A Tale of Two Cities

The story skips ahead five years to Tellson’s Bank in London, which the narrator describes as “very dark, very ugly, very incommodious” (55). Those who work there, however, consider this part of what makes Tellson’s respectable, and strongly object to anything new; in fact, the bank doesn’t even seem to hire anyone who isn’t already old. This, the narrator says, is “on par with the Country; which did very often disinherit its sons for suggesting improvements in laws and customs that had long been highly objectionable, but were only the more respectable” (55).

Meanwhile, Jerry Cruncher is waking up in his home in Whitefriars. When he sees his wife praying, he throws a muddy boot at her and, turning to his son, remarks, “Your mother’s a nice woman, young Jerry, going a praying agin your father’s prosperity” (58). Mrs. Cruncher pleads that she is praying “for” her husband, but Jerry continues to scold her, saying her prayers have prevented him from earning money the last few days. He instructs his son to watch her while he himself dresses and prevents his wife from saying grace when the family sits down to breakfast.

Jerry and Young Jerry walk to Tellson’s, where Jerry sits outside waiting for instructions.