente sem. Why, Mr. Bounderby was as near being Mr. Gradgrind’s bosom friend, as a man perfectly devoid of sentiment can approach that spiritual relationship towards another man perfectly devoid of sentiment. Return to Original English Version

dictatorial /ˌdɪktəˈtɔːriəl/ — ditatorial. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s voice, which was inflexible, dry, and dictatorial. Return to Original English Version

diminutive /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/ — diminuto. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Return to Original English Version

dingy /ˈdɪndʒi/ — encardido; sujo e desbotado. Framed and glazed upon the wall behind the dingy little bar, was another Pegasus - a theatrical one - with real gauze let in for his wings, golden stars stuck on all over him, and his ethereal harness made of red silk. Return to Original English Version

discard /dɪsˈkɑːrd/ — descartar. You must discard the word Fancy altogether. Return to Original English Version

disconcerted /ˌdɪskənˈsɜːrtɪd/ — desconcertado; sem jeito. Both rose, red and disconcerted. Return to Original English Version

dismal /ˈdɪzməl/ — sombrio; desolador. ‘I’ll explain to you, then,’ said the gentleman, after another and a dismal pause, ‘why you wouldn’t paper a room with representations of horses. Return to Original English Version

dismounting /dɪsˈmaʊntɪŋ/ — desmontando do cavalo. Opening his arms wide he took her by both her hands, and would have sprung her up and down, after the riding-master manner of congratulating young ladies on their dismounting from a rapid act; but there was no rebound in Sissy, and she only stood before him crying. Return to Original English Version

disordered /dɪsˈɔːrdərd/ — desordenado; perturbado. The basket packed in silence, they brought her bonnet to her, and smoothed her disordered hair, and put it on. Return to Original English Version

dissected /daɪˈsɛktɪd/ — dissecou; analisou minuciosamente. No little Gradgrind had ever known wonder on the subject, each little Gradgrind having at five years old dissected the Great Bear like a Professor Owen, and driven Charles’s Wain like a locomotive engine-driver. Return to Original English Version

distort /dɪˈstɔːrt/ — distorcer; deformar. When from thy boiling store, thou shalt fill each jar brim full by-and-by, dost thou think that thou wilt always kill outright the robber Fancy lurking within - or sometimes only maim him and distort him! Return to Original English Version

diverting /daɪˈvɜːrtɪŋ/ — divertido; desviando. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

dost /dʌst/ — fazes. When from thy boiling store, thou shalt fill each jar brim full by-and-by, dost thou think that thou wilt always kill outright the robber Fancy lurking within - or sometimes only maim him and distort him! Return to Original English Version

dote /dəʊt/ — adorar; ser extremamente afeiçoado. Because, up to this time, he seemed to dote upon her,’ said Childers, taking a step or two to look into the empty trunk. Return to Original English Version

doth /dʌθ/ — faz. What doth your friend thay? Return to Original English Version

druggist /ˈdrʌɡɪst/ — farmacêutico; droguista. Then came the chemist and druggist, with other tabular statements, showing that when they didn’t get drunk, they took opium. Return to Original English Version

drunkards /ˈdrʌŋkərdz/ — bêbados. As haggard and as shabby, as if, for want of custom, it had itself taken to drinking, and had gone the way all drunkards go, and was very near the end of it. Return to Original English Version

dudgeon /ˈdʌdʒən/ — indignação. They cared so little for plain Fact, these people, and were in that advanced state of degeneracy on the subject, that instead of being impressed by the speaker’s strong common sense, they took it in extraordinary dudgeon. Return to Original English Version

dumps /dʌmps/ — despeja; abatimento (in the dumps). What is young Thomas in the dumps about?’ Return to Original English Version

dusky /ˈdʌski/ — escuro; sombrio. As it had grown too dusky without, to see the sign, and as it had not grown light enough within to see the picture, Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby received no offence from these idealities. Return to Original English Version

eathy /ˈiːθi/ — fácil. My voithe ith a little huthky, Thquire, and not eathy heard by them ath don’t know me; but if you’d been chilled and heated, heated and chilled, chilled and heated in the ring when you wath young, ath often ath I have been, _your_ voithe wouldn’t have lathted out, Thquire, no more than mine.’ Return to Original English Version

ecclesiastical /ɪˌkliːziˈæstɪkəl/ — eclesiástico; da Igreja. Sleary himself, a stout modern statue with a money-box at its elbow, in an ecclesiastical niche of early Gothic architecture, took the money. Return to Original English Version

edifice /ˈedɪfɪs/ — edifício imponente; construção. The solitary exception was the New Church; a stuccoed edifice with a square steeple over the door, terminating in four short pinnacles like florid wooden legs. Return to Original English Version

egad /ɪˈɡæd/ — puxa!; céus!. ‘Egad, ma’am, so was I,’ said Bounderby, ‘ - with the wrong side of it. Return to Original English Version

ejaculated /ɪˈdʒækjəleɪtɪd/ — exclamou de repente; bradou. ‘Nine oils, Merrylegs, missing tips, garters, banners, and Ponging, eh!’ ejaculated Bounderby, with his laugh of laughs. Return to Original English Version

elated /ɪˈleɪtɪd/ — exultante; radiante. But you mustn’t fancy,’ cried the gentleman, quite elated by coming so happily to his point. Return to Original English Version

elegancies /ˈɛlɪɡənsiz/ — requintes. These attributes of Coketown were in the main inseparable from the work by which it was sustained; against them were to be set off, comforts of life which found their way all over the world, and elegancies of life which made, we will not ask how much of the fine lady, who could scarcely bear to hear the place mentioned. Return to Original English Version

elicited /ɪˈlɪsɪtɪd/ — suscitou; arrancou (resposta). Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

elucidate /ɪˈluːsɪdeɪt/ — esclarecer; explicar. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

embellished /ɪmˈbelɪʃt/ — embelezado; ornamentado. The white night-cap, embellished with two peacock’s feathers and a pigtail bolt upright, in which Signor Jupe had that very afternoon enlivened the varied performances with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts, hung upon a nail; but no other portion of his wardrobe, or other token of himself or his pursuits, was to be seen anywhere. Return to Original English Version

endeavouring /ɪnˈdevərɪŋ/ — esforçando-se; procurando. ‘Why, ma’am,’ he returned, ‘I am thinking about Tom Gradgrind’s whim;’ Tom Gradgrind, for a bluff independent manner of speaking - as if somebody were always endeavouring to bribe him with immense sums to say Thomas, and he wouldn’t; ‘Tom Gradgrind’s whim, ma’am, of bringing up the tumbling-girl.’ Return to Original English Version

englishman's /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmənz/ — do inglês. They made him out to be the Royal arms, the Union-Jack, Magna Charta, John Bull, Habeas Corpus, the Bill of Rights, An Englishman’s house is his castle, Church and State, and God save the Queen, all put together. Return to Original English Version

enliven /ɪnˈlaɪvən/ — animar; avivar. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

enlivened /ɪnˈlaɪvənd/ — animou; tornou mais alegre. The white night-cap, embellished with two peacock’s feathers and a pigtail bolt upright, in which Signor Jupe had that very afternoon enlivened the varied performances with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts, hung upon a nail; but no other portion of his wardrobe, or other token of himself or his pursuits, was to be seen anywhere. Return to Original English Version

entertainments /ˌentərˈteɪnmənts/ — espetáculos; diversões. Miss Josephine Sleary, as some very long and very narrow strips of printed bill announced, was then inaugurating the entertainments with her graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act. Return to Original English Version

equestrian /ɪˈkwestriən/ — equestre. Miss Josephine Sleary, as some very long and very narrow strips of printed bill announced, was then inaugurating the entertainments with her graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act. Return to Original English Version

erring /ˈerɪŋ/ — transviado; que erra. Dumb with amazement, Mr. Gradgrind crossed to the spot where his family was thus disgraced, laid his hand upon each erring child, and said: Return to Original English Version

eternally /ɪˈtɜːrnəli/ — eternamente; sem parar. Then came Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby, the two gentlemen at this present moment walking through Coketown, and both eminently practical, who could, on occasion, furnish more tabular statements derived from their own personal experience, and illustrated by cases they had known and seen, from which it clearly appeared - in short, it was the only clear thing in the case - that these same people were a bad lot altogether, gentlemen; that do what you would for them they were never thankful for it, gentlemen; that they were restless, gentlemen; that they never knew what they wanted; that they lived upon the best, and bought fresh butter; and insisted on Mocha coffee, and rejected all but prime parts of meat, and yet were eternally dissatisfied and unmanageable. Return to Original English Version

ethereal /ɪˈθɪəriəl/ — etéreo; delicado. Framed and glazed upon the wall behind the dingy little bar, was another Pegasus - a theatrical one - with real gauze let in for his wings, golden stars stuck on all over him, and his ethereal harness made of red silk. Return to Original English Version

etymology /ˌetɪˈmɒlədʒi/ — etimologia. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and levelling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. Return to Original English Version

exacting /ɪɡˈzæktɪŋ/ — exigente; exigindo. Rather young for that, is he not, sir?’ Mrs. Sparsit’s ‘sir,’ in addressing Mr. Bounderby, was a word of ceremony, rather exacting consideration for herself in the use, than honouring him. Return to Original English Version

exalt /ɪɡˈzɔːlt/ — exaltar; elevar. Just as it belonged to his boastfulness to depreciate his own extraction, so it belonged to it to exalt Mrs. Sparsit’s. Return to Original English Version

exasperating /ɪɡˈzɑːspəreɪtɪŋ/ — exasperante; irritante. It was one of the most exasperating attributes of Bounderby, that he not only sang his own praises but stimulated other men to sing them. Return to Original English Version

exceedingly /ɪkˈsiːdɪŋli/ — extremamente; sobremaneira. The better class of minds, however, did not need to be informed that the Powlers were an ancient stock, who could trace themselves so exceedingly far back that it was not surprising if they sometimes lost themselves - which they had rather frequently done, as respected horse-flesh, blind-hookey, Hebrew monetary transactions, and the Insolvent Debtors’ Court. Return to Original English Version

excepted /ɪkˈseptɪd/ — excetuado; à exceção de. But she had to take her farewell of the male part of the company yet, and every one of them had to unfold his arms (for they all assumed the professional attitude when they found themselves near Sleary), and give her a parting kiss - Master Kidderminster excepted, in whose young nature there was an original flavour of the misanthrope, who was also known to have harboured matrimonial views, and who moodily withdrew. Return to Original English Version

Original Text: Rare Words (2/4)

exclaimed /ɪkˈskleɪmd/ — exclamaram; gritaram. There was another silence; and then she exclaimed, sobbing with her hands before her face, ‘Oh, give me my clothes, give me my clothes, and let me go away before I break my heart!’ Return to Original English Version

excusing /ɪkˈskjuːzɪŋ/ — desculpando; dispensando. Sissy, who all this time had been faintly excusing herself with tears in her eyes, was now waved over by the master of the house to Mr. Gradgrind. Return to Original English Version

expressive /ɪkˈspresɪv/ — expressivo. Here his daughter Josephine - a pretty fair-haired girl of eighteen, who had been tied on a horse at two years old, and had made a will at twelve, which she always carried about with her, expressive of her dying desire to be drawn to the grave by the two piebald ponies - cried, ‘Father, hush! she has come back!’ Then came Sissy Jupe, running into the room as she had run out of it. Return to Original English Version

eyeing /ˈaɪɪŋ/ — observando; fitando; medindo com os olhos. ‘What does this unmannerly boy mean,’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, eyeing him in a sort of desperation, ‘by Tight-Jeff?’ Return to Original English Version

fable /ˈfeɪbəl/ — fábula. In short, it was the moral of the old nursery fable: Return to Original English Version

faintly /ˈfeɪntli/ — vagamente; de leve. Mrs. Gradgrind faintly looked at the tongs, as the most appropriate thing her imbecility could think of doing. Return to Original English Version

fancied /ˈfænsid/ — imaginou. One might have fancied he had talked it off; and that what was left, all standing up in disorder, was in that condition from being constantly blown about by his windy boastfulness. Return to Original English Version

favourably /ˈfeɪvərəbli/ — favoravelmente; com aprovação. Mr. Gradgrind did not seem favourably impressed by these cogent remarks. Return to Original English Version

feeble /ˈfiːbəl/ — fraco; débil. Only a few feeble stragglers said Yes: among them Sissy Jupe. Return to Original English Version

feebleness /ˈfiːbəlnəs/ — fraqueza; debilidade. Mrs. Gradgrind, a little, thin, white, pink-eyed bundle of shawls, of surpassing feebleness, mental and bodily; who was always taking physic without any effect, and who, whenever she showed a symptom of coming to life, was invariably stunned by some weighty piece of fact tumbling on her; Mrs. Gradgrind hoped it was a dry ditch? Return to Original English Version

feigning /ˈfeɪnɪŋ/ — fingindo; simulando. ‘Her father always had it in his head,’ resumed Childers, feigning unconsciousness of Mr. Bounderby’s existence, ‘that she was to be taught the deuce-and-all of education. Return to Original English Version

firs /fɜːrz/ — abetos. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s hair, which bristled on the skirts of his bald head, a plantation of firs to keep the wind from its shining surface, all covered with knobs, like the crust of a plum pie, as if the head had scarcely warehouse-room for the hard facts stored inside. Return to Original English Version

fisted /ˈfɪstɪd/ — de mão fechada; sovina. Tell Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, of your district schools and your model schools, and your training schools, and your whole kettle-of-fish of schools; and Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, tells you plainly, all right, all correct - he hadn’t such advantages - but let us have hard-headed, solid-fisted people - the education that made him won’t do for everybody, he knows well - such and such his education was, however, and you may force him to swallow boiling fat, but you shall never force him to suppress the facts of his life.’ Return to Original English Version

fistic /ˈfɪstɪk/ — pugilístico. To continue in fistic phraseology, he had a genius for coming up to the scratch, wherever and whatever it was, and proving himself an ugly customer. Return to Original English Version

flabby /ˈflæbi/ — flácido. Last of all appeared Mr. Sleary: a stout man as already mentioned, with one fixed eye, and one loose eye, a voice (if it can be called so) like the efforts of a broken old pair of bellows, a flabby surface, and a muddled head which was never sober and never drunk. Return to Original English Version

florid /ˈflɔːrɪd/ — rebuscado; avermelhado. The solitary exception was the New Church; a stuccoed edifice with a square steeple over the door, terminating in four short pinnacles like florid wooden legs. Return to Original English Version

folkth /foʊks/ — gente; pessoas. ‘You’ll make your fortun, I hope, and none of our poor folkth will ever trouble you, I’ll pound it. Return to Original English Version

folly /ˈfɑːli/ — tolice; insensatez. ‘In the name of wonder, idleness, and folly!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, leading each away by a hand; ‘what do you do here?’ Return to Original English Version

fondle /ˈfɑːndəl/ — acariciar. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Return to Original English Version

forefinger /ˈfɔːrfɪŋɡər/ — dedo indicador. The scene was a plain, bare, monotonous vault of a school-room, and the speaker’s square forefinger emphasized his observations by underscoring every sentence with a line on the schoolmaster’s sleeve. Return to Original English Version

forego /fɔːrˈɡoʊ/ — abrir mão de; renunciar a. Then came the Teetotal Society, who complained that these same people _would_ get drunk, and showed in tabular statements that they did get drunk, and proved at tea parties that no inducement, human or Divine (except a medal), would induce them to forego their custom of getting drunk. Return to Original English Version

fortun /ˈfɔːrtʃən/ — fortuna. ‘You’ll make your fortun, I hope, and none of our poor folkth will ever trouble you, I’ll pound it. Return to Original English Version

freckles /ˈfreklz/ — sardas. His short-cropped hair might have been a mere continuation of the sandy freckles on his forehead and face. Return to Original English Version

furnish /ˈfɜːrnɪʃ/ — fornecer; mobiliar; prover. Then came Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby, the two gentlemen at this present moment walking through Coketown, and both eminently practical, who could, on occasion, furnish more tabular statements derived from their own personal experience, and illustrated by cases they had known and seen, from which it clearly appeared - in short, it was the only clear thing in the case - that these same people were a bad lot altogether, gentlemen; that do what you would for them they were never thankful for it, gentlemen; that they were restless, gentlemen; that they never knew what they wanted; that they lived upon the best, and bought fresh butter; and insisted on Mocha coffee, and rejected all but prime parts of meat, and yet were eternally dissatisfied and unmanageable. Return to Original English Version

galvanizing /ˈɡælvənaɪzɪŋ/ — galvânico; estimulante. He seemed a galvanizing apparatus, too, charged with a grim mechanical substitute for the tender young imaginations that were to be stormed away. Return to Original English Version

gazing /ˈɡeɪzɪŋ/ — contemplando; olhando fixamente. It was very strange to walk through the streets on a Sunday morning, and note how few of _them_ the barbarous jangling of bells that was driving the sick and nervous mad, called away from their own quarter, from their own close rooms, from the corners of their own streets, where they lounged listlessly, gazing at all the church and chapel going, as at a thing with which they had no manner of concern. Return to Original English Version

genial /ˈdʒiːniəl/ — afável; jovial; ameno. Being left to saunter in the hall a minute or two while Mr. Gradgrind went up-stairs for the address, he opened the door of the children’s study and looked into that serene floor-clothed apartment, which, notwithstanding its book-cases and its cabinets and its variety of learned and philosophical appliances, had much of the genial aspect of a room devoted to hair-cutting. Return to Original English Version

ghastly /ˈɡæstli/ — cadavérico. The first object with which they had an association, or of which they had a remembrance, was a large black board with a dry Ogre chalking ghastly white figures on it. Return to Original English Version

girders /ˈɡɜːrdərz/ — vigas estruturais. Iron clamps and girders, fire-proof from top to bottom; mechanical lifts for the housemaids, with all their brushes and brooms; everything that heart could desire. Return to Original English Version

glancing /ˈɡlænsɪŋ/ — olhando rapidamente. ‘By your leaves, gentlemen,’ said Mr. E. W. B. Childers, glancing round the room. Return to Original English Version

glath /ɡlɑːθ/ — copo. If you haven’t took your feed yet, have a glath of bitterth.’ Return to Original English Version

glazed /ɡleɪzd/ — esmaltado; vitrificado. Framed and glazed upon the wall behind the dingy little bar, was another Pegasus - a theatrical one - with real gauze let in for his wings, golden stars stuck on all over him, and his ethereal harness made of red silk. Return to Original English Version

gloomy /ˈɡluːmi/ — sombrio; escuro; lúgubre. I only use the word to express a monster in a lecturing castle, with Heaven knows how many heads manipulated into one, taking childhood captive, and dragging it into gloomy statistical dens by the hair. Return to Original English Version

glories /ˈɡlɔːriz/ — glórias; esplendores. But, the turning of the road took him by the back of the booth, and at the back of the booth a number of children were congregated in a number of stealthy attitudes, striving to peep in at the hidden glories of the place. Return to Original English Version

godsend /ˈɡɒdsɛnd/ — dádiva; ajuda providencial. At the time when, to have been a tumbler in the mud of the streets, would have been a godsend to me, a prize in the lottery to me, you were at the Italian Opera. Return to Original English Version

goers /ˈɡoʊərz/ — pessoas que vão; frequentadores. I couldn’t altogether make out why, myself, as we were not stationary here, being but comers and goers anywhere. Return to Original English Version

goosed /ɡuːst/ — vaiado. He was goosed last night, he was goosed the night before last, he was goosed to-day. Return to Original English Version

graces /ˈɡreɪsɪz/ — encantos; qualidades agradáveis. The jail might have been the infirmary, the infirmary might have been the jail, the town-hall might have been either, or both, or anything else, for anything that appeared to the contrary in the graces of their construction. Return to Original English Version

graminivorous /ˌɡræmɪˈnɪvərəs/ — graminívoro. Graminivorous. Return to Original English Version

grasped /ɡræst/ — compreendeu. They had a little conchological cabinet, and a little metallurgical cabinet, and a little mineralogical cabinet; and the specimens were all arranged and labelled, and the bits of stone and ore looked as though they might have been broken from the parent substances by those tremendously hard instruments their own names; and, to paraphrase the idle legend of Peter Piper, who had never found his way into their nursery, If the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped at more than this, what was it for good gracious goodness’ sake, that the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped it! Return to Original English Version

gravely /ˈɡreɪvli/ — gravemente; seriamente. I will hear no more.’ He did not speak again until they had walked some half-a-mile in silence, when he gravely broke out with: ‘What would your best friends say, Louisa? Return to Original English Version

grinders /ˈɡraɪndərz/ — moedores; dentes molares. Forty teeth, namely twenty-four grinders, four eye-teeth, and twelve incisive. Return to Original English Version

groaning /ˈɡroʊnɪŋ/ — gemendo. I was so sickly, that I was always moaning and groaning. Return to Original English Version

groping /ˈɡroʊpɪŋ/ — tateando; procurando às cegas. Not with the brightness natural to cheerful youth, but with uncertain, eager, doubtful flashes, which had something painful in them, analogous to the changes on a blind face groping its way. Return to Original English Version

gruff /ɡrʌf/ — ríspido; áspero. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy. Return to Original English Version

habeas /ˈheɪbiəs/ — Habeas Corpus. They made him out to be the Royal arms, the Union-Jack, Magna Charta, John Bull, Habeas Corpus, the Bill of Rights, An Englishman’s house is his castle, Church and State, and God save the Queen, all put together. Return to Original English Version

habitually /həˈbɪtʃuəli/ — habitualmente; por hábito. If Bounderby had been a Conqueror, and Mrs. Sparsit a captive Princess whom he took about as a feature in his state-processions, he could not have made a greater flourish with her than he habitually did. Return to Original English Version

haggard /ˈhæɡərd/ — abatido; exausto. As haggard and as shabby, as if, for want of custom, it had itself taken to drinking, and had gone the way all drunkards go, and was very near the end of it. Return to Original English Version

halloa /həˈloʊ/ — olá!; ei!. ‘Halloa!’ said he. Return to Original English Version

harboured /ˈhɑːrbərd/ — acolheu; nutriu (grafia britânica). But she had to take her farewell of the male part of the company yet, and every one of them had to unfold his arms (for they all assumed the professional attitude when they found themselves near Sleary), and give her a parting kiss - Master Kidderminster excepted, in whose young nature there was an original flavour of the misanthrope, who was also known to have harboured matrimonial views, and who moodily withdrew. Return to Original English Version

hares /hɛərz/ — lebres. They had been lectured at, from their tenderest years; coursed, like little hares. Return to Original English Version

haste /heɪst/ — pressa; urgência. The men muttered ‘Shame!’ and the women ‘Brute!’ and Sleary, in some haste, communicated the following hint, apart to Mr. Bounderby. Return to Original English Version

haughtily /ˈhɔːtɪli/ — altivamente; com arrogância. ‘We were peeping at the circus,’ muttered Louisa, haughtily, without lifting up her eyes, ‘and father caught us.’ Return to Original English Version

haunts /hɔːnts/ — lugares frequentados; assombra. Then came the experienced chaplain of the jail, with more tabular statements, outdoing all the previous tabular statements, and showing that the same people _would_ resort to low haunts, hidden from the public eye, where they heard low singing and saw low dancing, and mayhap joined in it; and where A. B., aged twenty-four next birthday, and committed for eighteen months’ solitary, had himself said (not that he had ever shown himself particularly worthy of belief) his ruin began, as he was perfectly sure and confident that otherwise he would have been a tip-top moral specimen. Return to Original English Version

hearthrug /ˈhɑːrθrʌɡ/ — tapete diante da lareira. In the formal drawing-room of Stone Lodge, standing on the hearthrug, warming himself before the fire, Mr. Bounderby delivered some observations to Mrs. Gradgrind on the circumstance of its being his birthday. Return to Original English Version

heed /hiːd/ — prestar atenção; levar em conta. Thomas Gradgrind took no heed of these trivialities of course, but passed on as a practical man ought to pass on, either brushing the noisy insects from his thoughts, or consigning them to the House of Correction. Return to Original English Version

hippo /ˈhɪpoʊ/ — hipopótamo. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

hith /hɪθ/ — dele/seu. You’ve heard of my Clown and hith dog being thuppothed to have morrithed?’ Return to Original English Version

homeward /ˈhoʊmwərd/ — em direção a casa; de regresso. MR. GRADGRIND walked homeward from the school, in a state of considerable satisfaction. Return to Original English Version

honourables /ˈɒnərəbəl/ — honoráveis; nobres titulados. I should speak of foreign dancers, and the West End of London, and May Fair, and lords and ladies and honourables.’ Return to Original English Version

honouring /ˈɑːnərɪŋ/ — honrando; distinguindo. Rather young for that, is he not, sir?’ Mrs. Sparsit’s ‘sir,’ in addressing Mr. Bounderby, was a word of ceremony, rather exacting consideration for herself in the use, than honouring him. Return to Original English Version

hoofs /hʊfs/ — cascos. Sheds coat in the spring; in marshy countries, sheds hoofs, too. Return to Original English Version

hookey /ˈhʊki/ — cabulação de aula. The better class of minds, however, did not need to be informed that the Powlers were an ancient stock, who could trace themselves so exceedingly far back that it was not surprising if they sometimes lost themselves - which they had rather frequently done, as respected horse-flesh, blind-hookey, Hebrew monetary transactions, and the Insolvent Debtors’ Court. Return to Original English Version

horsebreaker /ˈhɔːrsbreɪkər/ — domador de cavalos. Describe your father as a horsebreaker. Return to Original English Version

horthe /hɔːθ/ — cavalo. But what I thay, Thquire, ith, that good tempered or bad tempered, I never did a horthe a injury yet, no more than thwearing at him went, and that I don’t expect I thall begin otherwithe at my time of life, with a rider. Return to Original English Version

hospitable /hɒˈspɪtəbəl/ — hospitaleiro; acolhedor. Give it a name, Thquire!’ said Mr. Sleary, with hospitable ease. Return to Original English Version

housemaids /ˈhaʊsmeɪdz/ — empregadas domésticas. Iron clamps and girders, fire-proof from top to bottom; mechanical lifts for the housemaids, with all their brushes and brooms; everything that heart could desire. Return to Original English Version

houthe /haʊθ/ — casa. ‘You’re one of the thort, Thquire, that keepth a prethiouth thight of money out of the houthe. Return to Original English Version

humbug /ˈhʌmbʌɡ/ — impostor; farsante. There’s no family pride about me, there’s no imaginative sentimental humbug about me. Return to Original English Version

huntsmen /ˈhʌntsmən/ — caçadores. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Return to Original English Version

hush /hʌʃ/ — silêncio; quieto. Here his daughter Josephine - a pretty fair-haired girl of eighteen, who had been tied on a horse at two years old, and had made a will at twelve, which she always carried about with her, expressive of her dying desire to be drawn to the grave by the two piebald ponies - cried, ‘Father, hush! she has come back!’ Then came Sissy Jupe, running into the room as she had run out of it. Return to Original English Version

huthky /ˈhʌθki/ — rouca. My voithe ith a little huthky, Thquire, and not eathy heard by them ath don’t know me; but if you’d been chilled and heated, heated and chilled, chilled and heated in the ring when you wath young, ath often ath I have been, _your_ voithe wouldn’t have lathted out, Thquire, no more than mine.’ Return to Original English Version

idealities /ˌaɪdiˈæləti/ — idealidades; imagens ideais. As it had grown too dusky without, to see the sign, and as it had not grown light enough within to see the picture, Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby received no offence from these idealities. Return to Original English Version

imbecility /ˌɪmbəˈsɪləti/ — imbecilidade; fraqueza mental. Mrs. Gradgrind faintly looked at the tongs, as the most appropriate thing her imbecility could think of doing. Return to Original English Version

immaterial /ˌɪməˈtɪriəl/ — irrelevante; imaterial. Fact, fact, fact, everywhere in the material aspect of the town; fact, fact, fact, everywhere in the immaterial. Return to Original English Version

inaptitude /ɪˈnæptɪtjuːd/ — inaptidão. Yet there was a remarkable gentleness and childishness about these people, a special inaptitude for any kind of sharp practice, and an untiring readiness to help and pity one another, deserving often of as much respect, and always of as much generous construction, as the every-day virtues of any class of people in the world. Return to Original English Version

inaugurating /ɪˈnɔːɡjəreɪtɪŋ/ — inaugurando; iniciando. Miss Josephine Sleary, as some very long and very narrow strips of printed bill announced, was then inaugurating the entertainments with her graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act. Return to Original English Version

incisive /ɪnˈsaɪsɪv/ — incisivo; cortante. Forty teeth, namely twenty-four grinders, four eye-teeth, and twelve incisive. Return to Original English Version

inclination /ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃən/ — inclinação; vontade. The latter part of this speech was addressed to Mr. Gradgrind, who received it with a grave inclination of his head, and then remarked: Return to Original English Version

incomprehensible /ɪnˌkɑːmprɪˈhensəbəl/ — incompreensível. Because, in minds that have been practically formed by rule and line, from the cradle upwards, this is so curious, so incomprehensible.’ Return to Original English Version

incorrigible /ɪnˈkɒrɪdʒəbəl/ — incorrigível. Josiah Bounderby of Coketown learnt his letters from the outsides of the shops, Mrs. Gradgrind, and was first able to tell the time upon a dial-plate, from studying the steeple clock of St. Giles’s Church, London, under the direction of a drunken cripple, who was a convicted thief, and an incorrigible vagrant. Return to Original English Version

incumbrance /ɪnˈkʌmbrəns/ — estorvo; ônus, grafia antiga. I was a nuisance, an incumbrance, and a pest. Return to Original English Version

indifferently /ɪnˈdɪfrəntli/ — com indiferença; sem demonstrar preocupação. Mrs. Gradgrind, weakly smiling, and giving no other sign of vitality, looked (as she always did) like an indifferently executed transparency of a small female figure, without enough light behind it. Return to Original English Version

indignant /ɪnˈdɪɡnənt/ — indignado; revoltado. ‘Of course no,’ said the gentleman, with an indignant look at the wrong half. Return to Original English Version

indignantly /ɪnˈdɪɡnəntli/ — indignadamente. Nor was it merely the stranger who noticed this, because there was a native organization in Coketown itself, whose members were to be heard of in the House of Commons every session, indignantly petitioning for acts of parliament that should make these people religious by main force. Return to Original English Version

indignation /ˌɪndɪɡˈneɪʃən/ — indignação. ‘What,’ he repeated presently, ‘would Mr. Bounderby say?’ All the way to Stone Lodge, as with grave indignation he led the two delinquents home, he repeated at intervals ‘What would Mr. Bounderby say?’ - as if Mr. Bounderby had been Mrs. Grundy. Return to Original English Version

inducement /ɪnˈduːsmənt/ — incentivo; aliciamento. Then came the Teetotal Society, who complained that these same people _would_ get drunk, and showed in tabular statements that they did get drunk, and proved at tea parties that no inducement, human or Divine (except a medal), would induce them to forego their custom of getting drunk. Return to Original English Version

infancy /ˈɪnfənsi/ — infância; estágio inicial. That was the cot of _my_ infancy; an old egg-box. Return to Original English Version

infernal /ɪnˈfɜːrnəl/ — infernal; maldito. ‘You are quite another father to Louisa, sir.’ Mrs. Sparsit took a little more tea; and, as she bent her again contracted eyebrows over her steaming cup, rather looked as if her classical countenance were invoking the infernal gods. Return to Original English Version

infirmary /ɪnˈfɜːrməri/ — enfermaria. The jail might have been the infirmary, the infirmary might have been the jail, the town-hall might have been either, or both, or anything else, for anything that appeared to the contrary in the graces of their construction. Return to Original English Version

inflexible /ɪnˈfleksəbəl/ — inflexível; irredutível. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s voice, which was inflexible, dry, and dictatorial. Return to Original English Version

injunction /ɪnˈdʒʌŋkʃən/ — determinação; ordem judicial. ‘Go and be somethingological directly.’ Mrs. Gradgrind was not a scientific character, and usually dismissed her children to their studies with this general injunction to choose their pursuit. Return to Original English Version

inordinate /ɪnˈɔːrdənət/ — desmedida; excessiva. Lady Scadgers (an immensely fat old woman, with an inordinate appetite for butcher’s meat, and a mysterious leg which had now refused to get out of bed for fourteen years) contrived the marriage, at a period when Sparsit was just of age, and chiefly noticeable for a slender body, weakly supported on two long slim props, and surmounted by no head worth mentioning. Return to Original English Version

inscribed /ɪnˈskraɪbd/ — inscritas; com letras gravadas. The Pegasus’s legs might have been more to the purpose; but, underneath the winged horse upon the sign-board, the Pegasus’s Arms was inscribed in Roman letters. Return to Original English Version

inscriptions /ɪnˈskrɪpʃənz/ — inscrições. All the public inscriptions in the town were painted alike, in severe characters of black and white. Return to Original English Version

inseparable /ɪnˈsepərəbəl/ — inseparável. These attributes of Coketown were in the main inseparable from the work by which it was sustained; against them were to be set off, comforts of life which found their way all over the world, and elegancies of life which made, we will not ask how much of the fine lady, who could scarcely bear to hear the place mentioned. Return to Original English Version

insinuated /ɪnˈsɪnjueɪtɪd/ — insinuou; introduziu sub-repticiamente. Meanwhile, the various members of Sleary’s company gradually gathered together from the upper regions, where they were quartered, and, from standing about, talking in low voices to one another and to Mr. Childers, gradually insinuated themselves and him into the room. Return to Original English Version

insolvent /ɪnˈsɒlvənt/ — insolvente. The better class of minds, however, did not need to be informed that the Powlers were an ancient stock, who could trace themselves so exceedingly far back that it was not surprising if they sometimes lost themselves - which they had rather frequently done, as respected horse-flesh, blind-hookey, Hebrew monetary transactions, and the Insolvent Debtors’ Court. Return to Original English Version

intenthion /ɪnˈtɛnθən/ — intenção. ‘Ith it your intenthion to do anything for the poor girl, Thquire?’ Return to Original English Version

intently /ɪnˈtɛntli/ — atentamente; fixamente. She stood looking intently at him, and Louisa stood coldly by, with her eyes upon the ground, while he proceeded thus: Return to Original English Version

interminable /ɪnˈtɜːrmɪnəbəl/ — interminável; sem fim. It was a town of machinery and tall chimneys, out of which interminable serpents of smoke trailed themselves for ever and ever, and never got uncoiled. Return to Original English Version

invariably /ɪnˈveriəbli/ — invariavelmente; sempre. Mrs. Gradgrind, a little, thin, white, pink-eyed bundle of shawls, of surpassing feebleness, mental and bodily; who was always taking physic without any effect, and who, whenever she showed a symptom of coming to life, was invariably stunned by some weighty piece of fact tumbling on her; Mrs. Gradgrind hoped it was a dry ditch? Return to Original English Version

invoking /ɪnˈvoʊkɪŋ/ — invocando; suplicando. ‘You are quite another father to Louisa, sir.’ Mrs. Sparsit took a little more tea; and, as she bent her again contracted eyebrows over her steaming cup, rather looked as if her classical countenance were invoking the infernal gods. Return to Original English Version

irascible /ɪˈræsəbəl/ — irascível; rabugento. ‘What does he come here cheeking us for, then?’ cried Master Kidderminster, showing a very irascible temperament. Return to Original English Version

irradiated /ɪˈreɪdieɪtɪd/ — irradiado; iluminado. The square finger, moving here and there, lighted suddenly on Bitzer, perhaps because he chanced to sit in the same ray of sunlight which, darting in at one of the bare windows of the intensely white-washed room, irradiated Sissy. Return to Original English Version

ith /ɪθ/ — é. Thith ith a bad piethe of bithnith, thith ith. Return to Original English Version

jaded /ˈdʒeɪdɪd/ — embotado; saturado. There was an air of jaded sullenness in them both, and particularly in the girl: yet, struggling through the dissatisfaction of her face, there was a light with nothing to rest upon, a fire with nothing to burn, a starved imagination keeping life in itself somehow, which brightened its expression. Return to Original English Version

jangling /ˈdʒæŋɡlɪŋ/ — estridente; desafinado. It was very strange to walk through the streets on a Sunday morning, and note how few of _them_ the barbarous jangling of bells that was driving the sick and nervous mad, called away from their own quarter, from their own close rooms, from the corners of their own streets, where they lounged listlessly, gazing at all the church and chapel going, as at a thing with which they had no manner of concern. Return to Original English Version

jingle /ˈdʒɪŋɡəl/ — tinido; retinir. No little Gradgrind had ever learnt the silly jingle, Twinkle, twinkle, little star; how I wonder what you are! Return to Original English Version

jostling /ˈdʒɑsəlɪŋ/ — que se acotovelam; empurrando-se. ‘It is true, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with an affectation of humility the very opposite of his, and therefore in no danger of jostling it. Return to Original English Version

joth'phine /ˈdʒɒθfiːn/ — Josefina. Emma Gordon, in whothe lap you’re a lying at prethent, would be a mother to you, and Joth’phine would be a thithter to you. Return to Original English Version

juthtithe /ˈdʒʌθtɪθ/ — justiça. ‘There the ith, Thquire,’ he said, sweeping her with a professional glance as if she were being adjusted in her seat, ‘and the’ll do you juthtithe. Return to Original English Version

keepth /kiːpθ/ — mantém. ‘You’re one of the thort, Thquire, that keepth a prethiouth thight of money out of the houthe. Return to Original English Version

knitting /ˈnɪtɪŋ/ — tricô; tricotando; consolidando-se. ‘This is a very obtrusive lad!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, turning, and knitting his brows on him. Return to Original English Version

knobs /nɑːbz/ — puxadores; botões; saliências redondas. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s hair, which bristled on the skirts of his bald head, a plantation of firs to keep the wind from its shining surface, all covered with knobs, like the crust of a plum pie, as if the head had scarcely warehouse-room for the hard facts stored inside. Return to Original English Version

knuckled /ˈnʌkəld/ — cedeu (expressão 'knuckled under'). The boy stopped in his rapid blinking, knuckled his forehead again, glanced at Sissy, turned about, and retreated. Return to Original English Version

knuckling /ˈnʌklɪŋ/ — cedendo (expressão 'knuckling under'). How dare you dash against - everybody - in this manner?’ Bitzer picked up his cap, which the concussion had knocked off; and backing, and knuckling his forehead, pleaded that it was an accident. Return to Original English Version

labouring /ˈleɪbərɪŋ/ — esforçando-se; batalhando. Because, whoever did, the labouring people did not. Return to Original English Version

ladyship /ˈleɪdiʃɪp/ — senhoria (título de tratamento para uma dama). That bereaved lady, fifteen years older than he, fell presently at deadly feud with her only relative, Lady Scadgers; and, partly to spite her ladyship, and partly to maintain herself, went out at a salary. Return to Original English Version

languidly /ˈlæŋɡwɪdli/ — languidamente; sem energia. Louisa languidly leaned upon the window looking out, without looking at anything, while young Thomas stood sniffing revengefully at the fire. Return to Original English Version

larruped /ˈlærəpt/ — surrou; espancou. There was no rope-dancing for me; I danced on the bare ground and was larruped with the rope.’ Return to Original English Version

lashes /ˈlæʃɪz/ — cílios; chicotadas; açoita. His cold eyes would hardly have been eyes, but for the short ends of lashes which, by bringing them into immediate contrast with something paler than themselves, expressed their form. Return to Original English Version

latht /læθt/ — último. My latht wordth to you ith thith, Thtick to the termth of your engagement, be obedient to the Thquire, and forget uth. Return to Original English Version

lathted /ˈlæθtɪd/ — durou. My voithe ith a little huthky, Thquire, and not eathy heard by them ath don’t know me; but if you’d been chilled and heated, heated and chilled, chilled and heated in the ring when you wath young, ath often ath I have been, _your_ voithe wouldn’t have lathted out, Thquire, no more than mine.’ Return to Original English Version

laughable /ˈlæfəbəl/ — ridículo; risível. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

leaps /liːps/ — saltos; pulos. Was short in his leaps and bad in his tumbling,’ Mr. Childers interpreted. Return to Original English Version

lectured /ˈlektʃərd/ — deu uma palestra. They had been lectured at, from their tenderest years; coursed, like little hares. Return to Original English Version

lecturing /ˈlektʃərɪŋ/ — dando aula; sermoneando. I only use the word to express a monster in a lecturing castle, with Heaven knows how many heads manipulated into one, taking childhood captive, and dragging it into gloomy statistical dens by the hair. Return to Original English Version

levelling /ˈlevəlɪŋ/ — nivelando; aplainando; apontando. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and levelling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. Return to Original English Version

lighted /ˈlaɪtɪd/ — acesa; iluminada. The square finger, moving here and there, lighted suddenly on Bitzer, perhaps because he chanced to sit in the same ray of sunlight which, darting in at one of the bare windows of the intensely white-washed room, irradiated Sissy. Return to Original English Version

listlessly /ˈlɪstləsli/ — apaticamente. It was very strange to walk through the streets on a Sunday morning, and note how few of _them_ the barbarous jangling of bells that was driving the sick and nervous mad, called away from their own quarter, from their own close rooms, from the corners of their own streets, where they lounged listlessly, gazing at all the church and chapel going, as at a thing with which they had no manner of concern. Return to Original English Version

lofty /ˈlɔːfti/ — elevado; altivo; grandioso. ‘And, Mrs. Gradgrind,’ said her husband in a lofty manner, ‘I should as soon have expected to find my children reading poetry.’ Return to Original English Version

lounged /laÊŠndÊ’d/ — ficou descansando; ficou largado. It was very strange to walk through the streets on a Sunday morning, and note how few of _them_ the barbarous jangling of bells that was driving the sick and nervous mad, called away from their own quarter, from their own close rooms, from the corners of their own streets, where they lounged listlessly, gazing at all the church and chapel going, as at a thing with which they had no manner of concern. Return to Original English Version

lustrous /ˈlʌstrəs/ — lustroso; brilhante. But, whereas the girl was so dark-eyed and dark-haired, that she seemed to receive a deeper and more lustrous colour from the sun, when it shone upon her, the boy was so light-eyed and light-haired that the self-same rays appeared to draw out of him what little colour he ever possessed. Return to Original English Version

magna /ˈmæɡnə/ — magna; grande. They made him out to be the Royal arms, the Union-Jack, Magna Charta, John Bull, Habeas Corpus, the Bill of Rights, An Englishman’s house is his castle, Church and State, and God save the Queen, all put together. Return to Original English Version

maim /meɪm/ — mutilar. When from thy boiling store, thou shalt fill each jar brim full by-and-by, dost thou think that thou wilt always kill outright the robber Fancy lurking within - or sometimes only maim him and distort him! Return to Original English Version

majesty's /ˈmædʒəstiz/ — de Sua Majestade. He had worked his stony way into Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council’s Schedule B, and had taken the bloom off the higher branches of mathematics and physical science, French, German, Latin, and Greek. Return to Original English Version

mangy /ˈmeɪndʒi/ — sarnento. She came bounding down again in a great hurry, opened a battered and mangy old hair trunk, found it empty, and looked round with her hands clasped and her face full of terror. Return to Original English Version

marshy /ˈmɑːrʃi/ — pantanoso; alagadiço. Sheds coat in the spring; in marshy countries, sheds hoofs, too. Return to Original English Version

mathter /ˈmæθtə/ — mestre. But on thecond thoughth, he wouldn’t have performed without hith mathter, tho ith ath broad ath ith long!’ Return to Original English Version

matrimonial /ˌmætrɪˈmoʊniəl/ — matrimonial; conjugal. In truth, Mrs. Gradgrind’s stock of facts in general was woefully defective; but Mr. Gradgrind in raising her to her high matrimonial position, had been influenced by two reasons. Return to Original English Version

maw /mɔː/ — boca enorme. He’d open his eyes, that boy would, if he knew how empty of learning _my_ young maw was, at his time of life.’ Which, by the by, he probably did know, for he had heard of it often enough. Return to Original English Version

mayhap /ˈmeɪhæp/ — talvez (arcaico). Then came the experienced chaplain of the jail, with more tabular statements, outdoing all the previous tabular statements, and showing that the same people _would_ resort to low haunts, hidden from the public eye, where they heard low singing and saw low dancing, and mayhap joined in it; and where A. B., aged twenty-four next birthday, and committed for eighteen months’ solitary, had himself said (not that he had ever shown himself particularly worthy of belief) his ruin began, as he was perfectly sure and confident that otherwise he would have been a tip-top moral specimen. Return to Original English Version

meekly /ˈmiːkli/ — humildemente; mansamente. Mrs. Gradgrind meekly and weakly hoped that his mother - Return to Original English Version

melancholy /ˈmɛlənkəli/ — melancolia; tristeza pensativa. It had a black canal in it, and a river that ran purple with ill-smelling dye, and vast piles of building full of windows where there was a rattling and a trembling all day long, and where the piston of the steam-engine worked monotonously up and down, like the head of an elephant in a state of melancholy madness. Return to Original English Version

messrs /ˈmɛsərz/ — Srs.. COKETOWN, to which Messrs. Return to Original English Version

metallurgical /ˌmɛtəˈlɜːrdʒɪkəl/ — metalúrgico. They had a little conchological cabinet, and a little metallurgical cabinet, and a little mineralogical cabinet; and the specimens were all arranged and labelled, and the bits of stone and ore looked as though they might have been broken from the parent substances by those tremendously hard instruments their own names; and, to paraphrase the idle legend of Peter Piper, who had never found his way into their nursery, If the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped at more than this, what was it for good gracious goodness’ sake, that the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped it! Return to Original English Version

minding /ˈmaɪndɪŋ/ — tomando conta de; guardando. You know the horse-riders are famous for never minding what they say,’ addressing Sissy. Return to Original English Version

mineralogical /ˌmɪnərəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/ — mineralógico; relativo ao estudo dos minerais. They had a little conchological cabinet, and a little metallurgical cabinet, and a little mineralogical cabinet; and the specimens were all arranged and labelled, and the bits of stone and ore looked as though they might have been broken from the parent substances by those tremendously hard instruments their own names; and, to paraphrase the idle legend of Peter Piper, who had never found his way into their nursery, If the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped at more than this, what was it for good gracious goodness’ sake, that the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped it! Return to Original English Version

mingled /ˈmɪŋɡəld/ — misturou-se; misturava-se. ‘Serve ’em right,’ said Mr. Bounderby, ‘for being idle.’ She glanced up at his face, with mingled astonishment and dread. Return to Original English Version

misanthrope /ˈmɪsənθroʊp/ — misantropo. But she had to take her farewell of the male part of the company yet, and every one of them had to unfold his arms (for they all assumed the professional attitude when they found themselves near Sleary), and give her a parting kiss - Master Kidderminster excepted, in whose young nature there was an original flavour of the misanthrope, who was also known to have harboured matrimonial views, and who moodily withdrew. Return to Original English Version

mischief /ˈmɪstʃɪf/ — travessura; dano. You wouldn’t have thought of saying such mischief if you hadn’t been a horse-rider?’ Return to Original English Version

misgiving /mɪsˈɡɪvɪŋ/ — receio; pressentimento ruim. ‘I hope not,’ said the eminently practical; ‘I confess, however, that the misgiving _has_ crossed me on my way home.’ Return to Original English Version

mith'd /mɪθt/ — perdeu; não acertou. I don’t pretend to be of the angel breed myself, and I don’t thay but what, when you mith’d your tip, you’d find me cut up rough, and thwear an oath or two at you. Return to Original English Version

moaning /ˈmoʊnɪŋ/ — gemendo; lamentando-se. I was so sickly, that I was always moaning and groaning. Return to Original English Version

mocha /ˈmɒkə/ — Moca; café moca. Then came Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby, the two gentlemen at this present moment walking through Coketown, and both eminently practical, who could, on occasion, furnish more tabular statements derived from their own personal experience, and illustrated by cases they had known and seen, from which it clearly appeared - in short, it was the only clear thing in the case - that these same people were a bad lot altogether, gentlemen; that do what you would for them they were never thankful for it, gentlemen; that they were restless, gentlemen; that they never knew what they wanted; that they lived upon the best, and bought fresh butter; and insisted on Mocha coffee, and rejected all but prime parts of meat, and yet were eternally dissatisfied and unmanageable. Return to Original English Version

monotonously /məˈnɑːtənəsli/ — monotonamente. It had a black canal in it, and a river that ran purple with ill-smelling dye, and vast piles of building full of windows where there was a rattling and a trembling all day long, and where the piston of the steam-engine worked monotonously up and down, like the head of an elephant in a state of melancholy madness. Return to Original English Version

moodily /ˈmuːdɪli/ — taciturnamente; com ar sombrio. But she had to take her farewell of the male part of the company yet, and every one of them had to unfold his arms (for they all assumed the professional attitude when they found themselves near Sleary), and give her a parting kiss - Master Kidderminster excepted, in whose young nature there was an original flavour of the misanthrope, who was also known to have harboured matrimonial views, and who moodily withdrew. Return to Original English Version

moor /mʊə/ — charneca. Stone Lodge was situated on a moor within a mile or two of a great town - called Coketown in the present faithful guide-book. Return to Original English Version

morrithed /ˈmɜːrdərd/ — assassinado; morto. You’ve heard of my Clown and hith dog being thuppothed to have morrithed?’ Return to Original English Version

mournful /ˈmɔːrnfəl/ — lastimoso; pesaroso; fúnebre. ‘I certainly, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with a dignity serenely mournful, ‘was familiar with the Italian Opera at a very early age.’ Return to Original English Version

movementh /ˈmuːvmənθ/ — movimentos. They’re a very good natur’d people, my people, but they’re accuthtomed to be quick in their movementh; and if you don’t act upon my advithe, I’m damned if I don’t believe they’ll pith you out o’ winder.’ Return to Original English Version

muddled /ˈmʌdəld/ — confuso. Last of all appeared Mr. Sleary: a stout man as already mentioned, with one fixed eye, and one loose eye, a voice (if it can be called so) like the efforts of a broken old pair of bellows, a flabby surface, and a muddled head which was never sober and never drunk. Return to Original English Version

mustn't /ˈmʌsənt/ — não deve (contração de must not). ‘Tell him he mustn’t. Return to Original English Version

mutht /mʌθt/ — devo. ‘At the thame time,’ said Sleary, ‘I mutht put in my word, Thquire, tho that both thides of the banner may be equally theen. Return to Original English Version

muzzle /ˈmʌzəl/ — focinho; focinheira; boca da arma. Indeed, as he eagerly sparkled at them from the cellarage before mentioned, he seemed a kind of cannon loaded to the muzzle with facts, and prepared to blow them clean out of the regions of childhood at one discharge. Return to Original English Version

natur /ˈneɪtʃər/ — natureza (fala popular de nature). If you like, Thethilia, to be prentitht, you know the natur of the work and you know your companionth. Return to Original English Version

natur'd /ˈneɪtʃərd/ — de boa índole; de temperamento. They’re a very good natur’d people, my people, but they’re accuthtomed to be quick in their movementh; and if you don’t act upon my advithe, I’m damned if I don’t believe they’ll pith you out o’ winder.’ Return to Original English Version

nay /neɪ/ — nï¿½o; de modo algum. The speaker’s obstinate carriage, square coat, square legs, square shoulders, - nay, his very neckcloth, trained to take him by the throat with an unaccommodating grasp, like a stubborn fact, as it was, - all helped the emphasis. Return to Original English Version

newmarket /ˈnuːmɑːrkɪt/ — Newmarket. He was dressed in a Newmarket coat and tight-fitting trousers; wore a shawl round his neck; smelt of lamp-oil, straw, orange-peel, horses’ provender, and sawdust; and looked a most remarkable sort of Centaur, compounded of the stable and the play-house. Return to Original English Version

nonsensical /nɑːnˈsensɪkl/ — sem pé nem cabeça. You might hope to get some other nonsensical belief into the head of George Gradgrind, or Augustus Gradgrind, or John Gradgrind, or Joseph Gradgrind (all supposititious, non-existent persons), but into the head of Thomas Gradgrind - no, sir! Return to Original English Version

nostrils /ˈnɑːstrəlz/ — narinas. Very thoughtful of you!’ Mrs. Sparsit’s Coriolanian nose underwent a slight expansion of the nostrils, and her black eyebrows contracted as she took a sip of tea. Return to Original English Version

notwithstanding /ˌnɑːtwɪθˈstændɪŋ/ — não obstante; apesar de. Being left to saunter in the hall a minute or two while Mr. Gradgrind went up-stairs for the address, he opened the door of the children’s study and looked into that serene floor-clothed apartment, which, notwithstanding its book-cases and its cabinets and its variety of learned and philosophical appliances, had much of the genial aspect of a room devoted to hair-cutting. Return to Original English Version

nought /nɔːt/ — nada; coisa nenhuma. Surely, none of us in our sober senses and acquainted with figures, are to be told at this time of day, that one of the foremost elements in the existence of the Coketown working-people had been for scores of years, deliberately set at nought? Return to Original English Version

objectionable /əbˈdʒekʃənəbəl/ — inaceitável; desagradável. Mr. Gradgrind frowned, and waved off the objectionable calling with his hand. Return to Original English Version

obstinate /ˈɒbstɪnət/ — teimoso. The speaker’s obstinate carriage, square coat, square legs, square shoulders, - nay, his very neckcloth, trained to take him by the throat with an unaccommodating grasp, like a stubborn fact, as it was, - all helped the emphasis. Return to Original English Version

obtrusive /əbˈtruːsɪv/ — intrometido; que se impõe. ‘This is a very obtrusive lad!’ said Mr. Gradgrind, turning, and knitting his brows on him. Return to Original English Version

ochre /ˈoʊkər/ — ocre. ‘If you want to cheek us, pay your ochre at the doors and take it out.’ Return to Original English Version

ogre /ˈoʊɡər/ — ogro; papão. The first object with which they had an association, or of which they had a remembrance, was a large black board with a dry Ogre chalking ghastly white figures on it. Return to Original English Version

orator /ˈɒrətə(r)/ — orador. And as often (and it was very often) as an orator of this kind brought into his peroration, Return to Original English Version

ornament /ˈɔːrnəmənt/ — ornamento; enfeite. You are not to have, in any object of use or ornament, what would be a contradiction in fact. Return to Original English Version

ornamental /ˌɔːrnəˈmentəl/ — ornamental; decorativo. If the members of a religious persuasion built a chapel there - as the members of eighteen religious persuasions had done - they made it a pious warehouse of red brick, with sometimes (but this is only in highly ornamental examples) a bell in a birdcage on the top of it. Return to Original English Version

orthography /ɔːrˈθɑːɡrəfi/ — ortografia. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and levelling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. Return to Original English Version

otherwithe /ˈʌðəwaɪð/ — caso contrário; de outro modo. But what I thay, Thquire, ith, that good tempered or bad tempered, I never did a horthe a injury yet, no more than thwearing at him went, and that I don’t expect I thall begin otherwithe at my time of life, with a rider. Return to Original English Version

outdoing /ˌaʊtˈduːɪŋ/ — superar. Then came the experienced chaplain of the jail, with more tabular statements, outdoing all the previous tabular statements, and showing that the same people _would_ resort to low haunts, hidden from the public eye, where they heard low singing and saw low dancing, and mayhap joined in it; and where A. B., aged twenty-four next birthday, and committed for eighteen months’ solitary, had himself said (not that he had ever shown himself particularly worthy of belief) his ruin began, as he was perfectly sure and confident that otherwise he would have been a tip-top moral specimen. Return to Original English Version

outsides /ˈaʊtsaɪdz/ — lado de fora. Josiah Bounderby of Coketown learnt his letters from the outsides of the shops, Mrs. Gradgrind, and was first able to tell the time upon a dial-plate, from studying the steeple clock of St. Giles’s Church, London, under the direction of a drunken cripple, who was a convicted thief, and an incorrigible vagrant. Return to Original English Version

overdone /ˌɑʊvərdɑnɛ/ — fazer do em excesso. Ah, rather overdone, M’Choakumchild. Return to Original English Version

overshadowed /ˌoʊvərˈʃædoʊd/ — ofuscou; ensombrou. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s square wall of a forehead, which had his eyebrows for its base, while his eyes found commodious cellarage in two dark caves, overshadowed by the wall. Return to Original English Version

oversights /ˌɑʊvərsæɪts/ — falha por descuido. However, as you are aware, ma’am, I don’t allow of even oversights towards you.’ Return to Original English Version

paces /ˈpeɪsɪz/ — passos. He had been put through an immense variety of paces, and had answered volumes of head-breaking questions. Return to Original English Version

palpitating /ˈpælpɪteɪtɪŋ/ — palpitante. Stop!’ Girl number twenty stopped then, palpitating, and made him a curtsey. Return to Original English Version

panted /ˈpæntɪd/ — ofegou; arquejou. ‘I was - I was run after, sir,’ the girl panted, ‘and I wanted to get away.’ Return to Original English Version

paraphrase /ˈpærəfreɪz/ — paráfrase. They had a little conchological cabinet, and a little metallurgical cabinet, and a little mineralogical cabinet; and the specimens were all arranged and labelled, and the bits of stone and ore looked as though they might have been broken from the parent substances by those tremendously hard instruments their own names; and, to paraphrase the idle legend of Peter Piper, who had never found his way into their nursery, If the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped at more than this, what was it for good gracious goodness’ sake, that the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped it! Return to Original English Version

parting /ˈpɑːrtɪŋ/ — despedida. But she had to take her farewell of the male part of the company yet, and every one of them had to unfold his arms (for they all assumed the professional attitude when they found themselves near Sleary), and give her a parting kiss - Master Kidderminster excepted, in whose young nature there was an original flavour of the misanthrope, who was also known to have harboured matrimonial views, and who moodily withdrew. Return to Original English Version

paternal /pəˈtɜːrnəl/ — paterno. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Return to Original English Version

paving /ˈpeɪvɪŋ/ — pavimentação. People like you, ma’am, accustomed from infancy to lie on Down feathers, have no idea _how_ hard a paving-stone is, without trying it. Return to Original English Version

paythe /peɪθ/ — paga. Known all over England, and alwayth paythe ith way.’ Return to Original English Version

peacock's /ˈpiːkɑːks/ — de pavão. The white night-cap, embellished with two peacock’s feathers and a pigtail bolt upright, in which Signor Jupe had that very afternoon enlivened the varied performances with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts, hung upon a nail; but no other portion of his wardrobe, or other token of himself or his pursuits, was to be seen anywhere. Return to Original English Version

peep /piːp/ — espiada; espiar; dar uma olhada rápida. But, the turning of the road took him by the back of the booth, and at the back of the booth a number of children were congregated in a number of stealthy attitudes, striving to peep in at the hidden glories of the place. Return to Original English Version

peeping /ˈpiːpɪŋ/ — espreitando; espiando; assomando. Phenomenon almost incredible though distinctly seen, what did he then behold but his own metallurgical Louisa, peeping with all her might through a hole in a deal board, and his own mathematical Thomas abasing himself on the ground to catch but a hoof of the graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act! Return to Original English Version

Original Text: Rare Words (3/4)

penknife /ˈpɛnnaɪf/ — canivete. ‘You may cut the piece out with your penknife if you like, Tom. Return to Original English Version

perch /pɜːrtʃ/ — poleiro; empoleirar-se; lugar alto. You don’t find that foreign birds and butterflies come and perch upon your crockery; you cannot be permitted to paint foreign birds and butterflies upon your crockery. Return to Original English Version

peremptorily /pəˈremptərəli/ — peremptoriamente. Thomas Gradgrind, sir - peremptorily Thomas - Thomas Gradgrind. Return to Original English Version

peroration /ˌperəˈreɪʃən/ — conclusão de discurso. And as often (and it was very often) as an orator of this kind brought into his peroration, Return to Original English Version

perplexing /pərˈpleksɪŋ/ — desconcertante; intrigante. First, the perplexing mystery of the place was, Who belonged to the eighteen denominations? Return to Original English Version

persuasion /pərˈsweɪʒən/ — persuasão. If the members of a religious persuasion built a chapel there - as the members of eighteen religious persuasions had done - they made it a pious warehouse of red brick, with sometimes (but this is only in highly ornamental examples) a bell in a birdcage on the top of it. Return to Original English Version

persuasions /pərˈsweɪʒənz/ — convicções; crenças; persuasões. If the members of a religious persuasion built a chapel there - as the members of eighteen religious persuasions had done - they made it a pious warehouse of red brick, with sometimes (but this is only in highly ornamental examples) a bell in a birdcage on the top of it. Return to Original English Version

petitioning /pəˈtɪʃənɪŋ/ — solicitando formalmente. Nor was it merely the stranger who noticed this, because there was a native organization in Coketown itself, whose members were to be heard of in the House of Commons every session, indignantly petitioning for acts of parliament that should make these people religious by main force. Return to Original English Version

philothophy /fɪˈlɒθəfi/ — filosofia. I’ve got my living out of the horthe-riding all my life, I know; but I conthider that I lay down the philothophy of the thubject when I thay to you, Thquire, make the betht of uth: not the wurtht!’ Return to Original English Version

phraseology /ˌfreɪziˈɑːlədʒi/ — fraseologia; modo de dizer. To continue in fistic phraseology, he had a genius for coming up to the scratch, wherever and whatever it was, and proving himself an ugly customer. Return to Original English Version

physic /ˈfɪzɪk/ — medicina; arte de curar (arcaico). Mrs. Gradgrind, a little, thin, white, pink-eyed bundle of shawls, of surpassing feebleness, mental and bodily; who was always taking physic without any effect, and who, whenever she showed a symptom of coming to life, was invariably stunned by some weighty piece of fact tumbling on her; Mrs. Gradgrind hoped it was a dry ditch? Return to Original English Version

pianoforte /piˌænoʊˈfɔːrteɪ/ — pianoforte. He and some one hundred and forty other schoolmasters, had been lately turned at the same time, in the same factory, on the same principles, like so many pianoforte legs. Return to Original English Version

piebald /ˈpaɪbɔːld/ — malhado; de duas cores. Here his daughter Josephine - a pretty fair-haired girl of eighteen, who had been tied on a horse at two years old, and had made a will at twelve, which she always carried about with her, expressive of her dying desire to be drawn to the grave by the two piebald ponies - cried, ‘Father, hush! she has come back!’ Then came Sissy Jupe, running into the room as she had run out of it. Return to Original English Version

piethe /ˈpæɪθɛ/ — peça. Thith ith a bad piethe of bithnith, thith ith. Return to Original English Version

pinnacles /ˈpɪnəkəlz/ — pináculos; picos. The solitary exception was the New Church; a stuccoed edifice with a square steeple over the door, terminating in four short pinnacles like florid wooden legs. Return to Original English Version

pious /ˈpaɪəs/ — piedoso; devoto. If the members of a religious persuasion built a chapel there - as the members of eighteen religious persuasions had done - they made it a pious warehouse of red brick, with sometimes (but this is only in highly ornamental examples) a bell in a birdcage on the top of it. Return to Original English Version

piston /ˈpɪstən/ — pistão. It had a black canal in it, and a river that ran purple with ill-smelling dye, and vast piles of building full of windows where there was a rattling and a trembling all day long, and where the piston of the steam-engine worked monotonously up and down, like the head of an elephant in a state of melancholy madness. Return to Original English Version

pitchers /ˈpɪtʃər/ — jarras. In such terms, no doubt, substituting the words ‘boys and girls,’ for ‘sir,’ Thomas Gradgrind now presented Thomas Gradgrind to the little pitchers before him, who were to be filled so full of facts. Return to Original English Version

pith /pɪθ/ — medula. They’re a very good natur’d people, my people, but they’re accuthtomed to be quick in their movementh; and if you don’t act upon my advithe, I’m damned if I don’t believe they’ll pith you out o’ winder.’ Return to Original English Version

plaudits /ˈplɔdɪt/ — aplausos. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

pointedly /ˈpɔɪntɪdli/ — de modo incisivo; com intenção. E. W. B. Childers replied pointedly, that he was not at all astonished to hear it. Return to Original English Version

pondering /ˈpɑːndərɪŋ/ — ponderando; refletindo. ‘Whether,’ said Gradgrind, pondering with his hands in his pockets, and his cavernous eyes on the fire, ‘whether any instructor or servant can have suggested anything? Return to Original English Version

ponging /ˈpɒŋɪŋ/ — exalando mau cheiro. ‘Missed his tip at the banners, too, and was loose in his ponging.’ Return to Original English Version

portico /ˈpɔːrtɪkoʊ/ — pórtico. A great square house, with a heavy portico darkening the principal windows, as its master’s heavy brows overshadowed his eyes. Return to Original English Version

pouted /ˈpaʊtɪd/ — fez beicinho. ‘That’s the reason!’ pouted Louisa. Return to Original English Version

prairies /ˈprɛriz/ — pradarias; campinas. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Return to Original English Version

precocious /prɪˈkoʊʃəs/ — precoces; adiantados para a idade. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy. Return to Original English Version

prentith /əˈprɛntɪs/ — aprendiz. I’m willing to take her prentith, though at her age ith late. Return to Original English Version

prentitht /əˈprɛntɪst/ — como aprendiz. If you like, Thethilia, to be prentitht, you know the natur of the work and you know your companionth. Return to Original English Version

preparatory /prɪˈpærətɔːri/ — preparatório. He went to work in this preparatory lesson, not unlike Morgiana in the Forty Thieves: looking into all the vessels ranged before him, one after another, to see what they contained. Return to Original English Version

presided /prɪˈzaɪdɪd/ — presidiu. MR. BOUNDERBY being a bachelor, an elderly lady presided over his establishment, in consideration of a certain annual stipend. Return to Original English Version

prethent /ˈprɛzənt/ — presente, atual. Emma Gordon, in whothe lap you’re a lying at prethent, would be a mother to you, and Joth’phine would be a thithter to you. Return to Original English Version

prethiouth /ˈprɛʃəs/ — precioso. ‘You’re one of the thort, Thquire, that keepth a prethiouth thight of money out of the houthe. Return to Original English Version

primest /praɪm/ — da melhor qualidade. Gas and ventilation, drainage and water-service, all of the primest quality. Return to Original English Version

privy /ˈprɪvi/ — secreto. He had worked his stony way into Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council’s Schedule B, and had taken the bloom off the higher branches of mathematics and physical science, French, German, Latin, and Greek. Return to Original English Version

processions /prəˈsɛʃənz/ — procissões; cortejos. If Bounderby had been a Conqueror, and Mrs. Sparsit a captive Princess whom he took about as a feature in his state-processions, he could not have made a greater flourish with her than he habitually did. Return to Original English Version

proclaiming /prəˈkleɪmɪŋ/ — proclamando. A man who was always proclaiming, through that brassy speaking-trumpet of a voice of his, his old ignorance and his old poverty. Return to Original English Version

professed /prəˈfest/ — declarado; assumido. A mighty man at cutting and drying, he was; a government officer; in his way (and in most other people’s too), a professed pugilist; always in training, always with a system to force down the general throat like a bolus, always to be heard of at the bar of his little Public-office, ready to fight all England. Return to Original English Version

propounded /prəˈpaʊndɪd/ — propôs; apresentou. The Sleary philosophy was propounded as they went downstairs and the fixed eye of Philosophy - and its rolling eye, too - soon lost the three figures and the basket in the darkness of the street. Return to Original English Version

prosody /prɑsʌdi/ — prosódia. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and levelling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. Return to Original English Version

provender /ˈprɑːvəndər/ — forragem. He was dressed in a Newmarket coat and tight-fitting trousers; wore a shawl round his neck; smelt of lamp-oil, straw, orange-peel, horses’ provender, and sawdust; and looked a most remarkable sort of Centaur, compounded of the stable and the play-house. Return to Original English Version

puffed /pʌft/ — estufado; inchado. A man with a great puffed head and forehead, swelled veins in his temples, and such a strained skin to his face that it seemed to hold his eyes open, and lift his eyebrows up. Return to Original English Version

pugilist /ˈpjuːdʒɪlɪst/ — pugilista. A mighty man at cutting and drying, he was; a government officer; in his way (and in most other people’s too), a professed pugilist; always in training, always with a system to force down the general throat like a bolus, always to be heard of at the bar of his little Public-office, ready to fight all England. Return to Original English Version

purchaseable /ˈpɜːrtʃəsəbəl/ — comprável. The M’Choakumchild school was all fact, and the school of design was all fact, and the relations between master and man were all fact, and everything was fact between the lying-in hospital and the cemetery, and what you couldn’t state in figures, or show to be purchaseable in the cheapest market and saleable in the dearest, was not, and never should be, world without end, Amen. Return to Original English Version

pursuer /pərˈsuːər/ — perseguidor. ‘It’s what our people aways use, sir, when they get any hurts in the ring,’ replied the girl, looking over her shoulder, to assure herself that her pursuer was gone. Return to Original English Version

pursuits /pərˈsuːts/ — ocupações; buscas. The white night-cap, embellished with two peacock’s feathers and a pigtail bolt upright, in which Signor Jupe had that very afternoon enlivened the varied performances with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts, hung upon a nail; but no other portion of his wardrobe, or other token of himself or his pursuits, was to be seen anywhere. Return to Original English Version

pursy /ˈpɜːsi/ — ofegante e corpulento. People mutht be amuthed, Thquire, thomehow,’ continued Sleary, rendered more pursy than ever, by so much talking; ‘they can’t be alwayth a working, nor yet they can’t be alwayth a learning. Return to Original English Version

puss /pʊs/ — gato; bichano. ‘It’s tolerably clear to _me_,’ said Bounderby, ‘that the little puss can get small good out of such companionship.’ Return to Original English Version

quadruped /ˈkwɑːdruped/ — quadrúpede. ‘Quadruped. Return to Original English Version

quadrupeds /ˈkwɑːdrupedz/ — quadrúpedes. You never meet with quadrupeds going up and down walls; you must not have quadrupeds represented upon walls. Return to Original English Version

quartered /ˈkwɔːrtərd/ — dividido em quatro; alojado. Meanwhile, the various members of Sleary’s company gradually gathered together from the upper regions, where they were quartered, and, from standing about, talking in low voices to one another and to Mr. Childers, gradually insinuated themselves and him into the room. Return to Original English Version

quips /kwɪps/ — tiradas. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

quivering /ˈkwɪv.ər.ɪŋ/ — tremendo. Bitzer, after rapidly blinking at Thomas Gradgrind with both eyes at once, and so catching the light upon his quivering ends of lashes that they looked like the antennæ of busy insects, put his knuckles to his freckled forehead, and sat down again. Return to Original English Version

rabble /ˈræb.əl/ — multidao. ‘Now, to think of these vagabonds,’ said he, ‘attracting the young rabble from a model school.’ Return to Original English Version

ragged /ˈræɡɪd/ — esfarrapada; maltrapilha. I was so ragged and dirty, that you wouldn’t have touched me with a pair of tongs.’ Return to Original English Version

rakish ˈreɪkɪʃ — atrevido e desalinhado. They all assumed to be mighty rakish and knowing, they were not very tidy in their private dresses, they were not at all orderly in their domestic arrangements, and the combined literature of the whole company would have produced but a poor letter on any subject. Return to Original English Version

rapturous /ˈræptʃərəs/ — arrebatado; entusiástico. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

rattling /ˈrætlɪŋ/ — chacoalhante. It had a black canal in it, and a river that ran purple with ill-smelling dye, and vast piles of building full of windows where there was a rattling and a trembling all day long, and where the piston of the steam-engine worked monotonously up and down, like the head of an elephant in a state of melancholy madness. Return to Original English Version

rebounded /rɪˈbaʊndɪd/ — ricocheteou; recuperou-se. The question was unexpectedly and suddenly answered for her, by the colourless boy, Bitzer, who came round the corner with such blind speed and so little anticipating a stoppage on the pavement, that he brought himself up against Mr. Gradgrind’s waistcoat and rebounded into the road. Return to Original English Version

rejoined riːˈdʒɔɪnd — reuniu-se. ‘I trust, sir,’ rejoined Mrs. Sparsit, with decent resignation, ‘it is not necessary that you should do anything of that kind. Return to Original English Version

relict /ˈrɛlɪkt/ — viúva. Mr. Sparsit, deceased, of whom she was the relict, had been by the mother’s side what Mrs. Sparsit still called ‘a Powler.’ Strangers of limited information and dull apprehension were sometimes observed not to know what a Powler was, and even to appear uncertain whether it might be a business, or a political party, or a profession of faith. Return to Original English Version

reluctance /rɪˈlʌktəns/ — relutância; hesitação. ‘Why has he been - so very much - Goosed?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, forcing the word out of himself, with great solemnity and reluctance. Return to Original English Version

reluctantly /rɪˈlʌktəntli/ — relutantemente; a contragosto. ‘Yes, sir,’ said the girl reluctantly. Return to Original English Version

remonstrated /rɪˈmɑːnstreɪtɪd/ — protestou; objetou. ‘What are you about, Loo?’ her brother sulkily remonstrated. Return to Original English Version

repealed rɪˈpiːld — revogou. That exactly in the ratio as they worked long and monotonously, the craving grew within them for some physical relief - some relaxation, encouraging good humour and good spirits, and giving them a vent - some recognized holiday, though it were but for an honest dance to a stirring band of music - some occasional light pie in which even M’Choakumchild had no finger - which craving must and would be satisfied aright, or must and would inevitably go wrong, until the laws of the Creation were repealed? Return to Original English Version

repetitions ˌrɛpɪˈtɪʃən — repetição. His pride in having at any time of his life achieved such a great social distinction as to be a nuisance, an incumbrance, and a pest, was only to be satisfied by three sonorous repetitions of the boast. Return to Original English Version

replete rɪˈpliːt — repleto. Thomas and you, to whom the circle of the sciences is open; Thomas and you, who may be said to be replete with facts; Thomas and you, who have been trained to mathematical exactness; Thomas and you, here!’ cried Mr. Gradgrind. Return to Original English Version

reproachful /rɪˈproʊtʃfəl/ — de censura; de reprovação. His eminently practical friend, on seeing him, stopped also, and gave Louisa a reproachful look that plainly said, ‘Behold your Bounderby!’ Return to Original English Version

resentfully /rɪˈzentfəli/ — com ressentimento. Indeed?’ said Mr. Gradgrind, rather resentfully, as having been defrauded of his good opinion. Return to Original English Version

restrained rɪˈstreɪnd — contido. Mr. Bounderby being restrained by this mild suggestion, Mr. Gradgrind found an opening for his eminently practical exposition of the subject. Return to Original English Version

retorts rɪtɔrts — replicar. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

retreated ritritʌd — recuar. The boy stopped in his rapid blinking, knuckled his forehead again, glanced at Sissy, turned about, and retreated. Return to Original English Version

revengefully /rɪˈvɛndʒfəli/ — revidar. Louisa languidly leaned upon the window looking out, without looking at anything, while young Thomas stood sniffing revengefully at the fire. Return to Original English Version

ruminating ˈruːməneɪtɪŋ — refletindo. No little Gradgrind had ever associated a cow in a field with that famous cow with the crumpled horn who tossed the dog who worried the cat who killed the rat who ate the malt, or with that yet more famous cow who swallowed Tom Thumb: it had never heard of those celebrities, and had only been introduced to a cow as a graminivorous ruminating quadruped with several stomachs. Return to Original English Version

saleable ˈseɪləbəl — vendável. The M’Choakumchild school was all fact, and the school of design was all fact, and the relations between master and man were all fact, and everything was fact between the lying-in hospital and the cemetery, and what you couldn’t state in figures, or show to be purchaseable in the cheapest market and saleable in the dearest, was not, and never should be, world without end, Amen. Return to Original English Version

sallow /ˈsæloʊ/ — amarelado; macilento. His face, close-shaven, thin, and sallow, was shaded by a great quantity of dark hair, brushed into a roll all round his head, and parted up the centre. Return to Original English Version

satin /ˈsætən/ — cetim. You were coming out of the Italian Opera, ma’am, in white satin and jewels, a blaze of splendour, when I hadn’t a penny to buy a link to light you.’ Return to Original English Version

saunter /ˈsɔːntər/ — caminhar sem pressa. Being left to saunter in the hall a minute or two while Mr. Gradgrind went up-stairs for the address, he opened the door of the children’s study and looked into that serene floor-clothed apartment, which, notwithstanding its book-cases and its cabinets and its variety of learned and philosophical appliances, had much of the genial aspect of a room devoted to hair-cutting. Return to Original English Version

sauntered /ˈsɔːntərd/ — caminhou sem pressa. So, Mr. Bounderby threw on his hat - he always threw it on, as expressing a man who had been far too busily employed in making himself, to acquire any fashion of wearing his hat - and with his hands in his pockets, sauntered out into the hall. Return to Original English Version

scarcely /\u02c8sk\u025brsli/ — mal. The emphasis was helped by the speaker’s hair, which bristled on the skirts of his bald head, a plantation of firs to keep the wind from its shining surface, all covered with knobs, like the crust of a plum pie, as if the head had scarcely warehouse-room for the hard facts stored inside. Return to Original English Version

schoolmaster's /ˈskuːlmæstərz/ — do professor. The scene was a plain, bare, monotonous vault of a school-room, and the speaker’s square forefinger emphasized his observations by underscoring every sentence with a line on the schoolmaster’s sleeve. Return to Original English Version

schoolmasters /ˈskuːlmæstərz/ — professores. He and some one hundred and forty other schoolmasters, had been lately turned at the same time, in the same factory, on the same principles, like so many pianoforte legs. Return to Original English Version

serene səˈriːn — sereno. Being left to saunter in the hall a minute or two while Mr. Gradgrind went up-stairs for the address, he opened the door of the children’s study and looked into that serene floor-clothed apartment, which, notwithstanding its book-cases and its cabinets and its variety of learned and philosophical appliances, had much of the genial aspect of a room devoted to hair-cutting. Return to Original English Version

serenely /səˈriːnli/ — serenamente; sem se abalar. ‘I certainly, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with a dignity serenely mournful, ‘was familiar with the Italian Opera at a very early age.’ Return to Original English Version

serpents /ˈsɜːrpənts/ — serpentes; cobras. It was a town of machinery and tall chimneys, out of which interminable serpents of smoke trailed themselves for ever and ever, and never got uncoiled. Return to Original English Version

shabbily /ˈʃæbəli/ — de modo surrado. It was a mean, shabbily furnished room, with a bed in it. Return to Original English Version

shaksperean /ʃeɪkˈspɪəriən/ — shakespeariano. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

shalt ??lt — deves. When from thy boiling store, thou shalt fill each jar brim full by-and-by, dost thou think that thou wilt always kill outright the robber Fancy lurking within - or sometimes only maim him and distort him! Return to Original English Version

shaven /ˈʃeɪvən/ — rapado; de cabeça raspada. His face, close-shaven, thin, and sallow, was shaded by a great quantity of dark hair, brushed into a roll all round his head, and parted up the centre. Return to Original English Version

sheds /ʃɛdz/ — galpões; barracões. Sheds coat in the spring; in marshy countries, sheds hoofs, too. Return to Original English Version

shod ʃˈɑd — ferrado. Hoofs hard, but requiring to be shod with iron. Return to Original English Version

showered /ˈʃaʊərd/ — cobriu de; despejou sobre. In the measure that he would not allow his own youth to have been attended by a single favourable circumstance, he brightened Mrs. Sparsit’s juvenile career with every possible advantage, and showered waggon-loads of early roses all over that lady’s path. Return to Original English Version

sickly /ˈsɪkli/ — enjoativo; adocicado demais. I was so sickly, that I was always moaning and groaning. Return to Original English Version

signify /ˈsɪɡnɪfaɪ/ — manifestar; dar a conhecer. ‘Tight-Jeff or Slack-Jeff, it don’t much signify: it’s only tight-rope and slack-rope. Return to Original English Version

smelt /smˈɛlt/ — cheirar. He was dressed in a Newmarket coat and tight-fitting trousers; wore a shawl round his neck; smelt of lamp-oil, straw, orange-peel, horses’ provender, and sawdust; and looked a most remarkable sort of Centaur, compounded of the stable and the play-house. Return to Original English Version

soared /sɔːrd/ — alçou voo; subiu muito; disparou. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy. Return to Original English Version

sobbing /ˈsɑːbɪŋ/ — soluçando; aos soluços. There was another silence; and then she exclaimed, sobbing with her hands before her face, ‘Oh, give me my clothes, give me my clothes, and let me go away before I break my heart!’ Return to Original English Version

solemnity /səˈlɛmnəti/ — solenidade. ‘Why has he been - so very much - Goosed?’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, forcing the word out of himself, with great solemnity and reluctance. Return to Original English Version

somethingological /ˌsʌmθɪŋəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/ — algo-ológico. ‘Go and be somethingological directly.’ Mrs. Gradgrind was not a scientific character, and usually dismissed her children to their studies with this general injunction to choose their pursuit. Return to Original English Version

sonorous /səˈnɔːrəs/ — sonoro; grave e cheio. His pride in having at any time of his life achieved such a great social distinction as to be a nuisance, an incumbrance, and a pest, was only to be satisfied by three sonorous repetitions of the boast. Return to Original English Version

sop /sɒp/ — gesto pequeno. As wet as a sop. Return to Original English Version

spade /speɪd/ — pá (gastar dinheiro com a pá, às mancheias). I call a spade a spade; and I call the mother of Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, without any fear or any favour, what I should call her if she had been the mother of Dick Jones of Wapping. Return to Original English Version

sparkled /ˈspɑːrkəld/ — cintilavam; brilhavam. Indeed, as he eagerly sparkled at them from the cellarage before mentioned, he seemed a kind of cannon loaded to the muzzle with facts, and prepared to blow them clean out of the regions of childhood at one discharge. Return to Original English Version

speaker's /ˈspiːkərz/ — do falante; do orador. The scene was a plain, bare, monotonous vault of a school-room, and the speaker’s square forefinger emphasized his observations by underscoring every sentence with a line on the schoolmaster’s sleeve. Return to Original English Version

sped /sped/ — correu veloz; acelerou. ‘If you wouldn’t mind walking in, I’ll find him directly.’ They walked in; and Sissy, having set two chairs for them, sped away with a quick light step. Return to Original English Version

splendour /ˈsplɛndər/ — esplendor. You were coming out of the Italian Opera, ma’am, in white satin and jewels, a blaze of splendour, when I hadn’t a penny to buy a link to light you.’ Return to Original English Version

sprung /sprʌŋ/ — saltou. Opening his arms wide he took her by both her hands, and would have sprung her up and down, after the riding-master manner of congratulating young ladies on their dismounting from a rapid act; but there was no rebound in Sissy, and she only stood before him crying. Return to Original English Version

squarely /ˈskwerli/ — diretamente; de frente; sem rodeios. ‘Girl number twenty,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, squarely pointing with his square forefinger, ‘I don’t know that girl. Return to Original English Version

stealthy /ˈstelθi/ — furtivo. But, the turning of the road took him by the back of the booth, and at the back of the booth a number of children were congregated in a number of stealthy attitudes, striving to peep in at the hidden glories of the place. Return to Original English Version

steaming /ˈstiːmɪŋ/ — fumegante; quente que solta vapor. ‘You are quite another father to Louisa, sir.’ Mrs. Sparsit took a little more tea; and, as she bent her again contracted eyebrows over her steaming cup, rather looked as if her classical countenance were invoking the infernal gods. Return to Original English Version

steeds /stiːdz/ — corcéis. All the mothers could (and did) dance, upon the slack wire and the tight-rope, and perform rapid acts on bare-backed steeds; none of them were at all particular in respect of showing their legs; and one of them, alone in a Greek chariot, drove six in hand into every town they came to. Return to Original English Version

steeple /ˈstiːpəl/ — campanário; torre pontiaguda. Josiah Bounderby of Coketown learnt his letters from the outsides of the shops, Mrs. Gradgrind, and was first able to tell the time upon a dial-plate, from studying the steeple clock of St. Giles’s Church, London, under the direction of a drunken cripple, who was a convicted thief, and an incorrigible vagrant. Return to Original English Version

stimulated /ˈstɪmjuleɪtɪd/ — estimulou; estimulado. It was one of the most exasperating attributes of Bounderby, that he not only sang his own praises but stimulated other men to sing them. Return to Original English Version

stipend /ˈstaɪpɛnd/ — estipêndio. MR. BOUNDERBY being a bachelor, an elderly lady presided over his establishment, in consideration of a certain annual stipend. Return to Original English Version

stocking /ˈstɑːkɪŋ/ — meia. As to a stocking, I didn’t know such a thing by name. Return to Original English Version

stoppage /ˈstɑpɪdʒ/ — parada; interrupção. The question was unexpectedly and suddenly answered for her, by the colourless boy, Bitzer, who came round the corner with such blind speed and so little anticipating a stoppage on the pavement, that he brought himself up against Mr. Gradgrind’s waistcoat and rebounded into the road. Return to Original English Version

stormed /stɔrmd/ — houve tempestade; saiu furioso. He seemed a galvanizing apparatus, too, charged with a grim mechanical substitute for the tender young imaginations that were to be stormed away. Return to Original English Version

stout /staʊt/ — grosso e resistente; robusto. Sleary himself, a stout modern statue with a money-box at its elbow, in an ecclesiastical niche of early Gothic architecture, took the money. Return to Original English Version

stow /stoʊ/ — pare com isso; cale isso. ‘Kidderminster, stow that!’ said Mr. Childers. (Master Kidderminster was Cupid’s mortal name.) Return to Original English Version

stragglers /ˈstræɡlərz/ — retardatários; desgarrados. Only a few feeble stragglers said Yes: among them Sissy Jupe. Return to Original English Version

stroked /stroʊkt/ — acariciou; alisou. Mr. E. W. B. Childers took one of his hands out of his pockets, stroked his face and chin, and looked, with a good deal of doubt and a little hope, at Mr. Gradgrind. Return to Original English Version

stroking /ˈstroʊkɪŋ/ — acariciando; afagando. If you should happen to have looked in to-night, for the purpose of telling him that you were going to do her any little service,’ said Mr. Childers, stroking his face again, and repeating his look, ‘it would be very fortunate and well-timed; very fortunate and well-timed.’ Return to Original English Version

strollers /ˈstroʊlərz/ — artistas ambulantes. ‘You have one of those strollers’ children in the school.’ Return to Original English Version

stuccoed /ˈstʌkoʊd/ — revestido de estuque. The solitary exception was the New Church; a stuccoed edifice with a square steeple over the door, terminating in four short pinnacles like florid wooden legs. Return to Original English Version

stunted /ˈstʌntɪd/ — raquíticos; de crescimento atrofiado. A space of stunted grass and dry rubbish being between him and the young rabble, he took his eyeglass out of his waistcoat to look for any child he knew by name, and might order off. Return to Original English Version

subdue /səbˈduː/ — subjugar; dominar. He stood before the fire, partly because it was a cool spring afternoon, though the sun shone; partly because the shade of Stone Lodge was always haunted by the ghost of damp mortar; partly because he thus took up a commanding position, from which to subdue Mrs. Gradgrind. Return to Original English Version

substituting /ˈsʌbstɪtuːtɪŋ/ — substituindo. In such terms, no doubt, substituting the words ‘boys and girls,’ for ‘sir,’ Thomas Gradgrind now presented Thomas Gradgrind to the little pitchers before him, who were to be filled so full of facts. Return to Original English Version

suffrages /ˈsʌfrɪdʒɪz/ — votos; apoio. A flag, floating from the summit of the temple, proclaimed to mankind that it was ‘Sleary’s Horse-riding’ which claimed their suffrages. Return to Original English Version

sulkily /ˈsʌlkɪli/ — emburradamente. ‘What are you about, Loo?’ her brother sulkily remonstrated. Return to Original English Version

sullenness /ˈsʌlənnəs/ — mau humor calado. There was an air of jaded sullenness in them both, and particularly in the girl: yet, struggling through the dissatisfaction of her face, there was a light with nothing to rest upon, a fire with nothing to burn, a starved imagination keeping life in itself somehow, which brightened its expression. Return to Original English Version

sunbeam /ˈsʌnbiːm/ — raio de sol. For, the boys and girls sat on the face of the inclined plane in two compact bodies, divided up the centre by a narrow interval; and Sissy, being at the corner of a row on the sunny side, came in for the beginning of a sunbeam, of which Bitzer, being at the corner of a row on the other side, a few rows in advance, caught the end. Return to Original English Version

superciliously /ˌsuːpərˈsɪliəsli/ — com arrogância. ‘A speaker, if the gentleman likes it better,’ said Mr. E. W. B. Childers, superciliously throwing the interpretation over his shoulder, and accompanying it with a shake of his long hair - which all shook at once. Return to Original English Version

supposititious /səˌpɑːzɪˈtɪʃəs/ — suposto; falsamente atribuído. You might hope to get some other nonsensical belief into the head of George Gradgrind, or Augustus Gradgrind, or John Gradgrind, or Joseph Gradgrind (all supposititious, non-existent persons), but into the head of Thomas Gradgrind - no, sir! Return to Original English Version

surmounted /sərˈmaʊntɪd/ — encimado; coroado por. Lady Scadgers (an immensely fat old woman, with an inordinate appetite for butcher’s meat, and a mysterious leg which had now refused to get out of bed for fourteen years) contrived the marriage, at a period when Sparsit was just of age, and chiefly noticeable for a slender body, weakly supported on two long slim props, and surmounted by no head worth mentioning. Return to Original English Version

surpassing /sərˈpæsɪŋ/ — superando; incomparável. Mrs. Gradgrind, a little, thin, white, pink-eyed bundle of shawls, of surpassing feebleness, mental and bodily; who was always taking physic without any effect, and who, whenever she showed a symptom of coming to life, was invariably stunned by some weighty piece of fact tumbling on her; Mrs. Gradgrind hoped it was a dry ditch? Return to Original English Version

surveying /sərˈveɪɪŋ/ — topografia; agrimensura. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and levelling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. Return to Original English Version

tabular /ˈtæbjələr/ — tabular; em forma de tabela. Then came the Teetotal Society, who complained that these same people _would_ get drunk, and showed in tabular statements that they did get drunk, and proved at tea parties that no inducement, human or Divine (except a medal), would induce them to forego their custom of getting drunk. Return to Original English Version

taint /teɪnt/ — mácula; mancha. Bounderby and Gradgrind now walked, was a triumph of fact; it had no greater taint of fancy in it than Mrs. Gradgrind herself. Return to Original English Version

teetotal /ˌtiːˈtoʊtəl/ — abstêmio. Then came the Teetotal Society, who complained that these same people _would_ get drunk, and showed in tabular statements that they did get drunk, and proved at tea parties that no inducement, human or Divine (except a medal), would induce them to forego their custom of getting drunk. Return to Original English Version

temperament /ˈtemprəmənt/ — temperamento; índole. ‘What does he come here cheeking us for, then?’ cried Master Kidderminster, showing a very irascible temperament. Return to Original English Version

tenderest /ˈtɛndərɪst/ — mais terno; mais delicado. They had been lectured at, from their tenderest years; coursed, like little hares. Return to Original English Version

terminating /ˈtɜːrmɪneɪtɪŋ/ — terminando; que acaba em. The solitary exception was the New Church; a stuccoed edifice with a square steeple over the door, terminating in four short pinnacles like florid wooden legs. Return to Original English Version

termth /tɜːrmθ/ — termos; condições. My latht wordth to you ith thith, Thtick to the termth of your engagement, be obedient to the Thquire, and forget uth. Return to Original English Version

thall /θæl/ — deverá; vai. ‘What thall it be, Thquire, while you wait? Return to Original English Version

thame /θeɪm/ — vergonha. ‘Ith an internal thame, upon my thoul it ith,’ said Sleary. Return to Original English Version

thath /ðæts/ — isso está acertado. ‘Thath agreed, Thquire. Return to Original English Version

thay /θeɪ/ — dizer. ‘Don’t thay nothing, Thquire. Return to Original English Version

the'll /ðiːl/ — ela vai. ‘There the ith, Thquire,’ he said, sweeping her with a professional glance as if she were being adjusted in her seat, ‘and the’ll do you juthtithe. Return to Original English Version

thecond /ˈθɛkənd/ — segundo. But on thecond thoughth, he wouldn’t have performed without hith mathter, tho ith ath broad ath ith long!’ Return to Original English Version

thed /θɛd/ — disse. I never wath much of a Cackler, Thquire, and I have thed my thay.’ Return to Original English Version

theen /θiːn/ — visto. ‘At the thame time,’ said Sleary, ‘I mutht put in my word, Thquire, tho that both thides of the banner may be equally theen. Return to Original English Version

therry /ˈθɛri/ — xerez. Thall it be Therry? Return to Original English Version

thervant /ˈθɜːrvənt/ — servo, criado. ‘Thquire!’ said Mr. Sleary, who was troubled with asthma, and whose breath came far too thick and heavy for the letter s, ‘Your thervant! Return to Original English Version

thethilia /θɛˈθɪliə/ — Cecília. If you like, Thethilia, to be prentitht, you know the natur of the work and you know your companionth. Return to Original English Version

thides /θaɪdz/ — lados. ‘At the thame time,’ said Sleary, ‘I mutht put in my word, Thquire, tho that both thides of the banner may be equally theen. Return to Original English Version

thight /θaɪt/ — quantidade. ‘You’re one of the thort, Thquire, that keepth a prethiouth thight of money out of the houthe. Return to Original English Version

thith /θɪθ/ — este, esta. Thith ith a bad piethe of bithnith, thith ith. Return to Original English Version

thithter /ˈθɪθtər/ — irmã. Emma Gordon, in whothe lap you’re a lying at prethent, would be a mother to you, and Joth’phine would be a thithter to you. Return to Original English Version

thleary /ˈθlɪəri/ — Sleary. ‘Thleary. Return to Original English Version

thomehow /θʌmˈhaʊ/ — de algum jeito. People mutht be amuthed, Thquire, thomehow,’ continued Sleary, rendered more pursy than ever, by so much talking; ‘they can’t be alwayth a working, nor yet they can’t be alwayth a learning. Return to Original English Version

thort /θɔːrt/ — curto. To thpeak plain to you, my opinion ith that you had better cut it thort, and drop it. Return to Original English Version

thoughth /θɔːtθ/ — pensamentos. But on thecond thoughth, he wouldn’t have performed without hith mathter, tho ith ath broad ath ith long!’ Return to Original English Version

thoul /θoʊl/ — alma. ‘Ith an internal thame, upon my thoul it ith,’ said Sleary. Return to Original English Version

thpeak /θpiːk/ — falar. To thpeak plain to you, my opinion ith that you had better cut it thort, and drop it. Return to Original English Version

thquire /θkwaɪər/ — senhor. ‘Thquire!’ said Mr. Sleary, who was troubled with asthma, and whose breath came far too thick and heavy for the letter s, ‘Your thervant! Return to Original English Version

throbbing /ˈθrɑːbɪŋ/ — latejante; pulsante. ‘As if, with my head in its present throbbing state, you couldn’t go and look at the shells and minerals and things provided for you, instead of circuses!’ said Mrs. Gradgrind. Return to Original English Version

throngs /θrɔːŋz/ — multidões. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

thrusting /ˈθrʌstɪŋ/ — enfiando; impelindo com força. Get out, get out!’ said Mr. Childers, thrusting his young friend from the room, rather in the prairie manner. Return to Original English Version

thtand /θtænd/ — atrapalhar. Not that I want to get rid of the child, any more than I want to thtand in her way. Return to Original English Version

thtick /θtɪk/ — manter-se fiel a. My latht wordth to you ith thith, Thtick to the termth of your engagement, be obedient to the Thquire, and forget uth. Return to Original English Version

thubject /ˈθʌbdʒɛkt/ — assunto. I’ve got my living out of the horthe-riding all my life, I know; but I conthider that I lay down the philothophy of the thubject when I thay to you, Thquire, make the betht of uth: not the wurtht!’ Return to Original English Version

thuppothed /θəˈpoʊθt/ — tido como. You’ve heard of my Clown and hith dog being thuppothed to have morrithed?’ Return to Original English Version

thwear /θwɛər/ — jurar, praguejar. I don’t pretend to be of the angel breed myself, and I don’t thay but what, when you mith’d your tip, you’d find me cut up rough, and thwear an oath or two at you. Return to Original English Version

thwearing /ˈθwɛərɪŋ/ — praguejando, jurando. But what I thay, Thquire, ith, that good tempered or bad tempered, I never did a horthe a injury yet, no more than thwearing at him went, and that I don’t expect I thall begin otherwithe at my time of life, with a rider. Return to Original English Version

tinge /tɪndʒ/ — tom leve; laivo; tingir de leve. His skin was so unwholesomely deficient in the natural tinge, that he looked as though, if he were cut, he would bleed white. Return to Original English Version

tiptop /ˈtɪptɒp/ — excelente; em ótima forma. ‘You were in the tiptop fashion, and all the rest of it,’ said Mr. Bounderby. Return to Original English Version

tolerably /ˈtɑːlərəbli/ — razoavelmente; passavelmente. ‘It’s tolerably clear to _me_,’ said Bounderby, ‘that the little puss can get small good out of such companionship.’ Return to Original English Version

toned /toʊnd/ — de tom (alto, baixo). Not the least disguise toned down or shaded off that uncompromising fact in the landscape. Return to Original English Version

tooley /ˈtuːli/ — Tooley. Among the other pleasing but always strictly moral wonders which must be seen to be believed, Signor Jupe was that afternoon to ‘elucidate the diverting accomplishments of his highly trained performing dog Merrylegs.’ He was also to exhibit ‘his astounding feat of throwing seventy-five hundred-weight in rapid succession backhanded over his head, thus forming a fountain of solid iron in mid-air, a feat never before attempted in this or any other country, and which having elicited such rapturous plaudits from enthusiastic throngs it cannot be withdrawn.’ The same Signor Jupe was to ‘enliven the varied performances at frequent intervals with his chaste Shaksperean quips and retorts.’ Lastly, he was to wind them up by appearing in his favourite character of Mr. William Button, of Tooley Street, in ‘the highly novel and laughable hippo-comedietta of The Tailor’s Journey to Brentford.’ Return to Original English Version

trailed /treɪld/ — arrastou-se; seguiu atrás; desvaneceu. It was a town of machinery and tall chimneys, out of which interminable serpents of smoke trailed themselves for ever and ever, and never got uncoiled. Return to Original English Version

tremendously /trɪˈmɛndəsli/ — tremendamente; muitíssimo. They had a little conchological cabinet, and a little metallurgical cabinet, and a little mineralogical cabinet; and the specimens were all arranged and labelled, and the bits of stone and ore looked as though they might have been broken from the parent substances by those tremendously hard instruments their own names; and, to paraphrase the idle legend of Peter Piper, who had never found his way into their nursery, If the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped at more than this, what was it for good gracious goodness’ sake, that the greedy little Gradgrinds grasped it! Return to Original English Version

trifling /ˈtraɪflɪŋ/ — insignificante; fútil; ninharia. ‘And yet, Bounderby, it would appear from this unexpected circumstance of to-day, though in itself a trifling one, as if something had crept into Thomas’s and Louisa’s minds which is - or rather, which is not - I don’t know that I can express myself better than by saying - which has never been intended to be developed, and in which their reason has no part.’ Return to Original English Version

triumphant /traɪˈʌmfənt/ — triunfante. A town so sacred to fact, and so triumphant in its assertion, of course got on well? Return to Original English Version

trivialities /ˌtrɪviˈælətiz/ — trivialidades; assuntos sem importância. Thomas Gradgrind took no heed of these trivialities of course, but passed on as a practical man ought to pass on, either brushing the noisy insects from his thoughts, or consigning them to the House of Correction. Return to Original English Version

tumbler /ˈtʌmblər/ — copo de vidro sem pé. At the time when, to have been a tumbler in the mud of the streets, would have been a godsend to me, a prize in the lottery to me, you were at the Italian Opera. Return to Original English Version

tumblers /ˈtʌmblərz/ — copos sem haste. Here, for example, I have been speaking to you this morning about tumblers. Return to Original English Version

turfy /ˈtɜːrfi/ — gramado; ligado a corridas de cavalos. Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy. Return to Original English Version

twirl /twɜːrl/ — girar; rodopiar. The father of one of the families was in the habit of balancing the father of another of the families on the top of a great pole; the father of a third family often made a pyramid of both those fathers, with Master Kidderminster for the apex, and himself for the base; all the fathers could dance upon rolling casks, stand upon bottles, catch knives and balls, twirl hand-basins, ride upon anything, jump over everything, and stick at nothing. Return to Original English Version

tyrolean /tɪˈroʊliən/ — tirolês; do Tirol. Miss Josephine Sleary, as some very long and very narrow strips of printed bill announced, was then inaugurating the entertainments with her graceful equestrian Tyrolean flower-act. Return to Original English Version

unaccommodating /ˌʌnəˈkɒmədeɪtɪŋ/ — pouco cooperativo; inflexível. The speaker’s obstinate carriage, square coat, square legs, square shoulders, - nay, his very neckcloth, trained to take him by the throat with an unaccommodating grasp, like a stubborn fact, as it was, - all helped the emphasis. Return to Original English Version

uncoiled /ˌənˈkɔɪld/ — desenrolou. It was a town of machinery and tall chimneys, out of which interminable serpents of smoke trailed themselves for ever and ever, and never got uncoiled. Return to Original English Version

uncompromising /ʌnˈkɑːmprəmaɪzɪŋ/ — intransigente. Not the least disguise toned down or shaded off that uncompromising fact in the landscape. Return to Original English Version

unconsciousness /ˌənˈkɑnʃəsnɪs/ — inconsciência. ‘Her father always had it in his head,’ resumed Childers, feigning unconsciousness of Mr. Bounderby’s existence, ‘that she was to be taught the deuce-and-all of education. Return to Original English Version

underscoring /ʌndərscɔrɪŋ/ — sublinhando. The scene was a plain, bare, monotonous vault of a school-room, and the speaker’s square forefinger emphasized his observations by underscoring every sentence with a line on the schoolmaster’s sleeve. Return to Original English Version

unfold /ʌnˈfoʊld/ — desdobrar. But she had to take her farewell of the male part of the company yet, and every one of them had to unfold his arms (for they all assumed the professional attitude when they found themselves near Sleary), and give her a parting kiss - Master Kidderminster excepted, in whose young nature there was an original flavour of the misanthrope, who was also known to have harboured matrimonial views, and who moodily withdrew. Return to Original English Version

ungraciously /ʌnˈɡreɪʃəsli/ — sem gentileza. ‘You can take one, Mr. Bounderby,’ returned Louisa, when she had coldly paused, and slowly walked across the room, and ungraciously raised her cheek towards him, with her face turned away. Return to Original English Version

unluckily /ʌnˈlʌkɪli/ — infelizmente. On coming in, she curtseyed to Mr. Bounderby, and to his friend Tom Gradgrind, and also to Louisa; but in her confusion unluckily omitted Mrs. Sparsit. Return to Original English Version

unmanageable /ʌnˈmænɪdʒəbəl/ — incontrolável; ingovernável. Then came Mr. Gradgrind and Mr. Bounderby, the two gentlemen at this present moment walking through Coketown, and both eminently practical, who could, on occasion, furnish more tabular statements derived from their own personal experience, and illustrated by cases they had known and seen, from which it clearly appeared - in short, it was the only clear thing in the case - that these same people were a bad lot altogether, gentlemen; that do what you would for them they were never thankful for it, gentlemen; that they were restless, gentlemen; that they never knew what they wanted; that they lived upon the best, and bought fresh butter; and insisted on Mocha coffee, and rejected all but prime parts of meat, and yet were eternally dissatisfied and unmanageable. Return to Original English Version

unmannerly /ʌnˈmænərli/ — malcriado. ‘What does this unmannerly boy mean,’ asked Mr. Gradgrind, eyeing him in a sort of desperation, ‘by Tight-Jeff?’ Return to Original English Version

unpolished /ʌnˈpɑːlɪʃt/ — sem refinamento; rude. ‘Well, ma’am,’ said her patron, ‘perhaps some people may be pleased to say that they do like to hear, in his own unpolished way, what Josiah Bounderby, of Coketown, has gone through. Return to Original English Version

Original Text: Rare Words (4/4)

unquestionably /ʌnˈkwestʃənəbli/ — indubitavelmente. ‘It is unquestionably true.’ Return to Original English Version

untiring /ʌnˈtaɪərɪŋ/ — incansável. Yet there was a remarkable gentleness and childishness about these people, a special inaptitude for any kind of sharp practice, and an untiring readiness to help and pity one another, deserving often of as much respect, and always of as much generous construction, as the every-day virtues of any class of people in the world. Return to Original English Version

unwholesomely /ʌnˈhoʊlsəmli/ — de modo doentio; insalubremente. His skin was so unwholesomely deficient in the natural tinge, that he looked as though, if he were cut, he would bleed white. Return to Original English Version

uth /ʌθ/ — nós. My latht wordth to you ith thith, Thtick to the termth of your engagement, be obedient to the Thquire, and forget uth. Return to Original English Version

uthe /juːθ/ — utilidade. But the riding-master eye had observed the bottle of the nine oils in her bosom, and he now interposed with ‘Leave the bottle, my dear; ith large to carry; it will be of no uthe to you now. Return to Original English Version

vagabonds /ˈvæɡəbɑːndz/ — vagabundos; vadios. ‘Now, to think of these vagabonds,’ said he, ‘attracting the young rabble from a model school.’ Return to Original English Version

vagrant /ˈveɪɡrənt/ — vagabundo; andarilho. Josiah Bounderby of Coketown learnt his letters from the outsides of the shops, Mrs. Gradgrind, and was first able to tell the time upon a dial-plate, from studying the steeple clock of St. Giles’s Church, London, under the direction of a drunken cripple, who was a convicted thief, and an incorrigible vagrant. Return to Original English Version

vaulting /ˈvɔltɪŋ/ — saltando por cima; pulando com apoio. This gentleman was mentioned in the bills of the day as Mr. E. W. B. Childers, so justly celebrated for his daring vaulting act as the Wild Huntsman of the North American Prairies; in which popular performance, a diminutive boy with an old face, who now accompanied him, assisted as his infant son: being carried upside down over his father’s shoulder, by one foot, and held by the crown of his head, heels upwards, in the palm of his father’s hand, according to the violent paternal manner in which wild huntsmen may be observed to fondle their offspring. Return to Original English Version

vaunt /vɔːnt/ — gabar; apregoar. A man who could never sufficiently vaunt himself a self-made man. Return to Original English Version

ventured /ˈventʃərd/ — arriscou; atreveu-se a; aventurou-se. One corpulent slow boy, with a wheezy manner of breathing, ventured the answer, Because he wouldn’t paper a room at all, but would paint it. Return to Original English Version

vexed /vɛkst/ — irritados; contrariados. ‘Bounderby,’ said Mr. Gradgrind, drawing a chair to the fireside, ‘you are always so interested in my young people - particularly in Louisa - that I make no apology for saying to you, I am very much vexed by this discovery. Return to Original English Version

victuals /ˈvɪtəlz/ — mantimentos; comida. She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink; Victuals and drink were the whole of her diet, And yet this old woman would NEVER be quiet. Return to Original English Version

vitality /vaɪˈtæləti/ — vitalidade. Mrs. Gradgrind, weakly smiling, and giving no other sign of vitality, looked (as she always did) like an indifferently executed transparency of a small female figure, without enough light behind it. Return to Original English Version

voithe /vɔɪθ/ — voz. My voithe ith a little huthky, Thquire, and not eathy heard by them ath don’t know me; but if you’d been chilled and heated, heated and chilled, chilled and heated in the ring when you wath young, ath often ath I have been, _your_ voithe wouldn’t have lathted out, Thquire, no more than mine.’ Return to Original English Version

waggon /ˈwæɡən/ — carroça; vagão. In the measure that he would not allow his own youth to have been attended by a single favourable circumstance, he brightened Mrs. Sparsit’s juvenile career with every possible advantage, and showered waggon-loads of early roses all over that lady’s path. Return to Original English Version

wain /weɪn/ — carroça; carro de bois. No little Gradgrind had ever known wonder on the subject, each little Gradgrind having at five years old dissected the Great Bear like a Professor Owen, and driven Charles’s Wain like a locomotive engine-driver. Return to Original English Version

waistcoat /ˈwɛskət/ — colete. A space of stunted grass and dry rubbish being between him and the young rabble, he took his eyeglass out of his waistcoat to look for any child he knew by name, and might order off. Return to Original English Version

wanton /ˈwɑntən/ — mulher devassa; libertina. ‘Now, good people all,’ said he, ‘this is wanton waste of time. Return to Original English Version

wapping /ˈwɑːpɪŋ/ — Wapping; bairro portuário de Londres. I call a spade a spade; and I call the mother of Josiah Bounderby of Coketown, without any fear or any favour, what I should call her if she had been the mother of Dick Jones of Wapping. Return to Original English Version

wath /wɒθ/ — estava. My voithe ith a little huthky, Thquire, and not eathy heard by them ath don’t know me; but if you’d been chilled and heated, heated and chilled, chilled and heated in the ring when you wath young, ath often ath I have been, _your_ voithe wouldn’t have lathted out, Thquire, no more than mine.’ Return to Original English Version

weep /wiːp/ — chorar. And when she saw them all assembled, and saw their looks, and saw no father there, she broke into a most deplorable cry, and took refuge on the bosom of the most accomplished tight-rope lady (herself in the family-way), who knelt down on the floor to nurse her, and to weep over her. Return to Original English Version

weighty /ˈweɪti/ — importante; grave; pesado. Mrs. Gradgrind, a little, thin, white, pink-eyed bundle of shawls, of surpassing feebleness, mental and bodily; who was always taking physic without any effect, and who, whenever she showed a symptom of coming to life, was invariably stunned by some weighty piece of fact tumbling on her; Mrs. Gradgrind hoped it was a dry ditch? Return to Original English Version

wheezy /ˈwiːzi/ — chiado; ofegante; roufenho. One corpulent slow boy, with a wheezy manner of breathing, ventured the answer, Because he wouldn’t paper a room at all, but would paint it. Return to Original English Version

whim /wɪm/ — capricho; impulso repentino. ‘Why, ma’am,’ he returned, ‘I am thinking about Tom Gradgrind’s whim;’ Tom Gradgrind, for a bluff independent manner of speaking - as if somebody were always endeavouring to bribe him with immense sums to say Thomas, and he wouldn’t; ‘Tom Gradgrind’s whim, ma’am, of bringing up the tumbling-girl.’ Return to Original English Version

whimpered /ˈwɪmpərd/ — choramingou; ganiu. ‘Dear me,’ whimpered Mrs. Gradgrind. Return to Original English Version

whothe /wuːðə/ — de quem. Emma Gordon, in whothe lap you’re a lying at prethent, would be a mother to you, and Joth’phine would be a thithter to you. Return to Original English Version

wickedest /ˈwɪkɪdɪst/ — o mais malvado. ‘My mother left me to my grandmother,’ said Bounderby; ‘and, according to the best of my remembrance, my grandmother was the wickedest and the worst old woman that ever lived. Return to Original English Version

widowhood /ˈwɪdoʊhʊd/ — viuvez. ‘Yes, sir,’ returned Mrs. Sparsit, with a kind of social widowhood upon her. Return to Original English Version

wilt /wɪlt/ — queres; hás de. When from thy boiling store, thou shalt fill each jar brim full by-and-by, dost thou think that thou wilt always kill outright the robber Fancy lurking within - or sometimes only maim him and distort him! Return to Original English Version

winder /ˈwaɪndər/ — manivela de corda; enrolador. They’re a very good natur’d people, my people, but they’re accuthtomed to be quick in their movementh; and if you don’t act upon my advithe, I’m damned if I don’t believe they’ll pith you out o’ winder.’ Return to Original English Version

wither /ˈwɪðər/ — murchar; secar; definhar. They wouldn’t crush and wither, if you please, sir. Return to Original English Version

woefully /ˈwoʊfəli/ — terrivelmente; tristemente; lamentavelmente. In truth, Mrs. Gradgrind’s stock of facts in general was woefully defective; but Mr. Gradgrind in raising her to her high matrimonial position, had been influenced by two reasons. Return to Original English Version

wordth /wɜːdθ/ — palavras. My latht wordth to you ith thith, Thtick to the termth of your engagement, be obedient to the Thquire, and forget uth. Return to Original English Version

workful /ˈwɜrkfəl/ — laborioso; voltado só ao trabalho. You saw nothing in Coketown but what was severely workful. Return to Original English Version

wreaths /riːðz/ — coroas de flores; espirais (de fumaça). Made up with curls, wreaths, wings, white bismuth, and carmine, this hopeful young person soared into so pleasing a Cupid as to constitute the chief delight of the maternal part of the spectators; but in private, where his characteristics were a precocious cutaway coat and an extremely gruff voice, he became of the Turf, turfy. Return to Original English Version

wretches /ˈretʃɪz/ — desgraçados; infelizes. ‘For years, ma’am, I was one of the most miserable little wretches ever seen. Return to Original English Version

wurth /wɜːθ/ — pior. But if, when you’re grown up and married and well off, you come upon any horthe-riding ever, don’t be hard upon it, don’t be croth with it, give it a Bethpeak if you can, and think you might do wurth. Return to Original English Version

wurtht /wɜːθt/ — pior. Make the betht of uth; not the wurtht. Return to Original English Version