下载辰思小说免费APP
`WouldyougivemetheTime？\'saidthesergeant，addressinghimselftoMrPumblechook，astoamanwhoseappreciativepowersjustifiedtheinferencethathewasequaltothetime。
`It\'sjustgonehalf-pasttwo。\'
`That\'snotsobad，\'saidthesergeant，reflecting；`evenifIwasforcedtohaltherenightwohours，that\'lldo。Howfarmightyoucallyourselvesfromthemarshes，hereabouts？Notaboveamile，Ireckon？\'
`Justamile，\'saidMrsJoe。
`That\'lldo。Webegintocloseinupon\'emaboutdusk。Alittlebeforedusk，myordersare。That\'lldo。\'
`Convicts，sergeant？\'askedMrWopsle，inamatter-of-courseway。
`Ay！\'returnedthesergeant，`two。They\'reprettywellknowntobeoutonthemarshesstill，andtheywon\'ttrytogetclearof\'embeforedusk。
Anybodyhereseenanythingofanysuchgame？\'
Everybody，myselfexcepted，saidno，withconfidence。Nobodythoughtofme。
`Well！\'saidthesergeant，`they\'llfindthemselvestrappedinacircle，Iexpect，soonerthantheycounton。Now，blacksmith！Ifyou\'reready，hisMajestytheKingis。\'
Joehadgothiscoatandwaistcoatandcravatoff，andhisleatherapronon，andpassedintotheforge。Oneofthesoldiersopeneditswoodenwindows，anotherlightenedthefire，anotherturnedtoatthebellows，thereststoodroundtheblaze，whichwassoonroaring。ThenJoebegantohammerandclink，hammerandclink，andwealllookedon。
Theinterestoftheimpendingpursuitnotonlyabsorbedthegeneralattention，butevenmademysisterliberal。Shedrewapitcherofbeerfromthecask，forthesoldiers，andinvitedthesergeanttotakeaglassofbrandy。ButMrPumblechooksaid，sharply，`Givehimwine，Mum。I\'llengagethere\'snoTarinthat:\'so，thesergeantthankedhimandsaidthatashepreferredhisdrinkwithouttar，hewouldtakewine，ifitwasequallyconvenient。Whenitwasgivenhim，hedrankhisMajesty\'shealthandComplimentsoftheSeason，andtookitallatamouthfulandsmackedhislips。
`Goodstuff，eh，sergeant？\'saidMrPumblechook。
`I\'lltellyousomething，\'returnedthesergeant；`Isuspectthatstuff\'sofyourproviding。\'
Mr。Pumblechook，withafatsortoflaugh，said，`Ay，ay？Why？\'
`Because，\'returnedthesergeant，clappinghimontheshoulder，`you\'reamanthatknowswhat\'swhat。\'
`D\'yethinkso？\'saidMrPumblechook，withhisformerlaugh。`Haveanotherglass！\'
`Withyou。Hobandnob，\'returnedthesergeant。`Thetopofminetothefootofyours-thefootofyourstothetopofmine-Ringonce，ringtwice-thebesttuneontheMusicalGlasses！Yourhealth。Mayyouliveathousandyears，andneverbeaworsejudgeoftherightsortthanyouareatthepresentmomentofyourlife！\'
Thesergeanttossedoffhisglassagainandseemedquitereadyforanotherglass。InoticedthatMrPumblechookinhishospitalityappearedtoforgetthathehadmadeapresentofthewine，buttookthebottlefromMrsJoeandhadallthecreditofhandingitaboutinagushofjoviality。EvenIgotsome。Andhewassoveryfreeofthewinethatheevencalledfortheotherbottle，andhandedthataboutwiththesameliberality，whenthefirstwasgone。
AsIwatchedthemwhiletheyallstoodclusteringabouttheforge，enjoyingthemselvessomuch，Ithoughtwhatterriblegoodsauceforadinnermyfugitivefriendonthemarsheswas。Theyhadnotenjoyedthemselvesaquartersomuch，beforetheentertainmentwasbrightenedwiththeexcitementhefurnished。Andnow，whentheywereallinlivelyanticipationof`thetwovillains\'beingtaken，andwhenthebellowsseemedtoroarforthefugitives，thefiretoflareforthem，thesmoketohurryawayinpursuitofthem，Joetohammerandclinkforthem，andallthemurkyshadowsonthewalltoshakeattheminmenaceastheblazeroseandsankandthered-hotsparksdroppedanddied，thepaleafter-noonoutside，almostseemedinmypityingyoungfancytohaveturnedpaleontheiraccount，poorwretches。
Atlast，Joe\'sjobwasdone，andtheringingandroaringstopped。AsJoegotonhiscoat，hemusteredcouragetoproposethatsomeofusshouldgodownwiththesoldiersandseewhatcameofthehunt。MrPumblechookandMrHubbledeclined，onthepleaofapipeandladies\'society；butMrWopslesaidhewouldgo，ifJoewould。Joesaidhewasagreeable，andwouldtakeme，ifMrsJoeapproved。Wenevershouldhavegotleavetogo，Iamsure，butforMrsJoe\'scuriositytoknowallaboutitandhowitended。Asitwas，shemerelystipulated，`Ifyoubringtheboybackwithhisheadblowntobitsbyamusket，don\'tlooktometoputittogetheragain。\'
Thesergeanttookapoliteleaveoftheladies，andpartedfromMrPumblechookasfromacomrade；thoughIdoubtifhewerequiteasfullysensibleofthatgentleman\'smeritsunderaridconditions，aswhensomethingmoistwasgoing。Hismenresumedtheirmusketsandfellin。MrWopsle，Joe，andI，receivedstrictchargetokeepintherear，andtospeaknowordafterwereachedthemarshes。Whenwewerealloutintherawairandweresteadilymovingtowardsourbusiness，ItreasonablywhisperedtoJoe，`Ihope，Joe，weshan\'tfindthem。\'andJoewhisperedtome，`I\'dgiveashillingiftheyhadcutandrun，Pip。\'
Wewerejoinedbynostragglersfromthevillage，fortheweatherwascoldandthreatening，thewaydreary，thefootinghad，darknesscomingon，andthepeoplehadgoodfiresin-doorsandwerekeepingtheday。A
fewfaceshurriedtoglowingwindowsandlookedafterus，butnonecameout。Wepassedthefinger-post，andheldstraightontothechurchyard。
There，wewerestoppedafewminutesbyasignalfromthesergeant\'shand，whiletwoorthreeofhismendispersedthemselvesamongthegraves，andalsoexaminedtheporch。Theycameinagainwithoutfindinganything，andthenwestruckoutontheopenmarshes，throughthegateatthesideofthechurchyard。Abittersleetcamerattlingagainstushereontheeastwind，andJoetookmeonhisback。
NowthatweareoutuponthedismalwildernesswheretheylittlethoughtIhadbeenwithineightorninehoursandhadseenbothmenhiding，Iconsideredforthefirsttime，withgreatdread，ifweshouldcomeuponthem，wouldmyparticularconvictsupposethatitwasIwhohadbroughtthesoldiersthere？HehadaskedmeifIwasadeceivingimp，andhehadsaidIshouldbeafierceyounghoundifIjoinedthehuntagainsthim。WouldhebelievethatIwasbothimpandhoundintreacherousearnest，andhadbetrayedhim？
Itwasofnouseaskingmyselfthisquestionnow。ThereIwas，onJoe\'sback，andtherewasJoebeneathme，chargingattheditcheslikeahunter，andstimulatingMrWopslenottotumbleonhisRomannose，andtokeepupwithus。Thesoldierswereinfrontofus，extendingintoaprettywidelinewithanintervalbetweenmanandman。WeweretakingthecourseI
hadbegunwith，andfromwhichIhaddivergedinthemist。Eitherthemistwasnotoutagainyet，orthewindhaddispelledit。Underthelowredglareofsunset，thebeacon，andthegibbet，andthemoundoftheBattery，andtheoppositeshoreoftheriver，wereplain，thoughallofawateryleadcolour。
WithmyheartthumpinglikeablacksmithatJoe\'sbroadshoulder，I
lookedallaboutforanysignoftheconvicts。Icouldseenone，Icouldhearnone。MrWopslehadgreatlyalarmedmemorethanonce，byhisblowingandhardbreathing；butIknewthesoundsbythistime，andcoulddissociatethemfromtheobjectofpursuit。Igotadreadfulstart，whenIthoughtIheardthefilestillgoing；butitwasonlyasheepbell。Thesheepstoppedintheireatingandlookedtimidlyatus；andthecattle，theirheadsturnedfromthewindandsleet，staredangrilyasiftheyheldusresponsibleforbothannoyances；but，exceptthesethings，andtheshudderofthedyingdayineverybladeofgrass，therewasnobreakinthebleakstillnessofthemarshes。
ThesoldiersweremovingoninthedirectionoftheoldBattery，andweweremovingonalittlewaybehindthem，when，allofasudden，weallstopped。For，therehadreachedusonthewingsofthewindandrain，alongshout。Itwasrepeated。Itwasatadistancetowardstheeast，butitwaslongandloud。Nay，thereseemedtobetwoormoreshoutsraisedtogether-ifonemightjudgefromaconfusioninthesound。
Tothiseffectthesergeantandthenearestmenwerespeakingundertheirbreath，whenJoeandIcameup。Afteranothermoment\'slistening，Joe(whowasagoodjudge)agreed，andMrWopsle(whowasabadjudge)
agreed。Thesergeant，adecisiveman，orderedthatthesoundshouldnotbeanswered，butthatthecourseshouldbechanged，andthathismenshouldmaketowardsit`atthedouble。\'Soweslantedtotheright(wheretheEastwas)，andJoepoundedawaysowonderfully，thatIhadtoholdontighttokeepmyseat。
Itwasarunindeednow，andwhatJoecalled，intheonlytwowordshespokeallthetime，`aWinder。\'Downbanksandupbanks，andovergates，andsplashingintodykes，andbreakingamongcoarserushes:nomancaredwherehewent。Aswecamenearertotheshouting，itbecamemoreandmoreapparentthatitwasmadebymorethanonevoice。Sometimes，itseemedtostopaltogether，andthenthesoldiersstopped。Whenitbrokeoutagain，thesoldiersmadeforitatagreaterratethanever，andweafterthem。
Afterawhile，wehadsorunitdown，thatwecouldhearonevoicecalling`Murder！\'andanothervoice，`Convicts！Runaways！Guard！Thiswayfortherunawayconvicts！\'Thenbothvoiceswouldseemtobestifledinastruggle，andthenwouldbreakoutagain。Andwhenithadcometothis，thesoldiersranlikedeer，andJoetoo。
Thesergeantraninfirst，whenwehadrunthenoisequitedown，andtwoofhismenranincloseuponhim。Theirpieceswerecockedandlevelledwhenweallranin。
`Herearebothmen！\'pantedthesergeant，strugglingatthebottomofaditch。`Surrender，youtwo！andconfoundyoufortwowildbeasts！Comeasunder！\'
Waterwassplashing，andmudwasflying，andoathswerebeingsworn，andblowswerebeingstruck，whensomemoremenwentdownintotheditchtohelpthesergeant，anddraggedout，separately，myconvictandtheotherone。Bothwerebleedingandpantingandexecratingandstruggling；butofcourseIknewthembothdirectly。
`Mind！\'saidmyconvict，wipingbloodfromhisfacewithhisraggedsleeves，andshakingtornhairfromhisfingers:`Itookhim！Igivehimuptoyou！Mindthat！\'
`It\'snotmuchtobeparticularabout，\'aidthesergeant；`it\'lldoyousmallgood，myman，beinginthesameplightyourself。Handcuffsthere！\'
`Idon\'texpectittodomeanygood。Idon\'twantittodomemoregoodthanitdoesnow，\'saidmyconvict，withagreedylaugh。`Itookhim。
Heknowsit。That\'senoughforme。\'
Theotherconvictwaslividtolookat，and，inadditiontotheoldbruisedleftsideofhisface，seemedtobebruisedandtornallover。
Hecouldnotsomuchasgethisbreathtospeak，untiltheywerebothseparatelyhandcuffed，butleaneduponasoldiertokeephimselffromfalling。
`Takenotice，guard-hetriedtomurderme，\'werehisfirstwords。
`Triedtomurderhim？\'saidmyconvict，disdainfully。`Try，andnotdoit？Itookhim，andgiv\'himup；that\'swhatIdone。Inotonlypreventedhimgettingoffthemarshes，butIdraggedhimhere-draggedhimthisfaronhiswayback。He\'sagentleman，ifyouplease，thisvillain。Now，theHulkshasgotitsgentlemanagain，throughme。Murderhim？Worthmywhile，too，tomurderhim，whenIcoulddoworseanddraghimback！\'
Theotheronestillgasped，`Hetried-hetried-to-murderme。Bear-bearwitness。\'
`Lookeehere！\'saidmyconvicttothesergeant。`Single-handedIgotclearoftheprison-ship；ImadeadashandIdoneit。Icouldha\'gotclearofthesedeath-coldflatslikewise-lookatmyleg:youwon\'tfindmuchirononit-ifIhadn\'tmadediscoverythathewashere。Lethimgofree？LethimprofitbythemeansasIfoundout？
Lethimmakeatoolofmeafreshandagain？Oncemore？No，no，no。
IfIhaddiedatthebottomthere；\'andhemadeanemphaticswingattheditchwithhismanacledhands；`I\'dhaveheldtohimwiththatgrip，thatyoushouldhavebeensafetofindhiminmyhold。\'
Theotherfugitive，whowasevidentlyinextremehorrorofhiscompanion，repeated，`Hetriedtomurderme。Ishouldhavebeenadeadmanifyouhadnotcomeup。\'
`Helies！\'saidmyconvict，withfierceenergy。`He\'saliarborn，andhe\'lldiealiar。Lookathisface；ain\'titwrittenthere？Lethimturnthoseeyesofhisonme。Idefyhimtodoit。\'
Theother，withaneffortatascornfulsmile-whichcouldnot，however，collectthenervousworkingofhismouthintoanysetexpression-lookedatthesoldiers，andlookedaboutatthemarshesandatthesky，butcertainlydidnotlookatthespeaker。
`Doyouseehim？\'pursuedmyconvict。`Doyouseewhatavillainheis？Doyouseethosegrovellingandwanderingeyes？That\'showhelookedwhenweweretriedtogether。Heneverlookedatme。\'
Theother，alwaysworkingandworkinghisdrylipsandturninghiseyesrestlesslyabouthimfarandnear，didatlastturnthemforamomentonthespeaker，withthewords，`Youarenotmuchtolookat，\'andwithahalf-tauntingglanceattheboundhands。Atthatpoint，myconvictbecamesofranticallyexasperated，thathewouldhaverusheduponhimbutfortheinterpositionofthesoldiers。`Didn\'tItellyou，\'saidtheotherconvictthen，`thathewouldmurderme，ifhecould？\'Andanyonecouldseethatheshookwithfear，andthattherebrokeoutuponhislips，curiouswhiteflakes，likethinsnow。
`Enoughofthisparley，\'saidthesergeant。`Lightthosetorches。\'
Asoneofthesoldiers，whocarriedabasketinlieuofagun，wentdownonhiskneetoopenit，myconvictlookedroundhimforthefirsttime，andsawme。IhadalightedfromJoe\'sbackonthebrinkoftheditchwhenwecameup，andhadnotmovedsince。Ilookedathimeagerlywhenhelookedatme，andslightlymovedmyhandsandshookmyhead。Ihadbeenwaitingforhimtoseeme，thatImighttrytoassurehimofmyinnocence。
Itwasnotatallexpressedtomethatheevencomprehendedmyintention，forhegavemealookthatIdidnotunderstand，anditallpassedinamoment。Butifhehadlookedatmeforanhourorforaday，Icouldnothaverememberedhisfaceeverafterwards，ashavingbeenmoreattentive。
Thesoldierwiththebasketsoongotalight，andlightedthreeorfourtorches，andtookonehimselfanddistributedtheothers。Ithadbeenalmostdarkbefore，butnowitseemedquitedark，andsoonafterwardsverydark。
Beforewedepartedfromthatspot，foursoldiersstandinginaring，firedtwiceintotheair。Presentlywesawothertorcheskindledatsomedistancebehindus，andothersonthemarshesontheoppositebankoftheriver。
`Allright，\'saidthesergeant。`March。\'
Wehadnotgonefarwhenthreecannonwerefiredaheadofuswithasoundthatseemedtoburstsomethinginsidemyear。`Youareexpectedonboard，\'saidthesergeanttomyconvict；`theyknowyouarecoming。Don\'tstraggle，myman。Closeuphere。\'
Thetwowerekeptapart，andeachwalkedsurroundedbyaseparateguard。
IhadholdofJoe\'shandnow，andJoecarriedoneofthetorches。MrWopslehadbeenforgoingback，butJoewasresolvedtoseeitout，sowewentonwiththeparty。Therewasareasonablygoodpathnow，mostlyontheedgeoftheriver，withadivergencehereandtherewhereadykecame，withaminiaturewindmillonitandamuddysluice-gate。WhenIlookedround，Icouldseetheotherlightscominginafterus。Thetorcheswecarried，droppedgreatblotchesoftheuponthetrack，andIcouldseethose，too，lyingsmokingandflaring。Icouldseenothingelsebutblackdarkness。Ourlightswarmedtheairaboutuswiththeirpitchyblaze，andthetwoprisonersseemedrathertolikethat，astheylimpedalonginthemidstofthemuskets。Wecouldnotgofast，becauseoftheirlameness；
andtheyweresospent，thattwoorthreetimeswehadtohaltwhiletheyrested。
Afteranhourorsoofthistravelling，wecametoaroughwoodenhutandalanding-place。Therewasaguardinthehut，andtheychallenged，andthesergeantanswered。Then，wewentintothehutwheretherewasasmelloftobaccoandwhitewash，andabrightfire，andalamp，andastandofmuskets，andadrum，andalowwoodenbedstead，likeanovergrownmanglewithoutthemachinery，capableofholdingaboutadozensoldiersallatonce。Threeorfoursoldierswholayuponitintheirgreat-coats，werenotmuchinterestedinus，butjustliftedtheirheadsandtookasleepystare，andthenlaydownagain。Thesergeantmadesomekindofreport，andsomeentryinabook，andthentheconvictwhomIcalltheotherconvictwasdraftedoffwithhisguard，togoonboardfirst。
Myconvictneverlookedatme，exceptthatonce。Whilewestoodinthehut，hestoodbeforethefirelookingthoughtfullyatit，orputtinguphisfeetbyturnsuponthehob，andlookingthoughtfullyatthemasifhepitiedthemfortheirrecentadventures。Suddenly，heturnedtothesergeant，andremarked:
`Iwishtosaysomethingrespectingthisescape。Itmaypreventsomepersonslayingundersuspicionalongerme。\'
`Youcansaywhatyoulike，\'returnedthesergeant，standingcoollylookingathimwithhisarmsfolded，`butyouhavenocalltosayithere。
You\'llhaveopportunityenoughtosayaboutit，andhearaboutit，beforeit\'sdonewith，youknow。\'
`Iknow，butthisisanotherpint，aseparatematter。Amancan\'tstarve；
atleastIcan\'t。Itooksomewittles，upatthewillageoveryonder-wherethechurchstandsa\'mostoutonthemarshes。\'
`Youmeanstole，\'saidthesergeant。
`AndI\'lltellyouwherefrom。Fromtheblacksmith\'s。\'
`Halloa！\'saidthesergeant，staringatJoe。
`Halloa，Pip！\'saidJoe，staringatme。
`Itwassomebrokenwittles-that\'swhatitwas-andadramofliquor，andapie。\'
`Haveyouhappenedtomisssuchanarticlesasapie，blacksmith？\'askedthesergeant，confidentially。
`Mywifedid，attheverymomentwhenyoucamein。Don\'tyouknow，Pip？\'
`So，\'saidmyconvict，turninghiseyesonJoeinamoodymanner，andwithouttheleastglanceatme；`soyou\'retheblacksmith，areyou？ThanI\'msorrytosay，I\'veeatyourpie。\'
`Godknowsyou\'rewelcometoit-sofarasitwasevermine，\'returnedJoe，withasavingremembranceofMrsJoe。`Wedon\'tknowwhatyouhavedone，butwewouldn\'thaveyoustarvedtodeathforit，poormiserablefellow-creatur-Wouldus，Pip？\'
ThesomethingthatIhadnoticedbefore，clickedintheman\'sthroatagain，andheturnedhisback。Theboathadreturned，andhisguardwereready，sowefollowedhimtothelanding-placemadeofroughstakesandstones，andsawhimputintotheboat，whichwasrowedbyacrewofconvictslikehimself。Nooneseemedsurprisedtoseehim，orinterestedinseeinghim，orgladtoseehim，orsorrytoseehim，orspokeaword，exceptthatsomebodyintheboatgrowledasiftodogs，`Giveway，you！\'whichwasthesignalforthedipoftheoars。Bythelightoftorches，wewastheblackHulklyingoutalittlewayfromthemudoftheshore，likeawickedNoah\'sark。Cribbedandbarredandmooredbymassiverustychains，theprison-shipseemedinmyyoungeyestobeironedliketheprisoners。Wesawtheboatgoalongside，andwesawhimtakenupthesideanddisappear。
Then，theendsofthetorcheswereflunghissingintothewater，andwentout，asifitwerealloverwithhim。
Chapter6
MYstateofmindregardingthepilferingfromwhichIhadbeensounexpectedlyexonerated，didnotimpelmetofrankdisclosure；butIhopeithadsomedregsofgoodatthebottomofit。
IdonotrecallthatIfeltanytendernessofconscienceinreferencetoMrsJoe，whenthefearofbeingfoundoutwasliftedoffme。ButIlovedJoe-perhapsfornobetterreasoninthoseearlydaysthanbecausethedearfellowletmelovehim-and，astohim，myinnerselfwasnotsoeasilycomposed。Itwasmuchuponmymind(particularlywhenIfirstsawhimlookingaboutforhisfile)thatIoughttotellJoethewholetruth。
YetIdidnot，andforthereasonthatImistrustedthatifIdid，hewouldthinkmeworsethanIwas。ThefearoflosingJoe\'sconfidence，andofthenceforthsittinginthechimney-corneratnightstaringdrearilyatmyforeverlostcompanionandfriend，tiedupmytongue。ImorbidlyrepresentedtomyselfthatifJoeknewit，Ineverafterwardscouldseehimatthefiresidefeelinghisfairwhisker，withoutthinkingthathewasmeditatingonit。That，ifJoeknewit，Ineverafterwardscouldseehimglance，howevercasually，atyesterday\'smeatorpuddingwhenitcameonto-day\'stable，withoutthinkingthathewasdebatingwhetherIhadbeeninthepantry。
That，ifJoeknewit，andatanysubsequentperiodofourjointdomesticliferemarkedthathisbeerwasflatorthick，theconvictionthathesuspectedTarinit，wouldbringarushofbloodtomyface。Inaword，IwastoocowardlytodowhatIknewtoberight，asIhadbeentoocowardlytoavoiddoingwhatIknewtobewrong。Ihadhadnointercoursewiththeworldatthattime，andIimitatednoneofitsmanyinhabitantswhoactinthismanner。Quiteanuntaughtgenius，Imadethediscoveryofthelineofactionformyself。
AsIwassleepybeforewewerefarawayfromtheprison-ship，Joetookmeonhisbackagainandcarriedmehome。Hemusthavehadatiresomejourneyofit，forMrWopsle，beingknockedup，wasinsuchaverybadtemperthatiftheChurchhadbeenthrownopen，hewouldprobablyhaveexcommunicatedthewholeexpedition，beginningwithJoeandmyself。Inhislaycapacity，hepersistedinsittingdowninthedamptosuchaninsaneextent，thatwhenhiscoatwastakenofftobedriedatthekitchenfire，thecircumstantialevidenceonhistrouserswouldhavehangedhimifithadbeenacapitaloffence。
Bythattime，Iwasstaggeringonthekitchenfloorlikealittledrunkard，throughhavingbeennewlysetuponmyfeet，andthroughhavingbeenfastasleep，andthroughwakingintheheatandlightsandnoiseoftongues。
AsIcametomyself(withtheaidofaheavythumpbetweentheshoulders，andtherestorativeexclamation`Yah！Wasthereeversuchaboyasthis！\'
frommysister)，IfoundJoetellingthenabouttheconvict\'sconfession，andallthevisitorssuggestingdifferentwaysbywhichhehadgotintothepantry。MrPumblechookmadeout，aftercarefullysurveyingthepremises，thathehadfirstgotupontheroofoftheforge，andhadthengotupontheroofofthehouse，andhadthenlethimselfdownthekitchenchimneybyaropemadeofhisbeddingcutintostrips；andasMrPumblechookwasverypositiveanddrovehisownchaise-cart-overeverybody-itwasagreedthatitmustbeso。MrWopsle，indeed，wildlycriedout`No！\'withthefeeblemaliceofatriedman；but，ashehadnotheory，andnocoaton，hewasunanimouslysetatnought-nottomentionhissmokinghardbehind，ashestoodwithhisbacktothekitchenfiretodrawthedampout:whichwasnotcalculatedtoinspireconfidence。
ThiswasallIheardthatnightbeforemysisterclutchedme，asaslumberousoffencetothecompany\'seyesight，andassistedmeuptobedwithsuchastronghandthatIseemedtohavefiftybootson，andtobedanglingthemallagainsttheedgesofthestairs。Mystateofmind，asIhavedescribedit，beganbeforeIwasupinthemorning，andlastedlongafterthesubjecthaddiedout，andhadceasedtobementionedsavingonexceptionaloccasions。
Chapter7
ATthetimewhenIstoodinthechurchyard，readingthefamilytombstones，Ihadjustenoughlearningtobeabletospellthemout。Myconstructionevenoftheirsimplemeaningwasnotverycorrect，forIread`wifeoftheAbove\'asacomplimentaryreferencetomyfather\'sexaltationtoabetterworld；andifanyoneofmydeceasedrelationshadbeenreferredtoas`Below，\'IhavenodoubtIshouldhaveformedtheworstopinionsofthatmemberofthefamily。Neither，weremynotionsofthetheologicalpositionstowhichmyCatechismboundme，atallaccurate；for，IhavealivelyremembrancethatIsupposedmydeclarationthatIwasto`walkinthesameallthedaysofmylife，\'laidmeunderanobligationalwaystogothroughthevillagefromourhouseinoneparticulardirection，andnevertovaryitbyturningdownbythewheelwright\'sorupbythemill。
WhenIwasoldenough，IwastobeapprenticedtoJoe，anduntilIcouldassumethatdignityIwasnottobewhatMrsJoecalled`Pompeyed，\'or(asIrenderit)pampered。Therefore，Iwasnotonlyodd-boyabouttheforge，butifanyneighbourhappenedtowantanextraboytofrightenbirds，orpickupstones，ordoanysuchjob，Iwasfavouredwiththeemployment。
Inorder，however，thatoursuperiorpositionmightnotbecompromisedthereby，amoney-boxwaskeptonthekitchenmantel-shelf，intowhichitwaspubliclymadeknownthatallmyearningsweredropped。IhaveanimpressionthattheyweretobecontributedeventuallytowardstheliquidationoftheNationalDebt，butIknowIhadnohopeofanypersonalparticipationinthetreasure。
MrWopsle\'sgreat-auntkeptaneveningschoolinthevillage；thatistosay，shewasaridiculousoldwomanoflimitedmeansandunlimitedinfirmity，whousedtogotosleepfromsixtoseveneveryevening，inthesocietyofyouthwhopaidtwopenceperweekeach，fortheimprovingopportunityofseeingherdoit。Sherentedasmallcottage，andMrWopslehadtheroomup-stairs，wherewestudentsusedtooverhearhimreadingaloudinamostdignifiedandterrificmanner，andoccasionallybumpingontheceiling。
TherewasafictionthatMrWopsle`examined\'thescholars，onceaquarter。
Whathedidonthoseoccasionswastoturnuphiscuffs，stickuphishair，andgiveusMarkAntony\'sorationoverthebodyofCaesar。ThiswasalwaysfollowedbyCollins\'sOdeonthePassions，whereinIparticularlyveneratedMrWopsleasRevenge，throwinghisblood-stainedswordinthunderdown，andtakingtheWar-denouncingtrumpetwithawitheringlook。Itwasnotwithmethen，asitwasinlaterlife，whenIfellintothesocietyofthePassions，andcomparedthemwithCollinsandWopsle，rathertothedisadvantageofbothgentlemen。
Mr。Wopsle\'sgreat-aunt，besideskeepingthisEducationalInstitution，kept-inthesameroom-alittlegeneralshop。Shehadnoideawhatstockshehad，orwhatthepriceofanythinginitwas；buttherewasalittlegreasymemorandum-bookkeptinadrawer，whichservedasaCatalogueofPrices，andbythisoracleBiddyarrangedalltheshoptransaction。BiddywasMrWopsle\'sgreat-aunt\'sgranddaughter；Iconfessmyselfquietunequaltotheworkingoutoftheproblem，whatrelationshewastoMrWopsle。
Shewasanorphanlikemyself；likeme，too，hadbeenbroughtupbyhand。
Shewasmostnoticeable，Ithought，inrespectofherextremities；for，herhairalwayswantedbrushing，herhandsalwayswantedwashing，andhershoesalwayswantedmendingandpullingupatheel。Thisdescriptionmustbereceivedwithaweek-daylimitation。OnSundays，shewenttochurchelaborated。
Muchofmyunassistedself，andmorebythehelpofBiddythanofMrWopsle\'sgreat-aunt，Istruggledthroughthealphabetasifithadbeenabramble-bush；gettingconsiderablyworriedandscratchedbyeveryletter。
Afterthat，Ifellamongthosethieves，theninefigures，whoseemedeveryeveningtodosomethingnewtodisguisethemselvesandbafflerecognition。
But，atlastIbegan，inapurblindgropingway，toread，write，andcipher，ontheverysmallestscale。
Onenight，Iwassittinginthechimney-cornerwithmyslate，expendinggreateffortsontheproductionofalettertoJoe。Ithinkitmusthavebeenafullyyearafterourhuntuponthemarshes，foritwasalongtimeafter，anditwaswinterandahardfrost。Withanalphabetonthehearthatmyfeetforreference，Icontrivedinanhourortwotoprintandsmearthisepistle:`MIDEERJOiOPEURKRWITEWELLiOPEiSHALSONBHABELL
42TEEDGEUJOANTHENWESHORLBSOGLODDANWENiMPRENGTD2UJOWOT
LARXANBLEVEMEINFXNPIP。\'TherewasnoindispensablenecessityformycommunicatingwithJoebyletter，inasmuchashesatbesidemeandwewerealone。But，Ideliveredthiswrittencommunication(slateandall)withmyownhand，andJoereceiveditasamiracleoferudition。
`Isay，Pip，oldchap！\'criedJoe，openinghisblueeyeswide，`whatascholaryouare！An\'tyou？\'
`Ishouldliketobe，\'saidI，glancingattheslateasheheldit:
withamisgivingthatthewritingwasratherhilly。
`Why，here\'saJ，\'saidJoe，`andaOequaltoanythink！Here\'saJ
andaO，Pip，andaJ-O，Joe。\'
IhadneverheardJoereadaloudtoanygreaterextentthanthismonosyllable，andIhadobservedatchurchlastSundaywhenIaccidentallyheldourPrayer-Bookupsidedown，thatitseemedtosuithisconveniencequiteaswellasifithadbeenright。WishingtoembracethepresentoccasionoffindingoutwhetherinteachingJoe，Ishouldhavetobeginquiteatthebeginning，Isaid，`Ah！Butreadtherest，Jo。\'
`Therest，eh，Pip？\'saidJoe，lookingatitwithaslowlysearchingeye，`One，two，three。Why，here\'sthreeJs，andthreeOs，andthreeJ-O，Joesinit，Pip！\'
IleanedoverJoe，and，withtheaidofmyforefinger，readhimthewholeletter。
`Astonishing！\'saidJoe，whenIhadfinished。`YouAREascholar。\'
`HowdoyouspellGargery，Joe？\'Iaskedhim，withamodestpatronage。
`Idon\'tspellitatall，\'saidJoe。
`Butsupposingyoudid？\'
`Itcan\'tbesupposed，\'saidJoe。`Tho\'I\'moncommonfondofreading，too。\'
`Areyou，Joe？\'
`On-common。Giveme，\'saidJoe，`agoodbook，oragoodnewspaper，andsitmedownaforeagoodfire，andIasknobetter。Lord！\'hecontinued，afterrubbinghiskneesalittle，`whenyoudocometoaJandaO，andsaysyou，"Here，atlast，isaJ-O，Joe，"howinterestingreadingis！\'
Iderivedfromthislast，thatJoe\'seducation，likeSteam，wasyetinitsinfancy，Pursuingthesubject，Iinquired:
`Didn\'tyouevergotoschool，Joe，whenyouwereaslittleasme？\'
`No，Pip。\'
`Whydidn\'tyouevergotoschool，Joe，whenyouwereaslittleasme？\'
`Well，Pip，\'saidJoe，takingupthepoker，andsettlinghimselftohisusualoccupationwhenhewasthoughtful，ofslowlyrakingthefirebetweenthelowerbars:`I\'lltellyou。Myfather，Pip，heweregiventodrink，andwhenhewereovertookwithdrink，hehammeredawayatmymother，mostonmerciful。Itwerea\'mosttheonlyhammeringhedid，indeed，\'xceptingatmyself。Andhehammeredatmewithawigouronlytobeequalledbythewigourwithwhichhedidn\'thammerathisanwil-You\'relisteningandunderstanding，Pip？\'
`Yes，Joe。\'
`\'Consequence，mymotherandmeweranawayfrommyfather，severaltimes；andthenmymothershe\'dgoouttowork，andshe\'dsay，"Joe，"she\'dsay，"now，pleaseGod，youshallhavesomeschooling，child，"andshe\'dputmetoschool。Butmyfatherwerethatgoodinhishartthathecouldn\'tabeartobewithoutus。So，he\'dcomewithamosttremenjouscrowdandmakesucharowatthedoorsofthehouseswherewewas，thattheyusedtobeobligatedtohavenomoretodowithusandtogiveusuptohim。
Andthenhetookushomeandhammeredus。Which，yousee，Pip，\'saidJoe，pausinginhismeditativerakingofthefire，andlookingatme，`wereadrawbackonmylearning。\'
`Certainly，poorJoe！\'
`Thoughmindyou，Pip，\'saidJoe，withajudicialtouchortwoofthepokeronthetopbar，`renderinguntoalltheirdoo，andmaintainingequaljusticebetwixtmanandman，myfatherwerethatgoodinhishart，don\'tyousee？\'
Ididn\'tsee；butIdidn\'tsayso。
`Well！\'Joepursued，`somebodymustkeepthepotabiling，Pip，orthepotwon\'tbile，don\'tyouknow？\'
Isawthat，andsaidso。
`\'Consequence，myfatherdidn\'tmakeobjectionstomygoingtowork；
soIwenttoworktoworkatmypresentcalling，whichwerehistoo，ifhewouldhavefollowedit，andIworkedtolerablehard，Iassureyou，Pip。IntimeIwereabletokeephim，andIkepthimtillhewentoffinapurplelepticfit。AnditweremyintentionstohavehadputuponhistombstonethatWhatsume\'erthefailingsonhispart，Rememberreaderhewerethatgoodinhishart。\'
Joerecitedthiscoupletwithsuchmanifestprideandcarefulperspicuity，thatIaskedhimifhehadmadeithimself。
`Imadeit，\'saidJoe，`myownself。Imadeitinamoment。Itwaslikestrikingoutahorseshoecomplete，inasingleblow。Ineverwassomuchsurprisedinallmylife-couldn\'tcreditmyowned-totellyouthetruth，hardlybelieveditweremyowned。AsIwassaying，Pip，itweremyintentionstohavehaditcutoverhim；butpoetrycostsmoney，cutithowyouwill，smallorlarge，anditwerenotdone。Nottomentionbearers，allthemoneythatcouldbesparedwerewantedformymother。
Shewereinpoorelth，andquitebroke。Sheweren\'tlongoffollowing，poorsoul，andhershareofpeacecomeroundatlast。\'
Joe\'sblueeyesturnedalittlewatery；herubbed，firstoneofthem，andthentheother，inamostuncongenialanduncomfortablemanner，withtheroundknobonthetopofthepoker。
`Itwerebutlonesomethen，\'saidJoe，`livingherealone，andIgotacquaintedwithyoursister。Now，Pip；\'Joelookedfirmlyatme，asifheknewIwasnotgoingtoagreewithhim；`yoursisterisafinefigureofawoman。\'
Icouldnothelplookingatthefire，inanobviousstateofdoubt。
`Whateverfamilyopinions，orwhatevertheworld\'sopinions，onthatsubjectmaybe，Pip，yoursisteris，\'Joetappedthetopbarwiththepokeraftereverywordfollowing，`a-fine-figure-of-a-woman！\'
Icouldthinkofnothingbettertosaythan`Iamgladyouthinkso，Joe。\'
`SoamI，\'returnedJoe，catchingmeup。`IamgladIthinkso，Pip。AlittlerednessoralittlematterofBone，hereorthere，whatdoesitsignifytoMe？\'
Isagaciouslyobserved，ifitdidn\'tsignifytohim，towhomdiditsignify？
`Certainly！\'assentedJoe。`That\'sit。You\'reright，oldchap！WhenI
gotacquaintedwithyoursister，itwerethetalkhowshewasbringingyouupbyhand。Verykindofhertoo，allthefolkssaid，andIsaid，alongwithallthefolks。Astoyou，\'Joepursuedwithacountenanceexpressiveofseeingsomethingverynastyindeed:`ifyoucouldhavebeenawarehowsmallandflabbyandmeanyouwas，dearme，you\'dhaveformedthemostcontemptibleopinionsofyourself！\'
Notexactlyrelishingthis，Isaid，`Nevermindme，Joe。\'
`ButIdidmindyou，Pip，\'hereturnedwithtendersimplicity。`WhenIofferedtoyoursistertokeepcompany，andtobeaskedinchurchatsuchtimesasshewaswillingandreadytocometotheforge，Isaidtoher，"Andbringthepoorlittlechild。Godblessthepoorlittlechild，"
Isaidtoyoursister，"there\'sroomforhimattheforge！"\'
Ibrokeoutcryingandbeggingpardon，andhuggedJoeroundtheneck:
whodroppedthepokertohugme，andtosay，`Everthebestoffriends；
an\'tus，Pip？Don\'tcry，oldchap！\'
Whenthislittleinterruptionwasover，Joeresumed:
`Well，yousee，Pip，andhereweare！That\'saboutwhereitlights；
hereweare！Now，whenyoutakemeinhandinmylearning，Pip(andItellyoubeforehandIamawfuldull，mostawfuldull)，MrsJoemustn\'tseetoomuchofwhatwe\'reupto。Itmustbedone，asImaysay，onthesly。Andwhyonthesly？I\'lltellyouwhy，Pip。\'
Hehadtakenupthepokeragain；withoutwhich，Idoubtifhecouldhaveproceededinhisdemonstration。
`Yoursisterisgiventogovernment。\'
`Giventogovernment，Joe？\'Iwasstartled，forIhadsomeshadowyidea(andIamafraidImustadd，hope)thatJoehaddivorcedherinafavouroftheLordsoftheAdmiralty，orTreasury。
`Giventogovernment，\'saidJoe。`WhichImeantersaythegovernmentofyouandmyself。\'
`Oh！\'
`Andshean\'toverpartialtohavingscholarsonthepremises，\'Joecontinued，`andinparticklerwouldnotbeoverpartialtomybeingascholar，forfearasImightrise。Likeasortorrebel，don\'tyousee？\'
Iwasgoingtoretortwithaninquiry，andhadgotasfaras`Why——\'
whenJoestoppedme。
`Stayabit。Iknowwhatyou\'rea-goingtosay，Pip；stayabit！Idon\'tdenythatyoursistercomestheMo-guloverus，nowandagain。Idon\'tdenythatshedothrowusback-falls，andthatshedodropdownuponusheavy。AtsuchtimesaswhenyoursisterisontheRam-page，Pip，\'Joesankhisvoicetoawhisperandglancedatthedoor，`candourcompelsfurtoadmitthatsheisaBuster。\'
Joepronouncedthisword，asifitbeganwithatleasttwelvecapitalBs。
`Whydon\'tIrise？ThatwereyourobservationwhenIbrokeitoff，Pip？\'
`Yes，Joe。\'
`Well，\'saidJoe，passingthepokerintohislefthand，thathemightfeelhiswhisker；andIhadnohopeofhimwheneverhetooktothatplacidoccupation；`yoursister\'samaster-mind。Amaster-mind。\'
`What\'sthat？\'Iasked，insomehopeofbringinghimtoastand。But，JoewasreadierwithhisdefinitionthanIhadexcepted，andcompletelystoppedmebyarguingcircularly，andansweringwithafixedlook，`Her。\'
`AndIan\'tamaster-mind，\'Joeresumed，whenhehadunfixedhislook，andgotbacktohiswhisker。`Andlastofall，Pip-andthisIwanttosayveryseroustoyou，oldchap-Iseesomuchinmypoormother，ofawomandrudgingandslavingandbreakingherhonesthartandnevergettingnopeaceinhermortaldays，thatI\'mdeadafeerdofgoingwronginthewayofnotdoingwhat\'srightbyawoman，andI\'dfurratherofthetwogowrongthet\'otherway，andbealittleill-conweniencedmyself。Iwishitwasonlymethatgotputout，Pip；Iwishtherewarn\'tnoTicklerforyou，oldchap；IwishIcouldtakeitallonmyself；butthisistheup-and-down-and-straightonit，Pip，andIhopeyou\'lloverlookshortcomings。\'
YoungasIwas，IbelievethatIdatedanewadmirationofJoefromthatnight。Wewereequalsafterwards，aswehadbeenbefore；but，afterwardsatquiettimeswhenIsatlookingatJoeandthinkingabouthim，IhadanewsensationoffeelingconsciousthatIwaslookinguptoJoeinmyheart。
`However，\'saidJoe，risingtoreplenishthefire；`here\'stheDutch-clockaworkinghimselfuptobeingequaltostrikeEightof\'em，andshe\'snotcomehomeyet！IhopeUnclePumblechook\'smaremayn\'thavesetafore-footonapieceo\'ice，andgonedown。\'
MrsJoemadeoccasionaltripswithUnclePumblechookonmarket-days，toassisthiminbuyingsuchhouseholdstuffsandgoodsasrequiredawoman\'sjudgment；UnclePumblechookbeingabachelorandreposingnoconfidencesinhisdomesticservant。Thiswasmarket-day，andMrsJoewasoutononeoftheseexpeditions。
Joemadethefireandsweptthehearth，andthenwewenttothedoortolistenforthechaise-cart。Itwasadrycoldnight，andthewindblewkeenly，andthefrostwaswhiteandhard。Amanwoulddieto-nightoflyingoutonthemarshes，Ithought。AndthenIlookedatthestars，andconsideredhowawfulifwouldbeforamantoturnhisfaceuptothemashefrozetodeath，andseenohelporpityinalltheglitteringmultitude。
`Herecomesthemare，\'saidJoe，`ringinglikeapealofbells！\'
Thesoundofherironshoesuponthehardroadwasquitemusical，asshecamealongatamuchbriskertrotthanusual。Wegotachairout，readyforMrsJoe\'salighting，andstirredupthefirethattheymightseeabrightwindow，andtookafinalsurveyofthekitchenthatnothingmightbeoutofitsplace。Whenwehadcompletedthesepreparations，theydroveup，wrappedtotheeyes。MrsJoewassoonlanded，andUnclePumblechookwassoondowntoo，coveringthemarewithacloth，andweweresoonallinthekitchen，carryingsomuchcoldairinwithusthatitseemedtodrivealltheheatoutofthefire。
`Now，\'saidMrsJoe，unwrappingherselfwithhasteandexcitement，andthrowingherbonnetbackonhershoulderswhereithungbythestrings:
`ifthisboyan\'tgratefulthisnight，heneverwillbe！\'
Ilookedasgratefulasanyboypossiblycould，whowaswhollyuninformedwhyheoughttoassumethatexpression。
`It\'sonlytobehoped，\'saidmysister，`thathewon\'tbePomp-eyed。
ButIhavemyfears。\'
`Shean\'tinthatline，Mum，\'saidMrPumblechook。`Sheknowsbetter。\'
She？IlookedatJoe，makingthemotionwithmylipsandeyebrows，`She？\'
Joelookedatme，makingthemotionwithhislipsandeyebrows，`She？\'Mysistercatchinghimintheact，hedrewthebackofhishandacrosshisnosewithhisusualconciliatoryaironsuchoccasions，andlookedather。
`Well？\'saidmysister，inhersnappishway。`Whatareyoustaringat？
Isthehousea-fire？\'
`-Whichsomeindividual，\'Joepolitelyhinted，`mentioned-she。\'
`Andsheisashe，Isuppose？\'saidmysister。`UnlessyoucallMissHavishamahe。AndIdoubtifevenyou\'llgosofarasthat。\'
`MissHavisham，uptown？\'saidJoe。
`IsthereanyMissHavishamdowntown？\'returnedmysister。
`Shewantsthisboytogoandplaythere。Andofcoursehe\'sgoing。
Andhehadbetterplaythere，\'saidmysister，shakingherheadatmeasanencouragementtobeextremelylightandsportive，`orI\'llworkhim。\'
IhadheardofMissHavishamuptown-everybodyformilesround，hadheardofMissHavishamuptown-asanimmenselyrichandgrimladywholivedinalargeanddismalhousebarricadedagainstrobbers，andwholedalifeofseclusion。
`Welltobesure！\'saidJoe，astounded。`IwonderhowshecometoknowPip！\'
`Noodle！\'criedmysister。`Whosaidsheknewhim？\'
`-Whichsomeindividual，\'Joeagainpolitelyhinted，`mentionedthatshewantedhimtogoandplaythere。\'
`Andcouldn\'tsheaskUnclePumblechookifheknewofaboytogoandplaythere？Isn\'titjustbarelypossiblethatUnclePumblechookmaybeatenantofhers，andthathemaysometimes-wewon\'tsayquarterlyorhalf-yearly，forthatwouldberequiringtoomuchofyou-butsometimes-gotheretopayhisrent？Andcouldn\'tshethenaskUnclePumblechookifheknewofaboytogoandplaythere？Andcouldn\'tUnclePumblechook，beingalwaysconsiderateandthoughtfulforus-thoughyoumaynotthinkit，Joseph，\'inatoneofthedeepestreproach，asifhewerethemostcallousofnephews，`thenmentionthisboy，standingPrancinghere\'-whichIsolemnlydeclareIwasnotdoing-`thatIhaveforeverbeenawillingslaveto？\'
`Goodagain！\'criedUnclePumblechook。`Wellput！Prettilypointed！
Goodindeed！NowJoseph，youknowthecase。\'
`No，Joseph，\'saidmysister，stillinareproachfulmanner，whileJoeapologeticallydrewthebackofhishandacrossandacrosshisnose，`youdonotyet-thoughyoumaynotthinkit-knowthecase。Youmayconsiderthatyoudo，butyoudonot，Joseph。ForyoudonotknowthatUnclePumblechook，beingsensiblethatforanythingwecantell，thisboy\'sfortunemaybemadebyhisgoingtoMissHavisham\'s，hasofferedtotakehimintotownto-nightinhisownchaise-cart，andtokeephimto-night，andtotakehimwithhisownhandstoMissHavisham\'sto-morrowmorning。AndLor-a-mussyme！\'criedmysister，castingoffherbonnetinsuddendesperation，`hereIstandtalkingtomereMooncalfs，withUnclePumblechookwaiting，andthemarecatchingcoldatthedoor，andtheboygrimedwithcrockanddirtfromthehairofhisheadtothesoleofhisfoot！\'
Withthat，shepounceduponme，likeaneagleonalamb，andmyfacewassqueezedintowoodenbowlsinsinks，andmyheadwasputundertapsofwater-butts，andIwassoaped，andkneaded，andtowelled，andthumped，andharrowed，andrasped，untilIreallywasquitebesidemyself。(ImayhereremarkthatIsupposemyselftobebetteracquaintedthananylivingauthority，withtheridgyeffectofawedding-ring，passingunsympatheticallyoverthehumancountenance。)
Whenmyablutionswerecompleted，Iwasputintocleanlinenofthestiffestcharacter，likeayoungpenitentintosackcloth，andwastrussedupinmytightestandfearfullestsuit。IwasthendeliveredovertoMrPumblechook，whoformallyreceivedmeasifheweretheSheriff，andwholetoffuponmethespeechthatIknewhehadbeendyingtomakeallalong:
`Boy，beforevergratefultoallfriends，butespeciallyuntothemwhichbroughtyouupbyhand！\'
`Good-bye，Joe！\'
`Godblessyou，Pip，oldchap！\'
Ihadneverpartedfromhisbefore，andwhatwithmyfeelingsandwhatwithsoap-suds，Icouldatfirstseenostarsfromthechaise-cart。Buttheytwinkledoutonebyone，withoutthrowinganylightonthequestionswhyonearthIwasgoingtoplayatMissHavisham\'s，andwhatonearthIwasexpectedtoplayat。
Chapter8
MRPUMBLECHOOK\'SpremisesintheHigh-streetofthemarkettown，wereofapeppercornyandfarinaceouscharacter，asthepremisesofacorn-chandlerandseedsmanshouldbe。Itappearedtomethathemustbeaveryhappymanindeed，tohavesomanylittledrawersinhisshop；andIwonderedwhenIpeepedintooneortwoonthelowertiers，andsawthetied-upbrownpaperpacketsinside，whethertheflower-seedsandbulbseverwantedofafinedaytobreakoutofthosejails，andbloom。
ItwasintheearlymorningaftermyarrivalthatIentertainedthisspeculation。Onthepreviousnight，Ihadbeensentstraighttobedinanatticwithaslopingroof，whichwassolowinthecornerwherethebedsteadwas，thatIcalculatedthetilesasbeingwithinafootofmyeyebrows。Inthesameearlymorning，Idiscoveredasingularaffinitybetweenseedsandcorduroys。MrPumblechookworecorduroys，andsodidhisshopman；
andsomehow，therewasageneralairandflavouraboutthecorduroys，somuchinthenatureofseeds，andageneralairandflavourabouttheseeds，somuchinthenatureofcorduroys，thatIhardlyknewwhichwaswhich。
ThesameopportunityservedmefornoticingthatMrPumblechookappearedtoconducthisbusinessbylookingacrossthestreetatthesaddler，whoappearedtotransacthisbusinessbykeepinghiseyeonthecoach-maker，whoappearedtogetoninlifebyputtinghishandsinhispocketsandcontemplatingthebaker，whoinhisturnfoldedhisarmsandstaredatthegrocer，whostoodathisdoorandyawnedatthechemist。Thewatch-maker，alwaysporingoveralittledeskwithamagnifyingglassathiseye，andalwaysinspectedbyagroupofsmock-frocksporingoverhimthroughtheglassofhisshop-window，seemedtobeabouttheonlypersonintheHigh-streetwhosetradeengagedhisattention。
MrPumblechookandIbreakfastedateighto\'clockintheparlourbehindtheshop，whiletheshopmantookhismugofteaandhunchofbread-and-butteronasackofpeasinthefrontpremises。IconsideredMrPumblechookwretchedcompany。Besidesbeingpossessedbymysister\'sideathatamortifyingandpenitentialcharacteroughttobeimpartedtomydiet-besidesgivingmeasmuchcrumbaspossibleincombinationwithaslittlebutter，andputtingsuchaquantityofwarmwaterintomymilkthatitwouldhavebeenmorecandidtohaveleftthemilkoutaltogether-hisconversationconsistedofnothingbutarithmetic。OnmypolitelybiddinghimGoodmorning，hesaid，pompously，`Seventimesnine，boy？\'AndhowshouldIbeabletoanswer，dodgedinthatway，inastrangeplace，onanemptystomach！
Iwashungry，butbeforeIhadswallowedamorsel，hebeganarunningsumthatlastedallthroughthebreakfast。`Seven？\'`Andfour？\'`Andeight？\'
`Andsix？\'`Andtwo？\'`Andten？\'Andsoon。Andaftereachfigurewasdisposedof，itwasasmuchasIcoulddotogetabiteorasup，beforethenextcame；whilehesatathiseaseguessingnothing，andeatingbaconandhotroll，in(ifImaybeallowedtheexpression)agorgingandgormandisingmanner。
ForsuchreasonsIwasverygladwhenteno\'clockcameandwestartedforMissHavisham\'s；thoughIwasnotatallatmyeaseregardingthemannerinwhichIshouldacquitmyselfunderthatlady\'sroof。WithinaquarterofanhourwecametoMissHavisham\'shouse，whichwasofoldbrick，anddismal，andhadagreatmanyironbarstoit。Someofthewindowshadbeenwalledup；ofthosethatremained，allthelowerwererustilybarred。Therewasacourt-yardinfront，andthatwasbarred；so，wehadtowait，afterringingthebell，untilsomeoneshouldcometoopenit。Whilewewaitedatthegate，Ipeepedin(eventhenMrPumblechooksaid，`Andfourteen？\'
butIpretendednottohearhim)，andsawthatatthesideofhousetherewasalargebrewery。Nobrewingwasgoingoninit，andnoneseemedtohavegoneonforalonglongtime。
Awindowwasraised，andaclearvoicedemanded`Whatname？\'Towhichmyconductorreplied，`Pumblechook。\'Thevoicereturned，`Quiteright，\'
andthewindowwasshutagain，andayoungladycameacrossthecourt-yard，withkeysinherhand。
`This，\'saidMrPumblechook，`isPip。\'
`ThisisPip，isit？\'returnedtheyounglady，whowasveryprettyandseemedveryproud；`comein，Pip。\'
MrPumblechookwascominginalso，whenshestoppedhimwiththegate。
`Oh！\'shesaid。`DidyouwishtoseeMissHavisham？\'
`IfMissHavishamwishedtoseeme，\'returnedMrPumblechook，discomfited。
`Ah！\'saidthegirl；`butyouseeshedon\'t。\'
Shesaiditsofinally，andinsuchanundiscussibleway，thatMrPumblechook，thoughinaconditionofruffleddignity，couldnotprotest。Butheeyedmeseverely-asifIhaddoneanythingtohim！-anddepartedwiththewordsreproachfullydelivered:`Boy！Letyourbehaviourherebeacredituntothemwhichbroughtyouupbyhand！\'Iwasnotfreefromapprehensionthathewouldcomebacktopropoundthroughthegate，`Andsixteen？\'Buthedidn\'t。
Myyoungconductresslockedthegate，andwewentacrossthecourt-yard。
Itwaspavedandclean，butgrasswasgrowingineverycrevice。Thebrewerybuildingshadalittlelaneofcommunicationwithit，andthewoodengatesofthatlanestoodopen，andallthebrewerybeyond，stoodopen，awaytothehighenclosingwall；andallwasemptyanddisused。Thecoldwindseemedtoblowcolderthere，thanoutsidethegate；anditmadeashrillnoiseinhowlinginandoutattheopensidesofthebrewery，likethenoiseofwindintheriggingofashipatsea。
Shesawmelookingatit，andshesaid，`Youcoulddrinkwithouthurtallthestrongbeerthat\'sbrewedtherenow，boy。\'
`IshouldthinkIcould，miss\'saidI，inashyway。
`Betternottrytobrewbeertherenow，oritwouldturnoutsour，boy；
don\'tyouthinkso？\'
`Itlookslikeit，miss。\'
`Notthatanybodymeanstotry，\'sheadded，`forthat\'salldonewith，andtheplacewillstandasidleasitis，tillitfalls。Astostrongbeer，there\'senoughofitinthecellarsalready，todrowntheManorHouse。\'
`Isthatthenameofthishouse，miss？\'
`Oneofitsnames，boy。\'
`Ithasmorethanone，then，miss？\'
`Onemore。ItsothernamewasSatis；whichisGreek，orLatin，orHebrew，orallthree-orallonetome-forenough。\'
`EnoughHouse，\'saidI；`that\'sacuriousname，miss。\'
`Yes，\'shereplied；`butitmeantmorethanitsaid。Itmeant，whenitwasgiven，thatwhoeverhadthishouse，couldwantnothingelse。Theymusthavebeeneasilysatisfiedinthosedays，Ishouldthink。Butdon\'tloiter，boy。\'
Thoughshecalledme`boy\'sooften，andwithacarelessnessthatwasfarfromcomplimentary，shewasofaboutmyownage。SheseemedmucholderthanI，ofcourse，beingagirl，andbeautifulandself-possessed；andshewasanscornfulofmeasifshehadbeenone-and-twenty，andaqueen。
Wewentintothehousebyasidedoor-thegreatfrontentrancehadtwochainsacrossitoutside-andthefirstthingInoticedwas，thatthepassageswerealldark，andthatshehadleftacandleburningthere。
Shetookitup，andwewentthroughmorepassagesandupastaircase，andstillitwasalldark，andonlythecandlelightedus。
Atlastwecametothedoorofaroom，andshesaid，`Goin。\'
Ianswered，moreinshynessthanpoliteness，`Afteryou，miss。\'
Tothis，shereturned:`Don\'tberidiculous，boy；Iamnotgoingin。\'
Andscornfullywalkedaway，and-whatwasworse-tookthecandlewithher。
Thiswasveryuncomfortable，andIwashalfafraid。However，theonlythingtobedonebeingtoknockatthedoor，Iknocked，andwastoldfromwithintoenter。Ientered，therefore，andfoundmyselfinaprettylargeroom，welllightedwithwaxcandles。Noglimpseofdaylightwastobeseeninit。Itwasadressing-room，asIsupposedfromthefurniture，thoughmuchofitwasofformsandusesthenquiteunknowntome。Butprominentinitwasadrapedtablewithagildedlooking-glass，andthatImadeoutatfirstsighttobeafinelady\'sdressing-table。
WhetherIshouldhavemadeoutthisobjectsosoon，iftherehadbeennofineladysittingatit，Icannotsay。Inanarm-chair，withanelbowrestingonthetableandherheadleaningonthathand，satthestrangestladyIhaveeverseen，orshalleversee。
Shewasdressedinrichmaterials-satins，andlace，andsilks-allofwhite。Hershoeswerewhite。Andshehadalongwhileveildependentfromherhair，andshehadbridalflowersinherhair，butherhairwaswhite。Somebrightjewelssparkledonherneckandonherhands，andsomeotherjewelslaysparklingonthetable。Dresses，lesssplendidthanthedressshewore，andhalf-packedtrunks，werescatteredabout。Shehadnotquitefinisheddressing，forshehadbutoneshoeon-theotherwasonthetablenearherhand-herveilwasbuthalfarranged，herwatchandchainwerenotputon，andsomelaceforherbosomlaywiththosetrinkets，andwithherhandkerchief，andgloves，andsomeflowers，andaprayer-book，allconfusedlyheapedaboutthelooking-glass。
ItwasnotinthefirstfewmomentstheIsawallthesethings，thoughIsawmoreoftheminthefirstmomentsthanmightbesupposed。But，I
sawthateverythingwithinmyviewwhichoughttobewhite，hadbeenwhitelongago，andhadlostitslustre，andwasfadedandyellow。Isawthatthebridewithinthebridaldresshadwitheredlikethedress，andliketheflowers，andhadnobrightnessleftbutthebrightnessofhersunkeneyes。Isawthatthedresshadbeenputupontheroundedfigureofayoungwoman，andthatthefigureuponwhichitnowhungloose，hadshrunktoskinandbone。Once，IhadbeentakentoseesomeghastlywaxworkattheFair，representingIknownotwhatimpossiblepersonagelyinginstate。
Once，Ihadbeentakentooneofouroldmarshchurchestoseeaskeletonintheashesofarichdress，thathadbeendugoutofavaultunderthechurchpavement。Now，waxworkandskeletonseemedtohavedarkeyesthatmovedandlookedatme。Ishouldhavecriedout，ifIcould。
`Whoisit？\'saidtheladyatthetable。
`Pip，ma\'am。\'
`Pip？\'
`MrPumblechook\'sboy，ma\'am。Come-toplay。\'
`Comenearer；letmelookatyou。Comeclose。\'
ItwaswhenIstoodbeforeher，avoidinghereyes，thatItooknoteofthesurroundingobjectsindetail，andsawthatherwatchhadstoppedattwentyminutestonine，andthataclockintheroomhadstoppedattwentyminutestonine。
`Lookatme，\'saidMissHavisham。`Youarenotafraidofawomanwhohasneverseenthesunsinceyouwereborn？\'
IregardtostatethatIwasnotafraidoftellingtheenormousliecomprehendedintheanswer`No。\'
`DoyouknowwhatItouchhere？\'shesaid，layingherhands，oneupontheother，onherleftside。
`Yes，ma\'am。\'(Itmademethinkoftheyoungman。)
`WhatdoItouch？\'
`Yourheart。\'
`Broken！\'
Sheutteredthewordwithaneagerlook，andwithstrongemphasis，andwithaweirdsmilethathadakindofboastinit。Afterwards，shekeptherhandsthereforalittlewhile，andslowlytookthemawayasiftheywereheavy。
`Iamtired，\'saidMissHavisham。`Iwantdiversion，andIhavedonewithmenandwomen。Play。\'
Ithinkitwillbeconcededbymymostdisputatiousreader，thatshecouldhardlyhavedirectedanunfortunateboytodoanythinginthewideworldmoredifficulttobedoneunderthecircumstances。
`Isometimeshavesickfancies，\'shewenton，`andIhaveasickfancythatIwanttoseesomeplay。Therethere！\'withanimpatientmovementofthefingersofherrighthand；`play，play，play！\'
Foramoment，withthefearofmysister\'sworkingmebeforemyeyes，IhadadesperateideaofstartingroundtheroomintheassumedcharacterofMrPumblechook\'schaise-cart。But，IfeltmyselfsounequaltotheperformancethatIgaveitup，andstoodlookingatMissHavishaminwhatIsupposeshetookforadoggedmanner，inasmuchasshesaid，whenwehadtakenagoodlookateachother:
`Areyousullenandobstinate？\'
`No，ma\'am，Iamverysorryforyou，andverysorryIcan\'tplayjustnow。IfyoucomplainofmeIshallgetintotroublewithmysister，soIwoulddoitifIcould；butit\'ssonewhere，andsostrange，andsofine-andmelancholy——\'Istopped，fearingImightsaytoomuch，orhadalreadysaidit，andwetookanotherlookateachother。
Beforeshespokeagain，sheturnedhereyesfromme，andlookedatthedressshewore，andatthedressing-table，andfinallyatherselfinthelooking-glass。
`Sonewtohim，\'shemuttered，`sooldtome；sostrangetohim，sofamiliartome；somelancholytobothofus！CallEstella。\'
Asshewasstilllookingatthereflectionofherself，Ithoughtshewasstilltalkingtoherself，andkeptquiet。
`CallEstella，\'sherepeated，flashingalookatme。`Youcandothat。
CallEstella。Atthedoor。\'
Tostandinthedarkinamysteriouspassageofanunknownhouse，bawlingEstellatoascornfulyoungladyneithervisiblenorresponsive，andfeelingitadreadfullibertysotoroarouthername，wasalmostasbadasplayingtoorder。But，sheansweredatlast，andherlightcamealongthedarkpassagelikeastar。
MissHavishambeckonedhertocomeclose，andtookupajewelfromthetable，andtrieditseffectuponherfairyoungbosomandagainstherprettybrownhair。`Yourown，oneday，mydear，andyouwilluseitwell。Letmeseeyouplaycardswiththisboy。\'
`Withthisboy？Why，heisacommonlabouring-boy！\'
IthoughtIoverheardMissHavishamanswer-onlyitseemedsounlikely-`Well？Youcanbreakhisheart。\'
`Whatdoyouplay，boy？\'askedEstellaofmyself，withthegreatestdisdain。
`Nothingbutbeggarmyneighbour，miss。\'
`Beggarhim，\'saidMissHavishamtoEstella。Sowesatdowntocards。
ItwasthenIbegantounderstandthateverythingintheroomhadstopped，likethewatchandtheclock，alongtimeago。InoticedthatMissHavishamputdownthejewelexactlyonthespotformwhichshehadtakenitup。
AsEstelladealtthecards，Iglancedatthedressing-tableagain，andsawthattheshoeuponit，oncewhite，nowyellow，hadneverbeenworn。
Iglanceddownatthefootfromwhichtheshoewasabsent，andsawthatthesilkstockingonit，oncewhite，nowyellow，hadbeentroddenragged。
Withoutthisarrestofeverything，thisstandingstillofallthepaledecayedobjects，noteventhewitheredbridaldressonthecollapsedfromcouldhavelookedsolikegrave-clothes，orthelongveilsolikeashroud。
Soshesat，corpse-like，asweplayedatcards；thefrillingsandtrimmingsonherbridaldress，lookinglikeearthypaper。Iknewnothingthen，ofthediscoveriesthatareoccasionallymadeofbodiesburiedinancienttimes，whichfalltopowderinthemomentofbeingdistinctlyseen；but，Ihaveoftenthoughtsince，thatshemusthavelookedasiftheadmissionofthenaturallightofdaywouldhavestruckhertodust。
`Hecallstheknaves，Jacks，thisboy！\'saidEstellawithdisdain，beforeourfirstgamewasout。`Andwhatcoarsehandshehas！Andwhatthickboots！\'
Ihadneverthoughtofbeingashamedofmyhandsbefore；butIbegantoconsiderthemaveryindifferentpair。Hercontemptformewassostrong，thatitbecameinfectious，andIcaughtit。
