Status Updates From The Old Curiosity Shop

Should possibilities be worse to bear than certainties?

[Oftentimes, yes]

conscience is an elastic&very flexible article which will bear a deal of stretching&adapt to a variety of circumstances. Some by prudent management&leaving it off piece by piece like a flannel waistcoat in warm weather even contrive in time to dispense w/it altogether, but there can be others who assume the garment&throw it off at pleasure; this being the greatest&most convenient improvement is the one most in vogue.

'Ah' said the dwarf...'that should be your grandson, neighbour!'
'Say rather that he should not be,' replied the old man. 'But he is.'

[oh snap]
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I could form no comprehension of his character unless he were one of those miserable wretches who, having made gain the sole end&object of their lives&having succeeded in amassing great riches, are constantly tortured by the dread of poverty&beset by fear of loss&ruin