AlthoughIwaslookingatBiddyasIspoke,andalthoughsheopenedhereyesverywidewhenIhadspoken,shedidnotlookatme。
`Oh,hismanners!won\'thismannersdo,then?\'askedBiddy,pluckingablack-currantleaf。
`MydearBiddy,theydoverywellhere——\'
`Oh!theydoverywellhere?\'interruptedBiddy,lookingcloselyattheleafinherhand。
`Hearmeout-butifIweretoremoveJoeintoahighersphere,asIshallhopetoremovehimwhenIfullycomeintomyproperty,theywouldhardlydohimjustice。\'
`Anddon\'tyouthinkheknowsthat?\'askedBiddy。
Itwassuchaveryprovokingquestionforithadneverinthemostdistantmanneroccurredtome,thatIsaid,snappishly,`Biddy,whatdoyoumean?\'
Biddyhavingrubbedtheleaftopiecesbetweenherhands-andthesmellofablack-currantbushhaseversincerecalledtomethateveninginthelittlegardenbythesideofthelane-said,`Haveyouneverconsideredthathemaybeproud?\'
`Proud?\'Irepeated,withdisdainfulemphasis。
`Oh!therearemanykindsofpride,\'saidBiddy,lookingfullatmeandshakingherhead;`prideisnotallofonekind——\'
`Well?Whatareyoustoppingfor?\'saidI。
`Notallofonekind,\'resumedBiddy。`Hemaybetooproudtoletanyonetakehimoutofaplacethatheiscompetenttofill,andfillswellandwithrespect。Totellyouthetruth,Ithinkheis:thoughitsoundsboldinmetosayso,foryoumustknowhimfarbetterthanIdo。\'
`Now,Biddy,\'saidI,`Iamverysorrytoseethisinyou。Ididnotexpecttoseethisinyou。Youareenvious,Biddy,andgrudging。Youaredissatisfiedonaccountofmyriseinfortune,andyoucan\'thelpshowingit。\'
`Ifyouhavethehearttothinkso,\'returnedBiddy,`sayso。Saysooverandoveragain,ifyouhavethehearttothinkso。\'
`Ifyouhavethehearttobeso,youmean,Biddy,\'saidI,inavirtuousandsuperiortone;`don\'tputitoffuponme。Iamverysorrytoseeit,andit\'sa-it\'sabadsideofhumannature。IdidintendtoaskyoutouseanylittleopportunitiesyoumighthaveafterIwasgone,ofimprovingdearJoe。Butafterthis,Iaskyounothing。Iamextremelysorrytoseethisinyou,Biddy,\'Irepeated。`It\'sa-it\'sabadsideofhumannature。\'
`Whetheryouscoldmeorapproveofme,\'returnedpoorBiddy,`youmayequallydependuponmytryingtodoallthatliesinmypower,here,atalltimes。Andwhateveropinionyoutakeawayofme,shallmakenodifferenceinmyremembranceofyou。Yetagentlemanshouldnotbeunjustneither,\'
saidBiddy,turningawayherhead。
Iagainwarmlyrepeatedthatitwasabadsideofhumannatureinwhichsentiment,waivingitsapplication,IhavesinceseenreasontothinkI
wasright,andIwalkeddownthelittlepathawayfromBiddy,andBiddywentintothehouse,andIwentoutatthegardengateandtookadejectedstrolluntilsupper-time;againfeelingitverysorrowfulandstrangethatthis,thesecondnightofmybrightfortunes,shouldbeaslonelyandunsatisfactoryasthefirst。
But,morningoncemorebrightenedmyview,andIextendedmyclemencytoBiddy,andwedroppedthesubject。PuttingonthebestclothesIhad,IwentintotownasearlyasIcouldhopetofindtheshopsopen,andpresentedmyselfbeforeMrTrabb,thetailor:whowashavinghisbreakfastintheparlourbehindhisshop,andwhodidnotthinkitworthhiswhiletocomeouttome,butcalledmeintohim。
`Well!\'saidMrTrabb,inahail-fellow-well-metkindofway。`Howareyou,andwhatcanIdoforyou?\'
MrTrabbhadslicedhishotrollintothreefeatherbeds,andwasslippingbutterinbetweentheblankets,andcoveringitup。Hewasaprosperousoldbachelor,andhisopenwindowlookedintoaprosperouslittlegardenandorchard,andtherewasaprosperousironsafeletintothewallatthesideofhisfireplace,andIdidnotdoubtthatheapsofhisprosperitywereputawayinitinbags。
`MrTrabb,\'saidI,`it\'sanunpleasantthingtohavetomention,becauseitlookslikeboasting;butIhavecomeintoahandsomeproperty。\'
AchangepassedoverMrTrabb。Heforgotthebutterinbed,gotupfromthebedside,andwipedhisfingersonthetable-cloth,exclaiming,`Lordblessmysoul!\'
`IamgoinguptomyguardianinLondon,\'saidI,casuallydrawingsomeguineasoutofmypocketandlookingatthem;`andIwantafashionablesuitofclothestogoin。Iwishtopayforthem,\'Iadded-otherwiseIthoughthemightonlypretendtomakethem-`withreadymoney。\'
`Mydearsir,\'saidMrTrabb,asherespectfullybenthisbody,openedhisarms,andtookthelibertyoftouchingmeontheoutsideofeachelbow,`don\'thurtmebymentioningthat。MayIventuretocongratulateyou?Wouldyoudomethefavourofsteppingintotheshop?\'
MrTrabb\'sboywasthemostaudaciousboyinallthatcountryside。WhenIhadenteredhewassweepingtheshop,andhehadsweetenedhislaboursbysweepingoverme。HewasstillsweepingwhenIcameoutintotheshopwithMrTrabb,andheknockedthebroomagainstallpossiblecornersandobstacles,toexpressasIunderstooditequalitywithanyblacksmith,aliveordead。
`Holdthatnoise,\'saidMrTrabb,withthegreateststernness,`orI\'llknockyourheadoff!Domethefavourtobeseated,sir。Now,this,\'saidMrTrabb,takingdownarollofcloth,andtidingitoutinaflowingmanneroverthecounter,preparatorytogettinghishandunderittoshowthegloss,`isaverysweetarticle。Icanrecommenditforyourpurpose,sir,becauseitreallyisextrasuper。Butyoushallseesomeothers。GivemeNumberFour,you!\'Totheboy,andwithadreadfullyseverestare:foreseeingthedangerofthatmiscreant\'sbrushingmewithit,ormakingsomeothersignoffamiliarity。
MrTrabbneverremovedhissterneyefromtheboyuntilhehaddepositednumberfouronthecounterandwasatasafedistanceagain。Then,hecommandedhimtobringnumberfive,andnumbereight。`Andletmehavenoneofyourtrickshere,\'saidMrTrabb,`oryoushallrepentit,youyoungscoundrel,thelongestdayyouhavetolive。\'
MrTrabbthenbentovernumberfour,andinasortofdeferentialconfidencerecommendedittomeasalightarticleforsummerwear,anarticlemuchinvogueamongthenobilityandgentry,andarticlethatitwouldeverbeanhonourtohimtoreflectuponadistinguishedfellow-townsman\'sifhemightclaimmeforafellowtownsmanhavingworn。`Areyoubringingnumbersfiveandeight,youvagabond,\'saidMrTrabbtotheboyafterthat,`orshallIkickyououtoftheshopandbringthemmyself?\'
Iselectedthematerialsforasuit,withtheassistanceofMrTrabb\'sjudgment,andre-enteredtheparlourtobemeasured。For,althoughMrTrabbhadmymeasurealready,andhadpreviouslybeenquitecontentedwithit,hesaidapologeticallythatit`wouldn\'tdounderexistingcircumstances,sir-wouldn\'tdoatall。\'So,MrTrabbmeasuredandcalculatedme,intheparlour,asifIwereanestateandhethefinestspeciesofsurveyor,andgavehimselfsuchaworldoftroublethatIfeltthatnosuitofclothescouldpossiblyremuneratehimforhispains。WhenhehadatlastdoneandhadappointedtosendthearticlestoMrPumblechook\'sontheThursdayevening,hesaid,withhishandupontheparlourlock,`Iknow,sir,thatLondongentlemencannotbeexpectedtopatronizelocalwork,asarule;
butifyouwouldgivemeaturnnowandtheninthequalityofatownsman,Ishouldgreatlyesteemit。Goodmorning,sir,muchobliged-Door!\'
Thelastwordwasflungattheboy,whohadnottheleastnotionwhatitmeant。ButIsawhimcollapseashismasterrubbedmeoutwithhishands,andmyfirstdecidedexperienceofthestupendouspowerofmoney,was,thatithadmorallylaiduponhisback,Trabb\'sboy。
Afterthismemorableevent,Iwenttothehatter\'s,andthebootmaker\'s,andthehosier\'s,andfeltratherlikeMotherHubbard\'sdogwhoseoutfitrequiredtheservicesofsomanytrades。Ialsowenttothecoach-officeandtookmyplaceforseveno\'clockonSaturdaymorning。ItwasnotnecessarytoexplaineverywherethatIhadcomeintoahandsomeproperty;butwheneverIsaidanythingtothateffect,itfollowedthattheofficiatingtradesmanceasedtohavehisattentiondivertedthroughthewindowbytheHigh-street,andconcentratedhisminduponme。WhenIhadorderedeverythingIwanted,IdirectedmystepstowardsPumblechook\'s,and,asIapproachedthatgentleman\'splaceofbusiness,Isawhimstandingathisdoor。
Hewaswaitingformewithgreatimpatience。Hehadbeenoutearlywiththechaise-cart,andhadcalledattheforgeandheardthenews。HehadpreparedacollationformeintheBarnwellparlour,andhetooorderedhisshopmanto`comeoutofthegangway\'asmysacredpersonpassed。
`Mydearfriend,\'saidMrPumblechook,takingmebybothhands,whenheandIandthecollationwerealone,`Igiveyoujoyofyourgoodfortune。
Welldeserved,welldeserved!\'
Thiswascomingtothepoint,andIthoughtitasensiblewayofexpressinghimself。
`Tothink,\'saidMrPumblechook,aftersnortingadmirationatmeforsomemoments,`thatIshouldhavebeenthehumbleinstrumentofleadinguptothis,isaproudreward。\'
IbeggedMrPumblechooktorememberthatnothingwastobeeversaidorhinted,onthatpoint。
`Mydearyoungfriend,\'saidMrPumblechook,`ifyouwillallowmetocallyouso——\'
Imurmured`Certainly,\'andMrPumblechooktookmebybothhandsagain,andcommunicatedamovementtohiswaistcoat,whichhadanemotionalappearance,thoughitwasratherlowdown,`Mydearyoungfriend,relyuponmydoingmylittleallinyourabsence,bykeepingthefactbeforethemindofJoseph-
Joseph!\'saidMrPumblechook,inthewayofacompassionateadjuration。
`Joseph!!Joseph!!!\'Thereuponheshookhisheadandtappedit,expressinghissenseofdeficiencyinJoseph。
`Butmydearyoungfriend,\'saidMrPumblechook,`youmustbehungry,youmustbeexhausted。Beseated。HereisachickenhadroundfromtheBoar,hereisatonguehadroundfromtheBoar,here\'soneortwolittlethingshadroundfromtheBoar,thatIhopeyoumaynotdespise。ButdoI,\'saidMrPumblechook,gettingupagainthemomentafterhehadsatdown,`seeaforeme,himasIeversportedwithinhistimesofhappyinfancy?
AndmayI-mayI-?\'
ThisMayI,meantmightheshakehands?Iconsented,andhewasfervent,andthensatdownagain。
`Hereiswine,\'saidMrPumblechook。`Letusdrink,ThankstoFortune,andmaysheeverpickoutherfavouriteswithequaljudgment!AndyetI
cannot,\'saidMrPumblechook,gettingupagain,`seeaforemeOne-andlikewisedrinktoOne-withoutagainexpressing-MayI-mayI-?\'
Isaidhemight,andheshookhandswithmeagain,andemptiedhisglassandturneditupsidedown。Ididthesame;andifIhadturnedmyselfupsidedownbeforedrinking,thewinecouldnothavegonemoredirecttomyhead。
MrPumblechookhelpedmetotheliverwing,andtothebestsliceoftonguenoneofthoseout-of-the-wayNoThoroughfaresofPorknow,andtook,comparativelyspeaking,nocareofhimselfatall。`Ah!poultry,poultry!Youlittlethought,\'saidMrPumblechook,apostrophizingthefowlinthedish,`whenyouwasayoungfledgling,whatwasinstoreforyou。
Youlittlethoughtyouwastoberefreshmentbeneaththishumbleroofforoneas-Callitaweakness,ifyouwill,\'saidMrPumblechook,gettingupagain,`butmayI?mayI-?\'
Itbegantobeunnecessarytorepeattheformofsayinghemight,sohediditatonce。Howheeverdiditsooftenwithoutwoundinghimselfwithmyknife,Idon\'tknow。
`Andyoursister,\'heresumed,afteralittlesteadyeating,`whichhadthehonourofbringingyouupbyhand!It\'sasadpicter,toreflectthatshe\'snolongerequaltofullyunderstandingthehonour。May——\'
Isawhewasabouttocomeatmeagain,andIstoppedhim。
`We\'lldrinkherhealth,\'saidI。
`Ah!\'criedMrPumblechook,leaningbackinhischair,quiteflaccidwithadmiration,`that\'sthewayyouknow\'em,sir!\'Idon\'tknowwhoSirwas,buthecertainlywasnotI,andtherewasnothirdpersonpresent;
`that\'sthewayyouknowthenobleminded,sir!Everforgivingandeveraffable。Itmight,\'saidtheservilePumblechook,puttingdownhisuntastedglassinahurryandgettingupagain,`toacommonperson,havetheappearanceofrepeating-butmayI-?\'
Whenhehaddoneit,heresumedhisseatanddranktomysister。`Letusneverbeblind,\'saidMrPumblechook,`toherfaultsoftemper,butitistobehopedshemeantwell。\'
Ataboutthistime,Ibegantoobservethathewasgettingflushedintheface;astomyself,Ifeltallface,steepedinwineandsmarting。
ImentionedtoMrPumblechookthatIwishedtohavemynewclothessenttohishouse,andhewasecstaticonmysodistinguishinghim。Imentionedmyreasonfordesiringtoavoidobservationinthevillage,andhelaudedittotheskies。Therewasnobodybuthimself,heintimated,worthyofmyconfidence,and-inshort,mighthe?ThenheaskedmetenderlyifI
rememberedourboyishgamesatsums,andhowwehadgonetogethertohavemeboundapprentice,and,ineffect,howhehadeverbeenmyfavouritefancyandmychosenfriend?IfIhadtakententimesasmanyglassesofwineasIhad,Ishouldhaveknownthatheneverhadstoodinthatrelationtowardsme,andshouldinmyheartofheartshaverepudiatedtheidea。
Yetforallthat,IrememberfeelingconvincedthatIhadbeenmuchmistakeninhim,andthathewasasensiblepracticalgood-heartedprimefellow。
Bydegreeshefelltoreposingsuchgreatconfidenceinme,astoaskmyadviceinreferencetohisownaffairs。Hementionedthattherewasanopportunityforagreatamalgamationandmonopolyofthecornandseedtradeonthosepremises,ifenlarged,suchashadneveroccurredbeforeinthat,oranyotherneighbourhood。Whatalonewaswantingtotherealizationofavastfortune,heconsideredtobeMoreCapital。Thosewerethetwolittlewords,morecapital。NowitappearedtohimPumblechookthatifthatcapitalweregotintothebusiness,throughasleepingpartner,sir-whichsleepingpartnerwouldhavenothingtodobutwalkin,byselfordeputy,wheneverhepleased,andexaminethebooks-andwalkintwiceayearandtakehisprofitsawayinhispocket,tothetuneoffiftypercent-itappearedtohimthatthatmightbeanopeningforayounggentlemanofspiritcombinedwithproperty,whichwouldbeworthyofhisattention。
ButwhatdidIthink?Hehadgreatconfidenceinmyopinion,andwhatdidIthink?Igaveitasmyopinion。`Waitabit!\'Theunitedvastnessanddistinctnessofthisviewsostruckhim,thathenolongeraskedifhemightshakehandswithme,butsaidhereallymust-anddid。
Wedrankallthewine,andMrPumblechookpledgedhimselfoverandoveragaintokeepJosephuptothemarkIdon\'tknowwhatmark,andtorendermeefficientandconstantserviceIdon\'tknowwhatservice。Healsomadeknowntomeforthefirsttimeinmylife,andcertainlyafterhavingkepthissecretwonderfullywell,thathehadalwayssaidofme,`Thatboyisnocommonboy,andmarkme,hisfortun\'willbenocommonfortun\'。\'
Hesaidwithatearfulsmilethatitwasasingularthingtothinkofnow,andIsaidsotoo。Finally,Iwentoutintotheair,withadimperceptionthattherewassomethingunwontedintheconductofthesunshine,andfoundthatIhadslumberouslygottotheturn-pikewithouthavingtakenanyaccountoftheroad。
There,IwasrousedbyMrPumblechook\'shailingme。Hewasalongwaydownthesunnystreet,andwasmakingexpressivegesturesformetostop。
Istopped,andhecameupbreathless。
`No,mydearfriend,\'saidhe,whenhehadrecoveredwindforspeech。
`NotifIcanhelpit。Thisoccasionshallnotentirelypasswithoutthataffabilityonyourpart-MayI,asanoldfriendandwell-wisher?MayI?\'
Weshookhandsforthehundredthtimeatleast,andheorderedayoungcarteroutofmywaywiththegreatestindignation。Then,heblessedmeandstoodwavinghishandtomeuntilIhadpassedthecrookintheroad;
andthenIturnedintoafieldandhadalongnapunderahedgebeforeIpursuedmywayhome。
IhadscantluggagetotakewithmetoLondon,forlittleofthelittleIpossessedwasadaptedtomynewstation。But,Ibeganpackingthatsameafternoon,andwildlypackedupthingsthatIknewIshouldwantnextmorning,inafictionthattherewasnotamomenttobelost。
So,Tuesday,Wednesday,andThursday,passed;andonFridaymorningIwenttoMrPumblechook\'s,toputonmynewclothesandpaymyvisittoMissHavisham。MrPumblechook\'sownroomwasgivenuptometodressin,andwasdecoratedwithcleantowelsexpresslyfortheevent。Myclotheswereratheradisappointment,ofcourse。Probablyeverynewandeagerlyexpectedgarmenteverputonsinceclothescamein,fellatrifleshortofthewearer\'sexpectation。ButafterIhadhadmynewsuiton,somehalfanhour,andhadgonethroughanimmensityofposturingwithMrPumblechook\'sverylimiteddressing-glass,inthefutileendeavourtoseemylegs,itseemedtofitmebetter。Itbeingmarketmorningataneighbouringtownsometenmilesoff,MrPumblechookwasnotathome。IhadnottoldhimexactlywhenImeanttoleave,andwasnotlikelytoshakehandswithhimagainbeforedeparting。Thiswasallasitshouldbe,andIwentoutinmynewarray:fearfullyashamedofhavingtopasstheshopman,andsuspiciousafterallthatIwasatapersonaldisadvantage,somethinglikeJoe\'sinhisSundaysuit。
IwentcircuitouslytoMissHavisham\'sbyallthebackways,andrangatthebellconstrainedly,onaccountofthestifflongfingersofmygloves。
SarahPocketcametothegate,andpositivelyreeledbackwhenshesawmesochanged;herwalnut-shellcountenancelikewise,turnedfrombrowntogreenandyellow。
`You?\'saidshe。`You,goodgracious!Whatdoyouwant?\'
`IamgoingtoLondon,MissPocket,\'saidI,`andwanttosaygood-byetoMissHavisham。\'
Iwasnotexpected,forsheleftmelockedintheyard,whileshewenttoaskifIweretobeadmitted。Afteraveryshortdelay,shereturnedandtookmeup,staringatmealltheway。
MissHavishamwastakingexerciseintheroomwiththelongspreadtable,leaningonhercrutchstick。Theroomwaslightedasofyore,andatthesoundofourentrance,shestoppedandturned。Shewasthenjustabreastoftherottedbride-cake。
`Don\'tgo,Sarah,\'shesaid。`Well,Pip?\'
`IstartforLondon,MissHavisham,to-morrow,\'IwasexceedinglycarefulwhatIsaid,`andIthoughtyouwouldkindlynotmindmytakingleaveofyou。\'
`Thisisagayfigure,Pip,\'saidshe,makinghercrutchstickplayroundme,asifshe,thefairygodmotherwhohadchangedme,werebestowingthefinishinggift。
`IhavecomeintosuchgoodfortunesinceIsawyoulast,MissHavisham,\'
Imurmured。`AndIamsogratefulforit,MissHavisham!\'
`Ay,ay!\'saidshe,lookingatthediscomfitedandenviousSarah,withdelight。`IhaveseenMrJaggers。Ihaveheardaboutit,Pip。Soyougoto-morrow?\'
`Yes,MissHavisham。\'
`Andyouareadoptedbyarichperson?\'
`Yes,MissHavisham。\'
`Notnamed?\'
`No,MissHavisham。\'
`AndMrJaggersismadeyourguardian?\'
`Yes,MissHavisham。\'
Shequitegloatedonthesequestionsandanswers,sokeenwasherenjoymentofSarahPocket\'sjealousdismay。`Well!\'shewenton;`youhaveapromisingcareerbeforeyou。Begood-deserveit-andabidebyMrJaggers\'sinstructions。\'
Shelookedatme,andlookedatSarah,andSarah\'scountenancewrungoutofherwatchfulfaceacruelsmile。`Good-bye,Pip!-youwillalwayskeepthenameofPip,youknow。\'
`Yes,MissHavisham。\'
`Good-bye,Pip!\'
Shestretchedoutherhand,andIwentdownonmykneeandputittomylips。IhadnotconsideredhowIshouldtakeleaveofher;itcamenaturallytomeatthemoment,todothis。ShelookedatSarahPocketwithtriumphinherweirdeyes,andsoIleftmyfairygodmother,withbothherhandsonhercrutchstick,standinginthemidstofthedimlylightedroombesidetherottenbridecakethatwashiddenincobwebs。
SarahPocketconductedmedown,asifIwereaghostwhomustbeseenout。Shecouldnotgetovermyappearance,andwasinthelastdegreeconfounded。
Isaid`Good-bye,MissPocket;\'butshemerelystared,anddidnotseemcollectedenoughtoknowthatIhadspoken。Clearofthehouse,ImadethebestofmywaybacktoPumblechook\'s,tookoffmynewclothes,madethemintoabundle,andwentbackhomeinmyolderdress,carryingit-
tospeakthetruth-muchmoreatmyeasetoo,thoughIhadthebundletocarry。
Andnow,thosesixdayswhichweretohaverunoutsoslowly,hadrunoutfastandweregone,andto-morrowlookedmeinthefacemoresteadilythanIcouldlookatit。Asthesixeveningshaddwindledaway,tofive,tofour,tothree,totwo,IhadbecomemoreandmoreappreciativeofthesocietyofJoeandBiddy。Onthislastevening,Idressedmyselfoutinmynewclothes,fortheirdelight,andsatinmysplendouruntilbedtime。
Wehadahotsupperontheoccasion,gracedbytheinevitableroastfowl,andwehadsomefliptofinishwith。Wewereallverylow,andnonethehigherforpretendingtobeinspirits。
Iwastoleaveourvillageatfiveinthemorning,carryingmylittlehand-portmanteau,andIhadtoldJoethatIwishedtowalkawayallalone。
Iamafraid-soreafraid-thatthispurposeoriginatedinmysenseofthecontrasttherewouldbebetweenmeandJoe,ifwewenttothecoachtogether。Ihadpretendedwithmyselfthattherewasnothingofthistaintinthearrangement;butwhenIwentuptomylittleroomonthislastnight,Ifeltcompelledtoadmitthatitmightbeso,andhadanimpulseuponmetogodownagainandentreatJoetowalkwithmeinthemorning。Ididnot。
Allnighttherewerecoachesinmybrokensleep,goingtowrongplacesinsteadoftoLondon,andhavinginthetraces,nowdogs,nowcats,nowpigs,nowmen-neverhorses。Fantasticfailuresofjourneysoccupiedmeuntilthedaydawnedandthebirdsweresinging。Then,Igotupandpartlydressed,andsatatthewindowtotakealastlookout,andintakingitfellasleep。
Biddywasastirsoearlytogetmybreakfast,that,althoughIdidnotsleepatthewindowanhour,IsmeltthesmokeofthekitchenfirewhenIstartedupwithaterribleideathatitmustbelateintheafternoon。
Butlongafterthat,andlongafterIhadheardtheclinkingoftheteacupsandwasquiteready,Iwantedtheresolutiontogodownstairs。Afterall,Iremainedupthere,repeatedlyunlockingandunstrappingmysmallportmanteauandlockingandstrappingitupagain,untilBiddycalledtomethatI
waslate。
Itwasahurriedbreakfastwithnotasteinit。Igotupfromthemeal,sayingwithasortofbriskness,asifithadonlyjustoccurredtome,`Well!IsupposeImustbeoff!\'andthenIkissedmysisterwhowaslaughingandnoddingandshakinginherusualchair,andkissedBiddy,andthrewmyarmsaroundJoe\'sneck。ThenItookupmylittleportmanteauandwalkedout。ThelastIsawofthemwas,whenIpresentlyheardascufflebehindme,andlookingback,sawJoethrowinganoldshoeaftermeandBiddythrowinganotheroldshoe。Istoppedthen,towavemyhat,anddearoldJoewavedhisstrongrightarmabovehishead,cryinghuskily`Hooroar!\'andBiddyputheraprontoherface。
Iwalkedawayatagoodpace,thinkingitwaseasiertogothanIhadsupposeditwouldbe,andreflectingthatitwouldneverhavedonetohavehadanoldshoethrownafterthecoach,insightofalltheHigh-street。
Iwhistledandmadenothingofgoing。Butthevillagewasverypeacefulandquiet,andthelightmistsweresolemnlyrising,asiftoshowmetheworld,andIhadbeensoinnocentandlittlethere,andallbeyondwassounknownandgreat,thatinamomentwithastrongheaveandsobIbrokeintotears。Itwasbythefinger-postattheendofthevillage,andI
laidmyhanduponit,andsaid,`Good-byeOmydear,dearfriend!\'
Heavenknowsweneedneverbeashamedofourtears,fortheyarerainupontheblindingdustofearth,overlyingourhardhearts。IwasbetterafterIhadcried,thanbefore-moresorry,moreawareofmyowningratitude,moregentle。IfIhadcriedbefore,IshouldhavehadJoewithmethen。
SosubduedIwasbythosetears,andbytheirbreakingoutagaininthecourseofthequietwalk,thatwhenIwasonthecoach,anditwasclearofthetown,IdeliberatedwithanachingheartwhetherIwouldnotgetdownwhenwechangedhorsesandwalkback,andhaveanothereveningathome,andabetterparting。Wechanged,andIhadnotmadeupmymind,andstillreflectedformycomfortthatitwouldbequitepracticabletogetdownandwalkback,whenwechangedagain。AndwhileIwasoccupiedwiththesedeliberations,IwouldfancyanexactresemblancetoJoeinsomemancomingalongtheroadtowardsus,andmyheartwouldbeathigh-
Asifhecouldpossiblybethere!
Wechangedagain,andyetagain,anditwasnowtoolateandtoofartogoback,andIwenton。Andthemistshadallsolemnlyrisennow,andtheworldlayspreadbeforeme。
THISISTHEENDOFTHEFIRSTSTAGEOFPIP\'SEXPECTATIONS。
Chapter20
THEjourneyfromourtowntothemetropolis,wasajourneyofaboutfivehours。Itwasalittlepastmid-daywhenthefourhorsestage-coachbywhichIwasapassenger,gotintotheraveloftrafficfrayedoutabouttheCrossKeys,Wood-street,Cheapside,London。
WeBritonshadatthattimeparticularlysettledthatitwastreasonabletodoubtourhavingandourbeingthebestofeverything:otherwise,whileIwasscaredbytheimmensityofLondon,IthinkImighthavehadsomefaintdoubtswhetheritwasnotratherugly,crooked,narrow,anddirty。
MrJaggershaddulysentmehisaddress;itwas,LittleBritain,andhehadwrittenafteritonhiscard,`justoutofSmithfield,andclosebythecoach-office。\'Nevertheless,ahackney-coachman,whoseemedtohaveasmanycapestohisgreasygreat-coatashewasyearsold,packedmeupinhiscoachandhemmedmeinwithafoldingandjinglingbarrierofsteps,asifheweregoingtotakemefiftymiles。Hisgettingonhisbox,whichIremembertohavebeendecoratedwithanoldweather-stainedpea-greenhammerclothmoth-eatenintorags,wasquiteaworkoftime。Itwasawonderfulequipage,withsixgreatcoronetsoutside,andraggedthingsbehindforIdon\'tknowhowmanyfootmentoholdonby,andaharrowbelowthem,topreventamateurfootmenfromyieldingtothetemptation。
Ihadscarcelyhadtimetoenjoythecoachandtothinkhowlikeastraw-yarditwas,andyethowlikearag-shop,andtowonderwhythehorses\'nose-bagswerekeptinside,whenIobservedthecoachmanbeginningtogetdown,asifweweregoingtostoppresently。Andstopwepresentlydid,inagloomystreet,atcertainofficeswithanopendoor,whereonwaspaintedMR。JAGGERS。
`Howmuch?\'Iaskedthecoachman。
Thecoachmananswered,`Ashilling-unlessyouwishtomakeitmore。\'
InaturallysaidIhadnowishtomakeitmore。
`Thenitmustbeashilling,\'observedthecoachman。`Idon\'twanttogetintotrouble。Iknowhim!\'HedarklyclosedaneyeatMrJaggers\'sname,andshookhishead。
Whenhehadgothisshilling,andhadincourseoftimecompletedtheascenttohisbox,andhadgotawaywhichappearedtorelievehismind,Iwentintothefrontofficewithmylittleportmanteauinmyhandandasked,WasMrJaggersathome?
`Heisnot,\'returnedtheclerk。`HeisinCourtatpresent。AmIaddressingMrPip?\'
IsignifiedthathewasaddressingMrPip。
`MrJaggersleftwordwouldyouwaitinhisroom。Hecouldn\'tsayhowlonghemightbe,havingacaseon。Butitstandstoreason,histimebeingvaluable,thathewon\'tbelongerthanhecanhelp。\'
Withthosewords,theclerkopenedadoor,andusheredmeintoaninnerchamberattheback。Here,wefoundagentlemanwithoneeye,inavelveteensuitandknee-breeches,whowipedhisnosewithhissleeveonbeinginterruptedintheperusalofthenewspaper。
`Goandwaitoutside,Mike,\'saidtheclerk。
IbegantosaythatIhopedIwasnotinterrupting-whentheclerkshovedthisgentlemanoutwithaslittleceremonyasIeversawused,andtossinghisfurcapoutafterhim,leftmealone。
MrJaggers\'sroomwaslightedbyaskylightonly,andwasamostdismalplace;theskylight,eccentricallypatchedlikeabrokenhead,andthedistortedadjoininghouseslookingasiftheyhadtwistedthemselvestopeepdownatmethroughit。Therewerenotsomanypapersabout,asIshouldhaveexpectedtosee;andthereweresomeoddobjectsabout,thatIshouldnothaveexpectedtosee-suchasanoldrustypistol,aswordinascabbard,severalstrange-lookingboxesandpackages,andtwodreadfulcastsonashelf,offacespeculiarlyswollen,andtwitchyaboutthenose。MrJaggers\'sownhigh-backedchairwasofdeadlyblackhorse-hair,withrowsofbrassnailsroundit,likeacoffin;andIfanciedIcouldseehowheleanedbackinit,andbithisforefingerattheclients。Theroomwasbutsmall,andtheclientsseemedtohavehadahabitofbackingupagainstthewall:
thewall,especiallyoppositetoMrJaggers\'schair,beinggreasywithshoulders。Irecalled,too,thattheone-eyedgentlemanhadshuffledforthagainstthewallwhenIwastheinnocentcauseofhisbeingturnedout。
IsatdownintheclientalchairplacedoveragainstMrJaggers\'schair,andbecamefascinatedbythedismalatmosphereoftheplace。Icalledtomindthattheclerkhadthesameairofknowingsomethingtoeverybodyelse\'sdisadvantage,ashismasterhad。Iwonderedhowmanyotherclerkstherewereup-stairs,andwhethertheyallclaimedtohavethesamedetrimentalmasteryoftheirfellow-creatures。Iwonderedwhatwasthehistoryofalltheoddlitterabouttheroom,andhowitcamethere。IwonderedwhetherthetwoswollenfaceswereofMrJaggers\'sfamily,and,ifheweresounfortunateastohavehadapairofsuchill-lookingrelations,whyhestuckthemonthatdustyperchfortheblacksandfliestosettleon,insteadofgivingthemaplaceathome。OfcourseIhadnoexperienceofaLondonsummerday,andmyspiritsmayhavebeenoppressedbythehotexhaustedair,andbythedustandgritthatlaythickoneverything。ButIsatwonderingandwaitinginMrJaggers\'scloseroom,untilIreallycouldnotbearthetwocastsontheshelfaboveMrJaggers\'schair,andgotupandwentout。
WhenItoldtheclerkthatIwouldtakeaturnintheairwhileIwaited,headvisedmetogoroundthecornerandIshouldcomeintoSmithfield。
So,IcameintoSmithfield;andtheshamefulplace,beingallasmearwithfilthandfatandbloodandfoam,seemedtosticktome。So,IrubbeditoffwithallpossiblespeedbyturningintoastreetwhereIsawthegreatblackdomeofSaintPaul\'sbulgingatmefrombehindagrimstonebuildingwhichabystandersaidwasNewgatePrison。Followingthewallofthejail,Ifoundtheroadwaycoveredwithstrawtodeadenthenoiseofpassingvehicles;
andfromthis,andfromthequantityofpeoplestandingabout,smellingstronglyofspiritsandbeer,Iinferredthatthetrialswereon。
WhileIlookedaboutmehere,anexceedinglydirtyandpartiallydrunkministerofjusticeaskedmeifIwouldliketostepinandhearatrialorso:informingmethathecouldgivemeafrontplaceforhalf-a-crown,whenceIshouldcommandafullviewoftheLordChiefJusticeinhiswigandrobes-mentioningthatawfulpersonagelikewaxwork,andpresentlyofferinghimatthereducedpriceofeighteenpence。AsIdeclinedtheproposalonthepleaofanappointment,hewassogoodastotakemeintoayardandshowmewherethegallowswaskept,andalsowherepeoplewerepubliclywhipped,andthenheshowedmetheDebtors\'Door,outofwhichculpritscametobehanged:heighteningtheinterestofthatdreadfulportalbygivingmetounderstandthat`fouron\'em\'wouldcomeoutatthatdoorthedayafterto-morrowateightinthemorning,tobekilledinarow。
Thiswashorrible,andgavemeasickeningideaofLondon:themoresoastheLordChiefJustice\'sproprietorworefromhishatdowntohisbootsandupagaintohispocket-handkerchiefinclusivemildewedclothes,whichhadevidentlynotbelongedtohimoriginally,andwhich,Itookitintomyhead,hehadboughtcheapoftheexecutioner。UnderthesecircumstancesIthoughtmyselfwellridofhimforashilling。
IdroppedintotheofficetoaskifMrJaggershadcomeinyet,andIfoundhehadnot,andIstrolledoutagain。Thistime,ImadethetourofLittleBritain,andturnedintoBartholomewClose;andnowIbecameawarethatotherpeoplewerewaitingaboutforMrJaggers,aswellasI。
ThereweretwomenofsecretappearancelounginginBartholomewClose,andthoughtfullyfittingtheirfeetintothecracksofthepavementastheytalkedtogether,oneofwhomsaidtotheotherwhentheyfirstpassedme,that`Jaggerswoulddoitifitwastobedone。\'Therewasaknotofthreemenandtwowomenstandingatacorner,andoneofthewomenwascryingonherdirtyshawl,andtheothercomfortedherbysaying,asshepulledherownshawloverhershoulders,`Jaggersisforhim,\'Melia,andwhatmorecouldyouhave?\'Therewasared-eyedlittleJewwhocameintotheClosewhileIwasloiteringthere,incompanywithasecondlittleJewwhomhesentuponanerrand;andwhilethemessengerwasgone,IremarkedthisJew,whowasofahighlyexcitabletemperament,performingajigofanxietyunderalamp-postandaccompanyinghimself,inakindoffrenzy,withthewords,`OhJaggerth,Jaggerth,Jaggerth!allotherthithCag-Maggerth,givemeJaggerth!\'Thesetestimoniestothepopularityofmyguardianmadeadeepimpressiononme,andIadmiredandwonderedmorethanever。
Atlength,asIwaslookingoutattheirongateofBartholomewCloseintoLittleBritain,IsawMrJaggerscomingacrosstheroadtowardsme。
Alltheotherswhowerewaiting,sawhimatthesametime,andtherewasquitearushathim。MrJaggers,puttingahandonmyshoulderandwalkingmeonathissidewithoutsayinganythingtome,addressedhimselftohisfollowers。
First,hetookthetwosecretmen。
`Now,Ihavenothingtosaytoyou,\'saidMrJaggers,throwinghisfingeratthem。`IwanttoknownomorethanIknow。Astotheresult,it\'satoss-up。Itoldyoufromthefirstitwastoss-up。HaveyoupaidWemmick?\'
`Wemadethemoneyupthismorning,sir,\'saidoneofthemen,submissively,whiletheotherperusedMrJaggers\'sface。
`Idon\'taskyouwhenyoumadeitup,orwhere,orwhetheryoumadeitupatall。HasWemmickgotit?\'
`Yes,sir,\'saidboththementogether。
`Verywell;thenyoumaygo。Now,Iwon\'thaveit!\'saidMrJaggers,wavinghishandatthemtoputthembehindhim。`Ifyousayawordtome,I\'llthrowupthecase。\'
`Wethought,MrJaggers——\'oneofthemenbegan,pullingoffhishat。
`That\'swhatItoldyounottodo,\'saidMrJaggers。`Youthought!
Ithinkforyou;that\'senoughforyou。IfIwantyou,Iknowwheretofindyou;Idon\'twantyoutofindme。NowIwon\'thaveit。Iwon\'thearaword。\'
ThetwomenlookedatoneanotherasMrJaggerswavedthembehindagain,andhumblyfellbackandwereheardnomore。
`Andnowyou!\'saidMrJaggers,suddenlystopping,andturningonthetwowomenwiththeshawls,fromwhomthethreemenhadmeeklyseparated-
`Oh!Amelia,isit?\'
`Yes,MrJaggers。\'
`Anddoyouremember,\'retortedMrJaggers,`thatbutformeyouwouldn\'tbehereandcouldn\'tbehere?\'
`Ohyes,sir!\'exclaimedbothwomentogether。`Lordblessyou,sir,wellweknowsthat!\'
`Thenwhy,\'saidMrJaggers,`doyoucomehere?\'
`MyBill,sir!\'thecryingwomanpleaded。
`Now,Itellyouwhat!\'saidMrJaggers。`Onceforall。Ifyoudon\'tknowthatyourBill\'singoodhands,Iknowit。Andifyoucomehere,botheringaboutyourBill,I\'llmakeanexampleofbothyourBillandyou,andlethimslipthroughmyfingers。HaveyoupaidWemmick?\'
`Ohyes,sir!Everyfarden。\'
`Verywell。Thenyouhavedoneallyouhavegottodo。Sayanotherword-onesingleword-andWemmickshallgiveyouyourmoneyback。\'
Thisterriblethreatcausedthetwowomentofalloffimmediately。NooneremainednowbuttheexcitableJew,whohadalreadyraisedtheskirtsofMrJaggers\'scoattohislipsseveraltimes。
`Idon\'tknowthisman!\'saidMrJaggers,inthesamedevastatingstrain:
`Whatdoesthisfellowwant?\'
`MathearMithterJaggerth。HownbrothertoHabrahamLatharuth?\'
`Who\'she?\'saidMrJaggers。`Letgoofmycoat。\'
Thesuitor,kissingthehemofthegarmentagainbeforerelinquishingit,replied,`HabrahamLatharuth,onthuthpithionofplate。\'
`You\'retoolate,\'saidMrJaggers。`Iamovertheway。\'
`Holyfather,MithterJaggerth!\'criedmyexcitableacquaintance,turningwhite,`don\'tthayyou\'reagainHabrahamLatharuth!\'
`Iam,\'saidMrJaggers,`andthere\'sanendofit。Getoutoftheway。\'
`MithterJaggerth!Halfamoment!Myhowncuthen\'thgonetoMithterWemmickatthithprethentminute,tohofferhimhanytermth。MithterJaggerth!
Halfaquarterofamoment!Ifyou\'dhavethecondethenthuntobeboughtofffromthet\'otherthide-athanythuperiorprithe!-moneynoobject!-
MithterJaggerth-Mithter-!\'
Myguardianthrewhissupplicantoffwithsupremeindifference,andlefthimdancingonthepavementasifitwerered-hot。Withoutfurtherinterruption,wereachedthefrontoffice,wherewefoundtheclerkandthemaninvelveteenwiththefurcap。
`Here\'sMike,\'saidtheclerk,gettingdownfromhisstool,andapproachingMrJaggersconfidentially。
`Oh!\'saidMrJaggers,turningtotheman,whowaspullingalockofhairinthemiddleofhisforehead,liketheBullinCockRobinpullingatthebell-rope;`yourmancomesonthisafternoon。Well?\'
`Well,Mas\'rJaggers,\'returnedMike,inthevoiceofasuffererfromaconstitutionalcold;`arteradealo\'trouble,I\'vefoundone,sir,asmightdo。\'
`Whatishepreparedtoswear?\'
`Well,Mas\'rJaggers,\'saidMike,wipinghisnoseonhisfurcapthistime;`inageneralway,anythink。\'
MrJaggerssuddenlybecamemostirate。`Now,Iwarnedyoubefore,\'saidhe,throwinghisforefingerattheterrifiedclient,`thatifyoueverpresumedtotalkinthatwayhere,I\'dmakeanexampleofyou。Youinfernalscoundrel,howdareyoutellMEthat?\'
Theclientlookedscared,butbewilderedtoo,asifhewereunconsciouswhathehaddone。
`Spooney!\'saidtheclerk,inalowvoice,givinghimastirwithhiselbow。`SoftHead!Needyousayitfacetoface?\'
`Now,Iaskyou,youblunderingbooby,\'saidmyguardian,verysternly,`oncemoreandforthelasttime,whatthemanyouhavebroughthereispreparedtoswear?\'
Mikelookedhardatmyguardian,asifheweretryingtolearnalessonfromhisface,andslowlyreplied,`Aythertocharacter,ortohavingbeeninhiscompanyandneverlefthimallthenightinquestion。\'
`Now,becareful。Inwhatstationoflifeisthisman?\'
Mikelookedathiscap,andlookedatthefloor,andlookedattheceiling,andlookedattheclerk,andevenlookedatme,beforebeginningtoreplyinanervousmanner,`We\'vedressedhimuplike——\'whenmyguardianblusteredout:
`What?YouWILL,willyou?\'
`Spooney!\'addedtheclerkagain,withanotherstir。
Aftersomehelplesscastingabout,Mikebrightenedandbeganagain:
`Heisdressedlikea\'spectablepieman。Asortofapastry-cook。\'
`Ishehere?\'askedmyguardian。
`Ilefthim,\'saidMike,`asettinonsomedoorstepsroundthecorner。\'
`Takehimpastthatwindow,andletmeseehim。\'
Thewindowindicated,wastheofficewindow。Weallthreewenttoit,behindthewireblind,andpresentlysawtheclientgobyinanaccidentalmanner,withamurderous-lookingtallindividual,inashortsuitofwhitelinenandapapercap。Thisguilelessconfectionerwasnotbyanymeanssober,andhadablackeyeinthegreenstageofrecovery,whichwaspaintedover。
`Tellhimtotakehiswitnessawaydirectly,\'saidmyguardiantotheclerk,inextremedisgust,`andaskhimwhathemeansbybringingsuchafellowasthat。\'
Myguardianthentookmeintohisownroom,andwhilehelunched,standing,fromasandwich-boxandapocketflaskofsherryheseemedtobullyhisverysandwichasheateit,informedmewhatarrangementshehadmadeforme。Iwastogoto`Barnard\'sInn,\'toyoungMrPocket\'srooms,whereabedhadbeensentinformyaccommodation;IwastoremainwithyoungMrPocketuntilMonday;onMondayIwastogowithhimtohisfather\'shouseonavisit,thatImighttryhowIlikedit。Also,Iwastoldwhatmyallowancewastobe-itwasaveryliberalone-andhadhandedtomefromoneofmyguardian\'sdrawers,thecardsofcertaintradesmenwithwhomIwastodealforallkindsofclothes,andsuchotherthingsasI
couldinreasonwant。`Youwillfindyourcreditgood,MrPip,\'saidmyguardian,whoseflaskofsherrysmeltlikeawholecask-full,ashehastilyrefreshedhimself,`butIshallbythismeansbeabletocheckyourbills,andtopullyouupifIfindyououtrunningtheconstable。Ofcourseyou\'llgowrongsomehow,butthat\'snofaultofmine。\'
AfterIhadponderedalittleoverthisencouragingsentiment,IaskedMrJaggersifIcouldsendforacoach?Hesaiditwasnotworthwhile,Iwassonearmydestination;Wemmickshouldwalkroundwithme,ifIpleased。
IthenfoundthatWemmickwastheclerkinthenextroom。Anotherclerkwasrungdownfromup-stairstotakehisplacewhilehewasout,andI
accompaniedhimintothestreet,aftershakinghandswithmyguardian。
Wefoundanewsetofpeoplelingeringoutside,butWemmickmadeawayamongthembysayingcoollyyetdecisively,`Itellyouit\'snouse;hewon\'thaveawordtosaytooneofyou;\'andwesoongotclearofthem,andwentonsidebyside。
Chapter21
CASTINGmyeyesonMrWemmickaswewentalong,toseewhathewaslikeinthelightofday,Ifoundhimtobeadryman,rathershortinstature,withasquarewoodenface,whoseexpressionseemedtohavebeenimperfectlychippedoutwithadull-edgedchisel。Thereweresomemarksinitthatmighthavebeendimples,ifthematerialhadbeensofterandtheinstrumentfiner,butwhich,asitwas,wereonlydints。Thechiselhadmadethreeorfouroftheseattemptsatembellishmentoverhisnose,buthadgiventhemupwithoutanefforttosmooththemoff。Ijudgedhimtobeabachelorfromthefrayedconditionofhislinen,andheappearedtohavesustainedagoodmanybereavements;for,heworeatleastfourmourningrings,besidesabroochrepresentingaladyandaweepingwillowatatombwithanurnonit。Inoticed,too,thatseveralringsandsealshungathiswatchchain,asifhewerequiteladenwithremembrancesofdepartedfriends。Hehadglitteringeyes-small,keen,andblack-andthinwidemottledlips。Hehadhadthem,tothebestofmybelief,fromfortytofiftyyears。
`SoyouwereneverinLondonbefore?\'saidMrWemmicktome。
`No,\'saidI。
`Iwasnewhereonce,\'saidMrWemmick。`Rumtothinkofnow!\'
`Youarewellacquaintedwithitnow?\'
`Why,yes,\'saidMrWemmick。`Iknowthemovesofit。\'
`Isitaverywickedplace?\'Iasked,moreforthesakeofsayingsomethingthanforinformation。
`Youmaygetcheated,robbed,andmurdered,inLondon。Butthereareplentyofpeopleanywhere,who\'lldothatforyou。\'
`Ifthereisbadbloodbetweenyouandthem,\'saidI,tosoftenitoffalittle。
`Oh!Idon\'tknowaboutbadblood,\'returnedMrWemmick;`there\'snotmuchbadbloodabout。They\'lldoit,ifthere\'sanythingtobegotbyit。\'
`Thatmakesitworse。\'
`Youthinkso?\'returnedMrWemmick。`Muchaboutthesame,Ishouldsay。\'
Heworehishatonthebackofhishead,andlookedstraightbeforehim:walkinginaself-containedwayasiftherewerenothinginthestreetstoclaimhisattention。Hismouthwassuchapostofficeofamouththathehadamechanicalappearanceofsmiling。WehadgottothetopofHolbornHillbeforeIknewthatitwasmerelyamechanicalappearance,andthathewasnotsmilingatall。
`DoyouknowwhereMrMatthewPocketlives?\'IaskedMrWemmick。
`Yes,\'saidhe,noddinginthedirection。`AtHammersmith,westofLondon。\'
`Isthatfar?\'
`Well!Sayfivemiles。\'
`Doyouknowhim?\'
`Why,you\'rearegularcross-examiner!\'saidMrWemmick,lookingatmewithanapprovingair。`Yes,Iknowhim。Iknowhim!\'
Therewasanairoftolerationordepreciationabouthisutteranceofthesewords,thatratherdepressedme;andIwasstilllookingsidewaysathisblockofafaceinsearchofanyencouragingnotetothetext,whenhesaidherewewereatBarnard\'sInn。Mydepressionwasnotalleviatedbytheannouncement,for,IhadsupposedthatestablishmenttobeanhotelkeptbyMrBarnard,towhichtheBlueBoarinourtownwasamerepublic-house。
WhereasInowfoundBarnardtobeadisembodiedspirit,orafiction,andhisinnthedingiestcollectionofshabbybuildingseversqueezedtogetherinarankcornerasaclubforTom-cats。
Weenteredthishaventhroughawicket-gate,andweredisgorgedbyanintroductorypassageintoamelancholylittlesquarethatlookedtomelikeaflatburying-ground。Ithoughtithadthemostdismaltreesinit,andthemostdismalsparrows,andthemostdismalcats,andthemostdismalhousesinnumberhalfadozenorso,thatIhadeverseen。Ithoughtthewindowsofthesetsofchambersintowhichthosehousesweredivided,wereineverystageofdilapidatedblindandcurtain,crippledflower-pot,crackedglass,dustydecay,andmiserablemakeshift;whileToLetToLetToLet,glaredatmefromemptyrooms,asifnonewwretchesevercamethere,andthevengeanceofthesoulofBarnardwerebeingslowlyappeasedbythegradualsuicideofthepresentoccupantsandtheirunholyintermentunderthegravel。AfrouzymourningofsootandsmokeattiredthisforlorncreationofBarnard,andithadstrewnashesonitshead,andwasundergoingpenanceandhumiliationasameredust-hole。Thusfarmysenseofsight;
whiledryrotandwetrotandallthesilentrotsthatrotinneglectedroofandcellar-rotofratandmouseandbugandcoaching-stablesnearathandbesides-addressedthemselvesfaintlytomysenseofsmell,andmoaned,`TryBarnard\'sMixture。\'
Soimperfectwasthisrealizationofthefirstofmygreatexpectations,thatIlookedindismayatMrWemmick。`Ah!\'saidhe,mistakingme;`theretirementremindsyouofthecountry。Soitdoesme。\'
Heledmeintoacornerandconductedmeupaflightofstairs-whichappearedtometobeslowlycollapsingintosawdust,sothatoneofthosedaystheupperlodgerswouldlookoutattheirdoorsandfindthemselveswithoutthemeansofcomingdown-toasetofchambersonthetopfloor。
MR。POCKET,JUN。,waspaintedonthedoor,andtherewasalabelontheletter-box,`Returnshortly。\'
`Hehardlythoughtyou\'dcomesosoon,\'MrWemmickexplained。`Youdon\'twantmeanymore?\'
`No,thankyou,\'saidI。
`AsIkeepthecash,\'MrWemmickobserved,`weshallmostlikelymeetprettyoften。Goodday。\'
`Goodday。\'
Iputoutmyhand,andMrWemmickatfirstlookedatitasifhethoughtIwantedsomething。Thenhelookedatme,andsaid,correctinghimself,`Tobesure!Yes。You\'reinthehabitofshakinghands?\'
Iwasratherconfused,thinkingitmustbeoutoftheLondonfashion,butsaidyes。
`Ihavegotsooutofit!\'saidMrWemmick-`exceptatlast。Veryglad,I\'msure,tomakeyouracquaintance。Goodday!\'
Whenwehadshakenhandsandhewasgone,Iopenedthestaircasewindowandhadnearlybeheadedmyself,for,thelineshadrottedaway,anditcamedownliketheguillotine。HappilyitwassoquickthatIhadnotputmyheadout。Afterthisescape,IwascontenttotakeafoggyviewoftheInnthroughthewindow\'sencrustingdirt,andtostanddolefullylookingout,sayingtomyselfthatLondonwasdecidedlyoverrated。
MrPocket,Junior\'s,ideaofShortlywasnotmine,forIhadnearlymaddenedmyselfwithlookingoutforhalfanhour,andhadwrittenmynamewithmyfingerseveraltimesinthedirtofeverypaneinthewindow,beforeIheardfootstepsonthestairs。Graduallytherearosebeforemethehat,head,neckcloth,waistcoat,trousers,boots,ofamemberofsocietyofaboutmyownstanding。Hehadapaper-bagundereacharmandapottleofstrawberriesinonehand,andwasoutofbreath。
`MrPip?\'saidhe。
`MrPocket?\'saidI。
`Dearme!\'heexclaimed。`Iamextremelysorry;butIknewtherewasacoachfromyourpartofthecountryatmidday,andIthoughtyouwouldcomebythatone。Thefactis,Ihavebeenoutonyouraccount-notthatthatisanyexcuse-forIthought,comingfromthecountry,youmightlikealittlefruitafterdinner,andIwenttoConventGardenMarkettogetitgood。\'
ForareasonthatIhad,Ifeltasifmyeyeswouldstartoutofmyhead。Iacknowledgedhisattentionincoherently,andbegantothinkthiswasadream。
`Dearme!\'saidMrPocket,Junior。`Thisdoorsticksso!\'
Ashewasfastmakingjamofhisfruitbywrestlingwiththedoorwhilethepaper-bagswereunderhisarms,Ibeggedhimtoallowmetoholdthem。
Herelinquishedthemwithanagreeablesmile,andcombatedwiththedoorasifitwereawildbeast。Ityieldedsosuddenlyatlast,thathestaggeredbackuponme,andIstaggeredbackupontheoppositedoor,andwebothlaughed。ButstillIfeltasifmyeyesmuststartoutofmyhead,andasifthismustbeadream。
`Praycomein,\'saidMrPocket,Junior。`Allowmetoleadtheway。I
amratherbarehere,butIhopeyou\'llbeabletomakeouttolerablywelltillMonday。Myfatherthoughtyouwouldgetonmoreagreeablythroughto-morrowwithmethanwithhim,andmightliketotakeawalkaboutLondon。
IamsureIshallbeveryhappytoshowLondontoyou。Astoourtable,youwon\'tfindthatbad,Ihope,foritwillbesuppliedfromourcoffee-househere,anditisonlyrightIshouldaddatyourexpense,suchbeingMrJaggers\'sdirections。AStoourlodging,it\'snotbyanymeanssplendid,becauseIhavemyownbreadtoearn,andmyfatherhasn\'tanythingtogiveme,andIshouldn\'tbewillingtotakeit,ifhehad。Thisisoursitting-room-justsuchchairsandtablesandcarpetandsoforth,yousee,astheycouldsparefromhome。Youmustn\'tgivemecreditforthetableclothandspoonsandcastors,becausetheycomeforyoufromthecoffee-house。Thisismylittlebedroom;rathermusty,butBarnard\'sismusty。Thisisyourbed-room;thefurniture\'shiredfortheoccasion,butItrustitwillanswerthepurpose;ifyoushouldwantanything,I\'llgoandfetchit。Thechambersareretired,andweshallbealonetogether,butweshan\'tfight,Idaresay。But,dearme,Ibegyourpardon,you\'reholdingthefruitallthistime。Prayletmetakethesebagsfromyou。Iamquiteashamed。\'
AsIstoodoppositetoMrPocket,Junior,deliveringhimthebags,One,Two,IsawthestartingappearancecomeintohisowneyesthatIknewtobeinmine,andhesaid,fallingback:
`Lordblessme,you\'retheprowlingboy!\'
`Andyou,\'saidI,`arethepaleyounggentleman!\'
Chapter22
THEpaleyounggentlemanandIstoodcontemplatingoneanotherinBarnard\'sInn,untilwebothburstoutlaughing。`Theideaofitsbeingyou!\'saidhe。`Theideaofitsbeingyou!\'saidI。Andthenwecontemplatedoneanotherafresh,andlaughedagain。`Well!\'saidthepaleyounggentleman,reachingouthishandgoodhumouredly,`it\'sallovernow,Ihope,anditwillbemagnanimousinyouifyou\'llforgivemeforhavingknockedyouaboutso。\'
IderivedfromthisspeechthatMrHerbertPocketforHerbertwasthepaleyounggentleman\'snamestillratherconfoundedhisintentionwithhisexecution。ButImadeamodestreply,andweshookhandswarmly。
`Youhadn\'tcomeintoyourgoodfortuneatthattime?\'saidHerbertPocket。
`No,\'saidI。
`No,\'heacquiesced:`Iheardithadhappenedverylately。Iwasratheronthelook-outforgood-fortunethen。\'
`Indeed?\'
`Yes。MissHavishamhadsentforme,toseeifshecouldtakeafancytome。Butshecouldn\'t-atallevents,shedidn\'t。\'
IthoughtitpolitetoremarkthatIwassurprisedtohearthat。
`Badtaste,\'saidHerbert,laughing,`butafact。Yes,shehadsentformeonatrialvisit,andifIhadcomeoutofitsuccessfully,IsupposeIshouldhavebeenprovidedfor;perhapsIshouldhavebeenwhat-you-may-calledittoEstella。\'
`What\'sthat?\'Iasked,withsuddengravity。
Hewasarranginghisfruitinplateswhilewetalked,whichdividedhisattention,andwasthecauseofhishavingmadethislapseofaword。
`Affianced,\'heexplained,stillbusywiththefruit。`Betrothed。Engaged。
What\'s-his-named。Anywordofthatsort。\'
`Howdidyoubearyourdisappointment?\'Iasked。
`Pooh!\'saidhe,`Ididn\'tcaremuchforit。She\'saTartar。\'
`MissHavisham?\'
`Idon\'tsaynotothat,butImeantEstella。Thatgirl\'shardandhaughtyandcapricioustothelastdegree,andhasbeenbroughtupbyMissHavishamtowreakrevengeonallthemalesex。\'
`WhatrelationisshetoMissHavisham?\'
`None,\'saidhe。`Onlyadopted。\'
`Whyshouldshewreakrevengeonallthemalesex?Whatrevenge?\'
`Lord,MrPip!\'saidhe。`Don\'tyouknow?\'
`No,\'saidI。
`Dearme!It\'squiteastory,andshallbesavedtilldinner-time。
Andnowletmetakethelibertyofaskingyouaquestion。Howdidyoucomethere,thatday?\'
Itoldhim,andhewasattentiveuntilIhadfinished,andthenburstoutlaughingagain,andaskedmeifIwassoreafterwards?Ididn\'taskhimifhewas,formyconvictiononthatpointwasperfectlyestablished。
`MrJaggersisyourguardian,Iunderstand?\'hewenton。
`Yes。\'
`YouknowheisMissHavisham\'smanofbusinessandsolicitor,andhasherconfidencewhennobodyelsehas?\'
ThiswasbringingmeIfelttowardsdangerousground。IansweredwithaconstraintImadenoattempttodisguise,thatIhadseenMrJaggersinMissHavisham\'shouseontheverydayofourcombat,butneveratanyothertime,andthatIbelievedhehadnorecollectionofhavingeverseenmethere。
`Hewassoobligingastosuggestmyfatherforyourtutor,andhecalledonmyfathertoproposeit。OfcourseheknewaboutmyfatherfromhisconnexionwithMissHavisham。MyfatherisMissHavisham\'scousin;notthatthatimpliesfamiliarintercoursebetweenthem,forheisabadcourtierandwillnotpropitiateher。\'
HerbertPockethadafrankandeasywaywithhimthatwasverytaking。
Ihadneverseenanyonethen,andIhaveneverseenanyonesince,whomorestronglyexpressedtome,ineverylookandtone,anaturalincapacitytodoanythingsecretandmean。Therewassomethingwonderfullyhopefulabouthisgeneralair,andsomethingthatatthesametimewhisperedtomehewouldneverbeverysuccessfulorrich。Idon\'tknowhowthiswas。