第7章

Ibecameimbuedwiththenotiononthatfirstoccasionbeforewesatdowntodinner，butIcannotdefinebywhatmeans。

Hewasstillapaleyounggentleman，andhadacertainconqueredlanguorabouthiminthemidstofhisspiritsandbriskness，thatdidnotseemindicativeofnaturalstrength。Hehadnotahandsomeface，butitwasbetterthanhandsome:beingextremelyamiableandcheerful。Hisfigurewasalittleungainly，asinthedayswhenmyknuckleshadtakensuchlibertieswithit，butitlookedasifitwouldalwaysbelightandyoung。WhetherMrTrabb\'slocalworkwouldhavesatmoregracefullyonhimthanonme，maybeaquestion；butIamconsciousthathecarriedoffhisratheroldclothes，muchbetterthanIcarriedoffmynewsuit。

Ashewassocommunicative，Ifeltthatreserveonmypartwouldbeabadreturnunsuitedtoouryears。Ithereforetoldhimmysmallstory，andlaidstressonmybeingforbiddentoinquirewhomybenefactorwas。

IfurthermentionedthatasIhadbeenbroughtupablacksmithinacountryplace，andknewverylittleofthewaysofpoliteness，Iwouldtakeitasagreatkindnessinhimifhewouldgivemeahintwheneverhesawmeatalossorgoingwrong。

`Withpleasure，\'saidhe，`thoughIventuretoprophesythatyou\'llwantveryfewhints。Idaresayweshallbeoftentogether，andIshouldliketobanishanyneedlessrestraintbetweenus。Willyoudomethefavourtobeginatoncetocallmebymychristianname，Herbert？\'

Ithankedhim，andsaidIwould。IinformedhiminexchangethatmychristiannamewasPhilip。

`Idon\'ttaketoPhilip，\'saidhe，smiling，`foritsoundslikeamoralboyoutofthespelling-book，whowassolazythathefellintoapond，orsofatthathecouldn\'tseeoutofhiseyes，orsoavariciousthathelockeduphiscaketillthemiceateit，orsodeterminedtogoabird\'s-nestingthathegothimselfeatenbybearswholivedhandyintheneighbourhood。

ItellyouwhatIshouldlike。Wearesoharmonious，andyouhavebeenablacksmith-wouldyoumindit？\'

`Ishouldn\'tmindanythingthatyoupropose，\'Ianswered，`butIdon\'tunderstandyou。\'

`WouldyoumindHandelforafamiliarname？There\'sacharmingpieceofmusicbyHandel，calledtheHarmoniousBlacksmith。\'

`Ishouldlikeitverymuch。\'

`Then，mydearHandel，\'saidhe，turningroundasthedooropened，`hereisthedinner，andImustbegofyoutotakethetopofthetable，becausethedinnerisofyourproviding。\'

ThisIwouldnothearof，sohetookthetop，andIfacedhim。Itwasanicelittledinner-seemedtomethen，averyLordMayor\'sFeast-anditacquiredadditionalrelishfrombeingeatenunderthoseindependentcircumstances，withnooldpeopleby，andwithLondonallaroundus。Thisagainwasheightenedbyacertaingipsycharacterthatsetthebanquetoff；for，whilethetablewas，asMrPumblechookmighthavesaid，thelapofluxury-beingentirelyfurnishedforthfromthecoffee-house-thecircumjacentregionofsitting-roomwasofacomparativelypasturelessandshiftycharacter:imposingonthewaiterthewanderinghabitsofputtingthecoversonthefloor(wherehefelloverthem)，themeltedbutterinthearmchair，thebreadonthebookshelves，thecheeseinthecoalscuttle，andtheboiledfowlintomybedinthenextroom-whereIfoundmuchofitsparsleyandbutterinastateofcongelationwhenIretiredforthenight。Allthismadethefeastdelightful，andwhenthewaiterwasnottheretowatchme，mypleasurewaswithoutalloy。

Wehadmadesomeprogressinthedinner，whenIremindedHerbertofhispromisetotellmeaboutMissHavisham。

`True，\'hereplied。`I\'llredeemitatonce。Letmeintroducethetopic，Handel，bymentioningthatinLondonitisnotthecustomtoputtheknifeinthemouth-forfearofaccidents-andthatwhiletheforkisreservedforthatuse，itisnotputfurtherinthannecessary。Itisscarcelyworthmentioning，onlyit\'saswelltodoasotherpeopledo。Also，thespoonisnotgenerallyusedover-hand，butunder。Thishastwoadvantages。Yougetatyourmouthbetter(whichafterallistheobject)，andyousaveagooddealoftheattitudeofopeningoysters，onthepartoftherightelbow。\'

Heofferedthesefriendlysuggestionsinsuchalivelyway，thatwebothlaughedandIscarcelyblushed。

`Now，\'hepursued，`concerningMissHavisham。MissHavisham，youmustknow，wasaspoiltchild。Hermotherdiedwhenshewasababy，andherfatherdeniedhernothing。Herfatherwasacountrygentlemandowninyourpartoftheworld，andwasabrewer。Idon\'tknowwhyitshouldbeacrackthingtobeabrewer；butitisindisputablethatwhileyoucannotpossiblybegenteelandbake，youmaybeasgenteelasneverwasandbrew。Youseeiteveryday。\'

`Yetagentlemanmaynotkeepapublic-house；mayhe？\'saidI。

`Notonanyaccount，\'returnedHerbert；`butapublic-housemaykeepagentleman。Well！MrHavishamwasveryrichandveryproud。Sowashisdaughter。\'

`MissHavishamwasanonlychild？\'Ihazarded。

`Stopamoment，Iamcomingtothat。No，shewasnotanonlychild；

shehadahalf-brother。Herfatherprivatelymarriedagain-hiscook，Iratherthink。\'

`Ithoughthewasproud，\'saidI。

`MygoodHandel，sohewas。Hemarriedhissecondwifeprivately，becausehewasproud，andincourseoftimeshedied。Whenshewasdead，Iapprehendhefirsttoldhisdaughterwhathehaddone，andthenthesonbecameapartofthefamily，residinginthehouseyouareacquaintedwith。

Asthesongrewayoungman，heturnedoutriotous，extravagant，undutiful-altogetherbad。Atlasthisfatherdisinheritedhim；buthesoftenedwhenhewasdying，andlefthimwelloff，thoughnotnearlysowelloffasMissHavisham-Takeanotherglassofwine，andexcusemymentioningthatsocietyasabodydoesnotexpectonetobesostrictlyconscientiousinemptyingone\'sglass，astoturnitbottomupwardswiththerimonone\'snose。\'

Ihadbeendoingthis，inanexcessofattentiontohisrecital。Ithankedhim，andapologized。Hesaid，`Notatall，\'andresumed。

`MissHavishamwasnowanheiress，andyoumaysupposewaslookedafterasagreatmatch。Herhalf-brotherhadnowamplemeansagain，butwhatwithdebtsandwhatwithnewmadnesswastedthemmostfearfullyagain。

Therewerestrongerdifferencesbetweenhimandher，thantherehadbeenbetweenhimandhisfather，anditissuspectedthathecherishedadeepandmortalgrudgeagainsther，ashavinginfluencedthefather\'sanger。

Now，Icometothecruelpartofthestory-merelybreakingoff，mydearHandel，toremarkthatadinner-napkinwillnotgointoatumbler。\'

WhyIwastryingtopackmineintomytumbler，Iamwhollyunabletosay。IonlyknowthatIfoundmyself，withaperseveranceworthyofamuchbettercause，makingthemoststrenuousexertionstocompressitwithinthoselimits。AgainIthankedhimandapologized，andagainhesaidinthecheerfullestmanner，`Notatall，Iamsure！\'andresumed。

`Thereappeareduponthescene-sayattheraces，orthepublicballs，oranywhereelseyoulike-acertainman，whomadelovetoMissHavisham。

Ineversawhim，forthishappenedfive-and-twentyyearsago(beforeyouandIwere，Handel)，butIhaveheardmyfathermentionthathewasashowy-man，andthekindofmanforthepurpose。Butthathewasnottobe，withoutignoranceorprejudice，mistakenforagentleman，myfathermoststronglyasseverates；becauseitisaprincipleofhisthatnomanwhowasnotatruegentlemanatheart，everwas，sincetheworldbegan，atruegentlemaninmanner。Hesays，novarnishcanhidethegrainofthewood；andthatthemorevarnishyouputon，themorethegrainwillexpressitself。Well！

ThismanpursuedMissHavishamclosely，andprofessedtobedevotedtoher。Ibelieveshehadnotshownmuchsusceptibilityuptothattime；butallthesusceptibilityshepossessed，certainlycameoutthen，andshepassionatelylovedhim。Thereisnodoubtthatsheperfectlyidolizedhim。

Hepractisedonheraffectioninthatsystematicway，thathegotgreatsumsofmoneyfromher，andheinducedhertobuyherbrotheroutofashareinthebrewery(whichhadbeenweaklylefthimbyhisfather)atanimmenseprice，onthepleathatwhenhewasherhusbandhemustholdandmanageitall。YourguardianwasnotatthattimeinMissHavisham\'scouncils，andshewastoohaughtyandtoomuchinlove，tobeadvisedbyanyone。Herrelationswerepoorandscheming，withtheexceptionofmyfather；hewaspoorenough，butnottime-servingorjealous。Theonlyindependentoneamongthem，hewarnedherthatshewasdoingtoomuchforthisman，andwasplacingherselftoounreservedlyinhispower。Shetookthefirstopportunityofangrilyorderingmyfatheroutofthehouse，inhispresence，andmyfatherhasneverseenhersince。\'

Ithoughtofherhavingsaid，`MatthewwillcomeandseemeatlastwhenIamlaiddeaduponthattable；\'andIaskedHerbertwhetherhisfatherwassoinveterateagainsther？

`It\'snotthat，\'saidhe，`butshechargedhim，inthepresenceofherintendedhusband，withbeingdisappointedinthehopeoffawninguponherforhisownadvancement，and，ifheweretogotohernow，itwouldlooktrue-eventohim-andeventoher。Toreturntothemanandmakeanendofhim。Themarriagedaywasfixed，theweddingdresseswerebought，theweddingtourwasplannedout，theweddingguestswereinvited。Thedaycame，butnotthebridegroom。Hewroteheraletter——\'

`Whichshereceived，\'Istruckin，`whenshewasdressingforhermarriage？

Attwentyminutestonine？\'

`Atthehourandminute，\'saidHerbert，nodding，`atwhichsheafterwardsstoppedalltheclocks。Whatwasinit，furtherthanthatitmostheartlesslybrokethemarriageoff，Ican\'ttellyou，becauseIdon\'tknow。Whensherecoveredfromabadillnessthatshehad，shelaidthewholeplacewaste，asyouhaveseenit，andshehasneversincelookeduponthelightofday。\'

`Isthatallthestory？\'Iasked，afterconsideringit。

`AllIknowofit；andindeedIonlyknowsomuch，throughpiecingitoutformyself；formyfatheralwaysavoidsit，and，evenwhenMissHavishaminvitedmetogothere，toldmenomoreofitthanitwasabsolutelyrequisiteIshouldunderstand。ButIhaveforgottenonething。Ithasbeensupposedthatthemantowhomshegavehermisplacedconfidence，actedthroughoutinconcertwithherhalf-brother；thatitwasaconspiracybetweenthem；

andthattheysharedtheprofits。\'

`Iwonderhedidn\'tmarryherandgetalltheproperty，\'saidI。

`Hemayhavebeenmarriedalready，andhercruelmortificationmayhavebeenapartofherhalf-brother\'sscheme，\'saidHerbert。

`Mind！Idon\'tknowthat。\'

`Whatbecameofthetwomen？\'Iasked，afteragainconsideringthesubject。

`Theyfellintodeepershameanddegradation-iftherecanbedeeper-andruin。\'

`Aretheyalivenow？\'

`Idon\'tknow。\'

`Yousaidjustnow，thatEstellawasnotrelatedtoMissHavisham，butadopted。Whenadopted？\'

Herbertshruggedhisshoulders。`TherehasalwaysbeenanEstella，sinceIhaveheardofaMissHavisham。Iknownomore。Andnow，Handel，\'saidhe，finallythrowingoffthestoryasitwere，`thereisaperfectlyopenunderstandingbetweenus。AllthatIknowaboutMissHavisham，youknow。\'

`AndallthatIknow，\'Iretorted，`youknow。\'

`Ifullybelieveit。Sotherecanbenocompetitionorperplexitybetweenyouandme。Andastotheconditiononwhichyouholdyouradvancementinlife-namely，thatyouarenottoinquireordiscusstowhomyouoweit-youmaybeverysurethatitwillneverbeencroachedupon，orevenapproached，byme，orbyanyonebelongingtome。\'

Intruth，hesaidthiswithsomuchdelicacy，thatIfeltthesubjectdonewith，eventhoughIshouldbeunderhisfather\'sroofforyearsandyearstocome。Yethesaiditwithsomuchmeaning，too，thatIfeltheasperfectlyunderstoodMissHavishamtobemybenefactress，asIunderstoodthefactmyself。

Ithadnotoccurredtomebefore，thathehadleduptothethemeforthepurposeofclearingitoutofourway；butweweresomuchthelighterandeasierforhavingbroachedit，thatInowperceivedthistobethecase。Wewereverygayandsociable，andIaskedhim，inthecourseofconversation，whathewas？Hereplied，`Acapitalist-anInsurerofShips。\'

IsupposehesawmeglancingabouttheroominsearchofsometokensofShipping，orcapital，forheadded，`IntheCity。\'

IhadgrandideasofthewealthandimportanceofInsurersofShipsintheCity，andIbegantothinkwithawe，ofhavinglaidayoungInsureronhisback，blackenedhisenterprisingeye，andcuthisresponsibleheadopen。But，again，therecameuponme，formyrelief，thatoddimpressionthatHerbertPocketwouldneverbeverysuccessfulorrich。

`Ishallnotrestsatisfiedwithmerelyemployingmycapitalininsuringships。IshallbuyupsomegoodLifeAssuranceshares，andcutintotheDirection。Ishallalsodoalittleintheminingway。Noneofthesethingswillinterferewithmycharteringafewthousandtonsonmyownaccount。

IthinkIshalltrade，\'saidhe，leaningbackinhischair，`totheEastIndies，forsilks，shawls，spices，dyes，drugs，andpreciouswoó；ds。

It\'saninterestingtrade。\'

`Andtheprofitsarelarge？\'saidI。

`Tremendous！\'saidhe。

Iwaveredagain，andbegantothinkhereweregreaterexpectationsthanmyown。

`IthinkIshalltrade，also，\'saidhe，puttinghisthumbsinhiswaistcoatpockets，`totheWestIndies，forsugar，tobacco，andrum。AlsotoCeylon，speciallyforelephants\'tusks。\'

`Youwillwantagoodmanyships，\'saidI。

`Aperfectfleet，\'saidhe。

Quiteoverpoweredbythemagnificenceofthesetransactions，Iaskedhimwheretheshipsheinsuredmostlytradedtoatpresent？

`Ihaven\'tbeguninsuringyet，\'hereplied。`Iamlookingaboutme。\'

Somehow，thatpursuitseemedmoreinkeepingwithBarnard\'sInn。Isaid(inatoneofconviction)，`Ah-h！\'

`Yes。Iaminacounting-house，andlookingaboutme。\'

`Isacounting-houseprofitable？\'Iasked。

`To-doyoumeantotheyoungfellowwho\'sinit？\'heasked，inreply。

`Yes；toyou。\'

`Why，n-no:nottome。\'Hesaidthiswiththeairofonecarefullyreckoningupandstrikingabalance。`Notdirectlyprofitable。Thatis，itdoesn\'tpaymeanything，andIhaveto-keepmyself。\'

Thiscertainlyhadnotaprofitableappearance，andIshookmyheadasifIwouldimplythatitwouldbedifficulttolaybymuchaccumulativecapitalfromsuchasourceofincome。

`Butthethingis，\'saidHerbertPocket，`thatyoulookaboutyou。That\'sthegrandthing。Youareinacounting-house，youknow，andyoulookaboutyou。\'

Itstruckmeasasingularimplicationthatyoucouldn\'tbeoutofacounting-house，youknow，andlookaboutyou；butIsilentlydeferredtohisexperience。

`Thenthetimecomes，\'saidHerbert，`whenyouseeyouropening。Andyougoin，andyouswoopuponitandyoumakeyourcapital，andthenthereyouare！Whenyouhaveoncemadeyourcapital，youhavenothingtodobutemployit。\'

Thiswasverylikehiswayofconductingthatencounterinthegarden；

verylike。Hismannerofbearinghispoverty，too，exactlycorrespondedtohismannerofbearingthatdefeat。Itseemedtomethathetookallblowsandbuffetsnow，withjustthesameairashehadtakenminethen。

Itwasevidentthathehadnothingaroundhimbutthesimplestnecessaries，foreverythingthatIremarkeduponturnedouttohavebeensentinonmyaccountfromthecoffee-houseorsomewhereelse。

Yet，havingalreadymadehisfortuneinhisownmind，hewassounassumingwithitthatIfeltquitegratefultohimfornotbeingpuffedup。Itwasapleasantadditiontohisnaturallypleasantways，andwegotonfamously。

Intheeveningwewentoutforawalkinthestreets，andwenthalf-pricetotheTheatre；andnextdaywewenttochurchatWestminsterAbbey，andintheafternoonwewalkedintheParks；andIwonderedwhoshodallthehorsesthere，andwishedJoedid。

Onamoderatecomputation，itwasmanymonths，thatSunday，sinceI

hadleftJoeandBiddy。Thespaceinterposedbetweenmyselfandthem，partookofthatexpansion，andourmarsheswereanydistanceoff。ThatIcouldhavebeenatouroldchurchinmyoldchurch-goingclothes，ontheverylastSundaythateverwas，seemedacombinationofimpossibilities，geographicalandsocial，solarandlunar。YetintheLondonstreets，socrowdedwithpeopleandsobrilliantlylightedintheduskofevening，thereweredepressinghintsofreproachesforthatIhadputthepooroldkitchenathomesofaraway；andinthedeadofnight，thefootstepsofsomeincapableimpostorofaportermooningaboutBarnard\'sInn，underpretenceofwatchingit，fellhollowonmyheart。

OntheMondaymorningataquarterbeforenine，Herbertwenttothecounting-housetoreporthimself-tolookabouthim，too，Isuppose-

andIborehimcompany。HewastocomeawayinanhourortwotoattendmetoHammersmith，andIwastowaitaboutforhim。ItappearedtomethattheeggsfromwhichyoungInsurerswerehatched，wereincubatedindustandheat，liketheeggsofostriches，judgingfromtheplacestowhichthoseincipientgiantsrepairedonaMondaymorning。Nordidthecounting-housewhereHerbertassisted，showinmyeyesasatallagoodObservatory；beingabacksecondfloorupayard，ofagrimypresenceinallparticulars，andwithalookintoanotherbacksecondfloor，ratherthanalookout。

Iwaitedaboutuntilitwasnoon，andIwentupon\'Change，andIsawflueymensittingthereunderthebillsaboutshipping，whomItooktobegreatmerchants，thoughIcouldn\'tunderstandwhytheyshouldallbeoutofspirits。WhenHerbertcame，wewentandhadlunchatacelebratedhousewhichIthenquitevenerated，butnowbelievetohavebeenthemostabjectsuperstitioninEurope，andwhereIcouldnothelpnoticing，eventhen，thattherewasmuchmoregravyonthetableclothsandknivesandwaiters\'clothes，thaninthesteaks。Thiscollationdisposedofatamoderateprice(consideringthegrease:whichwasnotchargedfor)，wewentbacktoBarnard\'sInnandgotmylittleportmanteau，andthentookcoachforHammersmith。Wearrivedthereattwoorthreeo\'clockintheafternoon，andhadverylittlewaytowalktoMrPocket\'shouse。Liftingthelatchofagate，wepasseddirectintoalittlegardenoverlookingtheriver，whereMrPocket\'schildrenwereplayingabout。AndunlessIdeceivemyselfonapointwheremyinterestsorprepossessionsarecertainlynotconcerned，IsawthatMrandMrsPocket\'schildrenwerenotgrowinguporbeingbroughtup，butweretumblingup。

MrsPocketwassittingonagardenchairunderatree，reading，withherlegsuponanothergardenchair；andMrsPocket\'stwonursemaidswerelookingaboutthemwhilethechildrenplayed。`Mamma，\'saidHerbert，`thisisyoungMrPip。\'UponwhichMrsPocketreceivedmewithanappearanceofamiabledignity。

`MasterAlickandMissJane，\'criedoneofthenursestotwoofthechildren，`ifyougoabouncingupagainstthembushesyou\'llfalloverintotheriverandbedrownded，andwhat\'llyourpasaythen？\'

AtthesametimethisnursepickedupMrsPocket\'shandkerchief，andsaid，`Ifthatdon\'tmakesixtimesyou\'vedroppedit，Mum！\'UponwhichMrsPocketlaughedandsaid，`Thankyou，Flopson，\'andsettlingherselfinonechaironly，resumedherbook。Hercountenanceimmediatelyassumedaknittedandintentexpressionasifshehadbeenreadingforaweek，butbeforeshecouldhavereadhalfadozenlines，shefixedhereyesuponme，andsaid，`Ihopeyourmammaisquitewell？\'ThisunexpectedinquiryputmeintosuchadifficultythatIbegansayingintheabsurdestwaythatiftherehadbeenanysuchpersonIhadnodoubtshewouldhavebeenquitewellandwouldhavebeenverymuchobligedandwouldhavesenthercompliments，whenthenursecametomyrescue。

`Well！\'shecried，pickingupthepockethandkerchief，`ifthatdon\'tmakeseventimes！WhatAREyouadoingofthisafternoon，Mum！\'MrsPocketreceivedherproperty，atfirstwithalookofunutterablesurpriseasifshehadneverseenitbefore，andthenwithalaughofrecognition，andsaid，`Thankyou，Flopson，\'andforgotme，andwentonreading。

Ifound，nowIhadleisuretocountthem，thattherewerenofewerthansixlittlePocketspresent，invariousstagesoftumblingup。Ihadscarcelyarrivedatthetotalwhenaseventhwasheard，asintheregionofair，wailingdolefully。

`Ifthereain\'tBaby！\'saidFlopson，appearingtothinkitmostsurprising。

`Makehasteup，Millers。\'

Millers，whowastheothernurse，retiredintothehouse，andbydegreesthechild\'swailingwashushedandstopped，asifitwereayoungventriloquistwithsomethinginitsmouth。MrsPocketreadallthetime，andIwascurioustoknowwhatthebookcouldbe。

Wewerewaiting，Isupposed，forMrPockettocomeouttous；atanyratewewaitedthere，andsoIhadanopportunityofobservingtheremarkablefamilyphenomenonthatwheneveranyofthechildrenstrayednearMrsPocketintheirplay，theyalwaystrippedthemselvesupandtumbledoverher-

alwaysverymuchtohermomentaryastonishment，andtheirownmoreenduringlamentation。Iwasatalosstoaccountforthissurprisingcircumstance，andcouldnothelpgivingmymindtospeculationsaboutit，untilby-and-byMillerscamedownwiththebaby，whichbabywashandedtoFlopson，whichFlopsonwashandingittoMrsPocket，whenshetoowentfairlyheadforemostoverMrsPocket，babyandall，andwascaughtbyHerbertandmyself。

`Graciousme，Flopson！\'saidMrsPocket，lookingoffherbookforamoment，`everybody\'stumbling！\'

`Graciousyou，indeed，Mum！\'returnedFlopson，veryredintheface；

`whathaveyougotthere？\'

`Igothere，Flopson？\'askedMrsPocket。

`Why，ifitain\'tyourfootstool！\'criedFlopson。`Andifyoukeepitunderyourskirtslikethat，who\'stohelptumbling？Here！Takethebaby，Mum，andgivemeyourbook。\'

MrsPocketactedontheadvice，andinexpertlydancedtheinfantalittleinherlap，whiletheotherchildrenplayedaboutit。Thishadlastedbutaveryshorttime，whenMrsPocketissuedsummaryordersthattheywerealltobetakenintothehouseforanap。ThusImadetheseconddiscoveryonthatfirstoccasion，thatthenurtureofthelittlePocketsconsistedofalternatelytumblingupandlyingdown。

Underthesecircumstances，whenFlopsonandMillershadgotthechildrenintothehouse，likealittleflockofsheep，andMrPocketcameoutofittomakemyacquaintance，IwasnotmuchsurprisedtofindthatMrPocketwasagentlemanwitharatherperplexedexpressionofface，andwithhisverygreyhairdisorderedonhishead，asifhedidn\'tquiteseehiswaytoputtinganythingstraight。

Chapter23

MRPOCKETsaidhewasgladtoseeme，andhehopedIwasnotsorrytoseehim。`For，Ireallyamnot，\'headded，withhisson\'ssmile，`analarmingpersonage。\'Hewasayoung-lookingman，inspiteofhisperplexitiesandhisverygreyhair，andhismannerseemedquitenatural。Iusethewordnatural，inthesenseofitsbeingunaffected；therewassomethingcomicinhisdistraughtway，asthoughitwouldhavebeendownrightludicrousbutforhisownperceptionthatitwasverynearbeingso。Whenhehadtalkedwithmealittle，hesaidtoMrsPocket，witharatheranxiouscontractionofhiseyebrows，whichwereblackandhandsome，`Belinda，IhopeyouhavewelcomedMrPip？\'Andshelookedupfromherbook，andsaid，`Yes。\'Shethensmileduponmeinanabsentstateofmind，andaskedmeifIlikedthetasteoforange-flowerwater？Asthequestionhadnobearing，nearorremote，onanyforegoneorsubsequenttransaction，Iconsiderittohavebeenthrownout，likeherpreviousapproaches，ingeneralconversationalcondescension。

Ifoundoutwithinafewhours，andmaymentionatonce，thatMrsPocketwastheonlydaughterofacertainquiteaccidentaldeceasedKnight，whohadinventedforhimselfaconvictionthathisdeceasedfatherwouldhavebeenmadeaBaronetbutforsomebody\'sdeterminedoppositionarisingoutofentirelypersonalmotives-Iforgetwhose，ifIeverknew-theSovereign\'s，thePrimeMinister\'s，theLordChancellor\'s，theArchbishopofCanterbury\'s，anybody\'s-andhadtackedhimselfontothenoblesoftheearthinrightofthisquitesupposititiousfact。IbelievehehadbeenknightedhimselfforstormingtheEnglishgrammaratthepointofthepen，inadesperateaddressengrossedonvellum，ontheoccasionofthelayingofthefirststoneofsomebuildingorother，andforhandingsomeRoyalPersonageeitherthetrowelorthemortar。Bethatasitmay，hehaddirectedMrsPockettobebroughtupfromhercradleasonewhointhenatureofthingsmustmarryatitle，andwhowastobeguardedfromtheacquisitionofplebeiandomesticknowledge。

Sosuccessfulawatchandwardhadbeenestablishedovertheyoungladybythisjudiciousparent，thatshehadgrownuphighlyornamental，butperfectlyhelplessanduseless。Withhercharacterthushappilyformed，inthefirstbloomofheryouthshehadencounteredMrPocket:whowasalsointhefirstbloomofyouth，andnotquitedecidedwhethertomounttotheWoolsack，ortoroofhimselfinwithamitre。Ashisdoingtheoneortheotherwasamerequestionoftime，heandMrsPockethadtakenTimebytheforelock(when，tojudgefromitslength，itwouldseemtohavewantedcutting)，andhadmarriedwithouttheknowledgeofthejudiciousparent。Thejudiciousparent，havingnothingtobestoworwithholdbuthisblessing，hadhandsomelysettledthatdoweruponthemafterashortstruggle，andhadinformedMrPocketthathiswifewas`atreasureforaPrince。\'MrPockethadinvestedthePrince\'streasureinthewaysoftheworldeversince，anditwassupposedtohavebroughthiminbutindifferentinterest。Still，MrsPocketwasingeneraltheobjectofaqueersortofrespectfulpity，becauseshehadnotmarriedatitle；whileMrPocketwastheobjectofaqueersortofforgivingreproach，becausehehadnevergotone。

MrPockettookmeintothehouseandshowedmemyroom:whichwasapleasantone，andsofurnishedasthatIcoulduseitwithcomfortformyownprivatesitting-room。Hethenknockedatthedoorsoftwoothersimilarrooms，andintroducedmetotheiroccupants，bynameDrummleandStartop。Drummle，anold-lookingyoungmanofaheavyorderofarchitecture，waswhistling。Startop，youngerinyearsandappearance，wasreadingandholdinghishead，asifhethoughthimselfindangerofexplodingitwithtoostrongachargeofknowledge。

BothMrandMrsPockethadsuchanoticeableairofbeinginsomebodyelse\'shands，thatIwonderedwhoreallywasinpossessionofthehouseandletthemlivethere，untilIfoundthisunknownpowertobetheservants。

Itwasasmoothwayofgoingon，perhaps，inrespectofsavingtrouble；

butithadtheappearanceofbeingexpensive，fortheservantsfeltitadutytheyowedtothemselvestobeniceintheireatinganddrinking，andtokeepadealofcompanydownstairs。TheyallowedaveryliberaltabletoMrandMrsPocket，yetitalwaysappearedtomethatbyfarthebestpartofthehousetohaveboardedin，wouldhavebeenthekitchen-alwayssupposingtheboardercapableofself-defence，for，beforeIhadbeenthereaweek，aneighbouringladywithwhomthefamilywerepersonallyunacquainted，wroteintosaythatshehadseenMillersslappingthebaby。

ThisgreatlydistressedMrsPocket，whoburstintotearsonreceivingthenote，andsaidthatitwasanextraordinarythingthattheneighbourscouldn\'tmindtheirownbusiness。

BydegreesIlearnt，andchieflyfromHerbert，thatMrPockethadbeeneducatedatHarrowandatCambridge，wherehehaddistinguishedhimself；

butthatwhenhehadhadthehappinessofmarryingMrsPocketveryearlyinlife，hehadimpairedhisprospectsandtakenupthecallingofaGrinder。

Aftergrindinganumberofdullblades-ofwhomitwasremarkablethattheirfathers，wheninfluential，werealwaysgoingtohelphimtopreferment，butalwaysforgottodoitwhenthebladeshadlefttheGrindstone-hehadweariedofthatpoorworkandhadcometoLondon。Here，aftergraduallyfailinginloftierhopes，hehad`read\'withdiverswhohadlackedopportunitiesorneglectedthem，andhadrefurbisheddiversothersforspecialoccasions，andhadturnedhisacquirementstotheaccountofliterarycompilationandcorrection，andonsuchmeans，addedtosomeverymoderateprivateresources，stillmaintainedthehouseIsaw。

MrandMrsPockethadatoadyneighbour；awidowladyofthathighlysympatheticnaturethatsheagreedwitheverybody，blessedeverybody，andshedsmilesandtearsoneverybody，accordingtocircumstances。Thislady\'snamewasMrsCoiler，andIhadthehonouroftakingherdowntodinneronthedayofmyinstallation。Shegavemetounderstandonthestairs，thatitwasablowtodearMrsPocketthatdearMrPocketshouldbeunderthenecessityofreceivinggentlementoreadwithhim。Thatdidnotextendtome，shetoldmeinagushofloveandconfidence(atthattime，Ihadknownhersomethinglessthanfiveminutes)；iftheywerealllikeMe，itwouldbequiteanotherthing。

`ButdearMrsPocket，\'saidMrsCoiler，`afterherearlydisappointment(notthatdearMrPocketwastoblameinthat)，requiressomuchluxuryandelegance——\'

`Yes，ma\'am，\'Isaid，tostopher，forIwasafraidshewasgoingtocry。

`Andsheisofsoaristocraticadisposition——\'

`Yes，ma\'am，\'Isaidagain，withthesameobjectasbefore。

`-thatitishard，\'saidMrsCoiler，`tohavedearMrPocket\'stimeandattentiondivertedfromdearMrsPocket。\'

Icouldnothelpthinkingthatitmightbeharderifthebutcher\'stimeandattentionweredivertedfromdearMrsPocket；butIsaidnothing，andindeedhadenoughtodoinkeepingabashfulwatchuponmycompany-manners。

Itcametomyknowledge，throughwhatpassedbetweenMrsPocketandDrummlewhileIwasattentivetomyknifeandfork，spoon，glasses，andotherinstrumentsofself-destruction，thatDrummle，whosechristiannamewasBentley，wasactuallythenextheirbutonetoabaronetcy。ItfurtherappearedthatthebookIhadseenMrsPocketreadinginthegarden，wasallabouttitles，andthatsheknewtheexactdateatwhichhergrandpapawouldhavecomeintothebook，ifheeverhadcomeatall。Drummledidn\'tsaymuch，butinhislimitedway(hestruckmeasasulkykindoffellow)

hespokeasoneoftheelect，andrecognizedMrsPocketasawomanandasister。NoonebutthemselvesandMrsCoilerthetoadyneighbourshowedanyinterestinthispartoftheconversation，anditappearedtomethatitwaspainfultoHerbert；butitpromisedtolastalongtime，whenthepagecameinwiththeannouncementofadomesticaffliction。Itwas，ineffect，thatthecookhadmislaidthebeef。Tomyunutterableamazement，Inow，forthefirsttime，sawMrPocketrelievehismindbygoingthroughaperformancethatstruckmeasveryextraordinary，butwhichmadenoimpressiononanybodyelse，andwithwhichIsoonbecameasfamiliarastherest。

Helaiddownthecarving-knifeandfork-beingengagedincarving，atthemoment-puthistwohandsintohisdisturbedhair，andappearedtomakeanextraordinaryefforttolifthimselfupbyit。Whenhehaddonethis，andhadnotliftedhimselfupatall，hequietlywentonwithwhathewasabout。

MrsCoilerthenchangedthesubject，andbegantoflatterme。Ilikeditforafewmoments，butsheflatteredmesoverygrosslythatthepleasurewassoonover。ShehadaserpentinewayofcomingcloseatmewhenshepretendedtobevitallyinterestedinthefriendsandlocalitiesIhadleft，whichwasaltogethersnakyandfork-tongued；andwhenshemadeanoccasionalbounceuponStartop(whosaidverylittletoher)，oruponDrummle(whosaidless)，Iratherenviedthemforbeingontheoppositesideofthetable。

Afterdinnerthechildrenwereintroduced，andMrsCoilermadeadmiringcommentsontheireyes，noses，andlegs-asagaciouswayofimprovingtheirminds。Therewerefourlittlegirls，andtwolittleboys，besidesthebabywhomighthavebeeneither，andthebaby\'snextsuccessorwhowasasyetneither。TheywerebroughtinbyFlopsonandMillers，muchasthoughthosetwononcommissionedofficershadbeenrecruitingsomewhereforchildrenandhadenlistedthese:whileMrsPocketlookedattheyoungNoblesthatoughttohavebeen，asifsheratherthoughtshehadhadthepleasureofinspectingthembefore，butdidn\'tquiteknowwhattomakeofthem。

`Here！Givemeyourfork，Mum，andtakethebaby，\'saidFlopson。`Don\'ttakeitthatway，oryou\'llgetitsheadunderthetable。\'

Thusadvised，MrsPockettookittheotherway，andgotitsheaduponthetable；whichwasannouncedtoallpresentbyaprodigiousconcussion。

`Dear，dear！Giveitmeback，Mum，\'saidFlopson；`andMissJane，comeanddancetobaby，do！\'

Oneofthelittlegirls，ameremitewhoseemedtohaveprematurelytakenuponherselfsomechargeoftheothers，steppedoutofherplacebyme，anddancedtoandfromthebabyuntilitleftoffcrying，andlaughed。

Then，allthechildrenlaughed，andMrPocket(whointhemeantimehadtwiceendeavouredtolifthimselfupbythehair)laughed，andwealllaughedandwereglad。

Flopson，bydintofdoublingthebabyatthejointslikeaDutchdoll，thengotitsafelyintoMrsPocket\'slap，andgaveitthenutcrackerstoplaywith:atthesametimerecommendingMrsPockettotakenoticethatthehandlesofthatinstrumentwerenotlikelytoagreewithitseyes，andsharplychargingMissJanetolookafterthesame。Then，thetwonurseslefttheroom，andhadalivelyscuffleonthestaircasewithadissipatedpagewhohadwaitedatdinner，andwhohadclearlylosthalfhisbuttonsatthegamingtable。

IwasmadeveryuneasyinmymindbyMrsPocket\'sfallingintoadiscussionwithDrummlerespectingtwobaronetcies，whilesheateaslicedorangesteepedinsugarandwine，andforgettingallaboutthebabyonherlap:

whodidmostappallingthingswiththenutcrackers。Atlength，littleJaneperceivingitsyoungbrainstobeimperilled，softlyleftherplace，andwithmanysmallartificescoaxedthedangerousweaponaway。MrsPocketfinishingherorangeataboutthesametime，andnotapprovingofthis，saidtoJane:

`Younaughtychild，howdareyou？Goandsitdownthisinstant！\'

`Mammadear，\'lispedthelittlegirl，`babyoodhaveputhitheyethout。\'

`Howdareyoutellmeso？\'retortedMrsPocket。`Goandsitdowninyourchairthismoment！\'

MrsPocket\'sdignitywassocrushing，thatIfeltquiteabashed:asifImyselfhaddonesomethingtorouseit。

`Belinda，\'remonstratedMrPocket，fromtheotherendofthetable，`howcanyoubesounreasonable？Janeonlyinterferedfortheprotectionofbaby。\'

`Iwillnotallowanybodytointerfere，\'saidMrsPocket。`Iamsurprised，Matthew，thatyoushouldexposemetotheaffrontofinterference。\'

`GoodGod！\'criedMrPocket，inanoutbreakofdesolatedesperation。

`Areinfantstobenutcrackeredintotheirtombs，andisnobodytosavethem？\'

`IwillnotbeinterferedwithbyJane，\'saidMrsPocket，withamajesticglanceatthatinnocentlittleoffender。`IhopeIknowmypoorgrandpapa\'sposition。Jane，indeed！\'

MrPocketgothishandsinhishairagain，andthistimereallydidlifthimselfsomeinchesoutofhischair。`Hearthis！\'hehelplesslyexclaimedtotheelements。`Babiesaretobenutcrackereddead，forpeople\'spoorgrandpapa\'spositions！\'Thenhelethimselfdownagain，andbecamesilent。

Wealllookedawkwardlyatthetable-clothwhilethiswasgoingon。

Apausesucceeded，duringwhichthehonestandirrepressiblebabymadeaseriesofleapsandcrowsatlittleJane，whoappearedtometobetheonlymemberofthefamily(irrespectiveofservants)withwhomithadanydecidedacquaintance。

`MrDrummle，\'saidMrsPocket，`willyouringforFlopson？Jane，youundutifullittlething，goandliedown。Now，babydarling，comewithma！\'

Thebabywasthesoulofhonour，andprotestedwithallitsmight。ItdoubleditselfupthewrongwayoverMrsPocket\'sarm，exhibitedapairofknittedshoesanddimpledanklestothecompanyinlieuofitssoftface，andwascarriedoutinthehigheststateofmutiny。Anditgaineditspointafterall，forIsawitthroughthewindowwithinafewminutes，beingnursedbylittleJane。

Ithappenedthattheotherfivechildrenwereleftbehindatthedinner-table，throughFlopson\'shavingsomeprivateengagement，andtheirnotbeinganybodyelse\'sbusiness。IthusbecameawareofthemutualrelationsbetweenthemandMrPocket，whichwereexemplifiedinthefollowingmanner。MrPocket，withthenormalperplexityofhisfaceheightenedandhishairrumpled，lookedatthemforsomeminutes，asifhecouldn\'tmakeouthowtheycametobeboardingandlodginginthatestablishment，andwhytheyhadn\'tbeenbilletedbyNatureonsomebodyelse。Then，inadistant，Missionarywayheaskedthemcertainquestions-aswhylittleJoehadthatholeinhisfrill:whosaid，Pa，Flopsonwasgoingtomenditwhenshehadtime-andhowlittleFannycamebythatwhitlow:whosaid，Pa，Millerswasgoingtopoulticeitwhenshedidn\'tforget。Then，hemeltedintoparentaltenderness，andgavethemashillingapieceandtoldthemtogoandplay；andthenastheywentout，withoneverystrongefforttolifthimselfupbythehairhedismissedthehopelesssubject。

Intheeveningtherewasrowingontheriver。AsDrummleandStartophadeachaboat，Iresolvedtosetupmine，andtocutthembothout。I

wasprettygoodatmostexercisesinwhichcountryboysareadepts，but，asIwasconsciousofwantingeleganceofstylefortheThames-nottosayforotherwaters-Iatonceengagedtoplacemyselfunderthetuitionofthewinnerofaprizewherrywhopliedatourstairs，andtowhomIwasintroducedbymynewallies。Thispracticalauthorityconfusedmeverymuch，bysayingIhadthearmofablacksmith。Ifhecouldhaveknownhownearlythecomplimentlosthimhispupil，Idoubtifhewouldhavepaidit。

Therewasasupper-trayafterwegothomeatnight，andIthinkweshouldallhaveenjoyedourselves，butforaratherdisagreeabledomesticoccurrence。

MrPocketwasingoodspirits，whenahousemaidcamein，andsaid，`Ifyouplease，sir，Ishouldwishtospeaktoyou。\'

`Speaktoyourmaster？\'saidMrsPocket，whosedignitywasrousedagain。

`Howcanyouthinkofsuchathing？GoandspeaktoFlopson。Orspeaktome-atsomeothertime。\'

`Beggingyourpardon，ma\'am，\'returnedthehousemaid，`Ishouldwishtospeakatonce，andtospeaktomaster。\'

Hereupon，MrPocketwentoutoftheroom，andwemadethebestofourselvesuntilhecameback。

`Thisisaprettything，Belinda！\'saidMrPocket，returningwithacountenanceexpressiveofgriefanddespair。`Here\'sthecooklyinginsensiblydrunkonthekitchenfloor，withalargebundleoffreshbuttermadeupinthecupboardreadytosellforgrease！\'

MrsPocketinstantlyshowedmuchamiableemotion，andsaid，`ThisisthatodiousSophia\'sdoing！\'

`Whatdoyoumean，Belinda？\'demandedMrPocket。

`Sophiahastoldyou，\'saidMrsPocket。`DidInotseeherwithmyowneyesandhearherwithmyownears，comeintotheroomjustnowandasktospeaktoyou？\'

`Buthasshenottakenmedownstairs，Belinda，\'returnedMrPocket，`andshownmethewoman，andthebundletoo？\'

`Anddoyoudefendher，Matthew，\'saidMrsPocket，`formakingmischief？\'

MrPocketutteredadismalgroan。

`AmI，grandpapa\'sgranddaughter，tobenothinginthehouse？\'saidMrsPocket。`Besides，thecookhasalwaysbeenaverynicerespectfulwoman，andsaidinthemostnaturalmannerwhenshecametolookafterthesituation，thatshefeltIwasborntobeaDuchess。\'

TherewasasofawhereMrPocketstood，andhedroppeduponitintheattitudeoftheDyingGladiator。Stillinthatattitudehesaid，withahollowvoice，`Goodnight，MrPip，\'whenIdeemeditadvisabletogotobedandleavehim。

Chapter24

AFTERtwoorthreedays，whenIhadestablishedmyselfinmyroomandhadgonebackwardsandforwardstoLondonseveraltimes，andhadorderedallIwantedofmytradesmen，MrPocketandIhadalongtalktogether。

HeknewmoreofmyintendedcareerthanIknewmyself，forthereferredtohishavingbeentoldbyMrJaggersthatIwasnotdesignedforanyprofession，andthatIshouldbewellenougheducatedformydestinyifIcould`holdmyown\'withtheaverageofyoungmeninprosperouscircumstances。Iacquiesced，ofcourse，knowingnothingtothecontrary。

HeadvisedmyattendingcertainplacesinLondon，fortheacquisitionofsuchmererudimentsasIwanted，andmyinvestinghimwiththefunctionsofexplaineranddirectorofallmystudies。HehopedthatwithintelligentassistanceIshouldmeetwithlittletodiscourageme，andshouldsoonbeabletodispensewithanyaidbuthis。Throughhiswayofsayingthis，andmuchmoretosimilarpurpose，heplacedhimselfonconfidentialtermswithmeinanadmirablemanner；andImaystateatoncethathewasalwayssozealousandhonourableinfulfillinghiscompactwithme，thathemademezealousandhonourableinfulfillingminewithhim。Ifhehadshownindifferenceasamaster，IhavenodoubtIshouldhavereturnedthecomplimentasapupil；hegavemenosuchexcuse，andeachofusdidtheotherjustice。

Nor，didIeverregardhimashavinganythingludicrousabouthim-oranythingbutwhatwasserious，honest，andgood-inhistutorcommunicationwithme。

Whenthesepointsweresettled，andsofarcarriedoutasthatIhadbeguntoworkinearnest，itoccurredtomethatifIcouldretainmybedroominBarnard\'sInn，mylifewouldbeagreeablyvaried，whilemymannerswouldbenonetheworseforHerbert\'ssociety。MrPocketdidnotobjecttothisarrangement，buturgedthatbeforeanystepcouldpossiblybetakeninit，itmustbesubmittedtomyguardian。IfeltthatthisdelicacyaroseoutoftheconsiderationthattheplanwouldsaveHerbertsomeexpense，soIwentofftoLittleBritainandimpartedmywishtoMrJaggers。

`IfIcouldbuythefurniturenowhiredforme，\'saidI，`andoneortwootherlittlethings，Ishouldbequiteathomethere。\'

`Goit！\'saidMrJaggers，withashortlaugh。`Itoldyouyou\'dgeton。Well！Howmuchdoyouwant？\'

IsaidIdidn\'tknowhowmuch。

`Come！\'retortedMrJaggers。`Howmuch？Fiftypounds？\'

`Oh，notnearlysomuch。\'

`Fivepounds？\'saidMrJaggers。

Thiswassuchagreatfall，thatIsaidindiscomfiture，`Oh！morethanthat。\'

`Morethanthat，eh！\'retortedMrJaggers，lyinginwaitforme，withhishandsinhispockets，hisheadononeside，andhiseyesonthewallbehindme；`howmuchmore？\'

`Itissodifficulttofixasum，\'saidI，hesitating。

`Come！\'saidMrJaggers。`Let\'sgetatit。Twicefive；willthatdo？

Threetimesfive；willthatdo？Fourtimesfive；willthatdo？\'

IsaidIthoughtthatwoulddohandsomely。

`Fourtimesfivewilldohandsomely，willit？\'saidMrJaggers，knittinghisbrows。`Now，whatdoyoumakeoffourtimesfive？\'

`WhatdoImakeofit？\'

`Ah！\'saidMrJaggers；`howmuch？\'

`Isupposeyoumakeittwentypounds，\'saidI，smiling。

`NevermindwhatImakeit，myfriend，\'observedMrJaggers，withaknowingandcontradictorytossofhishead。`Iwanttoknowwhatyoumakeit。\'

`Twentypounds，ofcourse。\'

`Wemmick！\'saidMrJaggers，openinghisofficedoor。`TakeMrPip\'swrittenorder，andpayhimtwentypounds。\'

Thisstronglymarkedwayofdoingbusinessmadeastronglymarkedimpressiononme，andthatnotofanagreeablekind。MrJaggersneverlaughed；butheworegreatbrightcreakingboots，and，inpoisinghimselfontheseboots，withhislargeheadbentdownandhiseyebrowsjoinedtogether，awaitingananswer，hesometimescausedthebootstocreak，asiftheylaughedinadryandsuspiciousway。Ashehappenedtogooutnow，andasWemmickwasbriskandtalkative，IsaidtoWemmickthatIhardlyknewwhattomakeofMrJaggers\'smanner。

`Tellhimthat，andhe\'lltakeitasacompliment，\'answeredWemmick；

`hedon\'tmeanthatyoushouldknowwhattomakeofit-Oh！\'forIlookedsurprised，`it\'snotpersonal；it\'sprofessional:onlyprofessional。\'

Wemmickwasathisdesk，lunching-andcrunching-onadryhardbiscuit；

piecesofwhichhethrewfromtimetotimeintohisslitofamouth，asifhewerepostingthem。

`Alwaysseemstome，\'saidWemmick，`asifhehadsetamantrapandwaswatchingit。Suddenly-click-you\'recaught！\'

Withoutremarkingthatman-trapswerenotamongtheamenitiesoflife，IsaidIsupposedhewasveryskilful？

`Deep，\'saidWemmick，`asAustralia。\'Pointingwithhispenattheofficefloor，toexpressthatAustraliawasunderstood，forthepurposesofthefigure，tobesymmetricallyontheoppositespotoftheglobe。`Iftherewasanythingdeeper，\'addedWemmick，bringinghispentopaper，`he\'dbeit。\'

Then，IsaidIsupposedhehadafinebusiness，andWemmicksaid，`Ca-pi-tal！\'

ThenIaskedifthereweremanyclerks？towhichhereplied:

`Wedon\'trunmuchintoclerks，becausethere\'sonlyoneJaggers，andpeoplewon\'thavehimatsecond-hand。Thereareonlyfourofus。Wouldyouliketosee\'em？Youareoneofus，asImaysay。\'

Iacceptedtheoffer。WhenMrWemmickhadputallthebiscuitintothepost，andhadpaidmemymoneyfromacash-boxinasafe，thekeyofwhichsafehekeptsomewheredownhisbackandproducedfromhiscoat-collarlikeanironpigtail，wewentup-stairs。Thehousewasdarkandshabby，andthegreasyshouldersthathadlefttheirmarkinMrJaggers\'sroom，seemedtohavebeenshufflingupanddownthestaircaseforyears。Inthefrontfirstfloor，aclerkwholookedsomethingbetweenapublicanandarat-catcher-alargepalepuffedswollenman-wasattentivelyengagedwiththreeorfourpeopleofshabbyappearance，whomhetreatedasunceremoniouslyaseverybodyseemedtobetreatedwhocontributedtoMrJaggers\'scoffers。

`Gettingevidencetogether，\'saidMrWemmick，aswecameout，`fortheBailey。\'Intheroomoverthat，alittleflabbyterrierofaclerkwithdanglinghair(hiscroppingseemedtohavebeenforgottenwhenhewasapuppy)wassimilarlyengagedwithamanwithweakeyes，whomMrWemmickpresentedtomeasasmelterwhokepthispotalwaysboiling，andwhowouldmeltmeanythingIpleased-andwhowasinanexcessivewhite-perspiration，asifhehadbeentryinghisartonhimself。Inabackroom，ahigh-shoulderedmanwithafaceachetiedupindirtyflannel，whowasdressedinoldblackclothesthatboretheappearanceofhavingbeenwaxed，wasstoopingoverhisworkofmakingfaircopiesofthenotesoftheothertwogentlemen，forMrJaggers\'sownuse。

Thiswasalltheestablishment。Whenwewentdown-stairsagain，Wemmickledmeintomyguardian\'sroom，andsaid，`Thisyou\'veseenalready。\'

`Pray，\'saidI，asthetwoodiouscastswiththetwitchyleeruponthemcaughtmysightagain，`whoselikenessesarethose？\'

`These？\'saidWemmick，gettinguponachair，andblowingthedustoffthehorribleheadsbeforebringingthemdown。`Thesearetwocelebratedones。Famousclientsofoursthatgotusaworldofcredit。Thischap(whyyoumusthavecomedowninthenightandbeenpeepingintotheinkstand，togetthisblotuponyoureyebrow，youoldrascal！)murderedhismaster，and，consideringthathewasn\'tbroughtuptoevidence，didn\'tplanitbadly。\'

`Isitlikehim？\'Iasked，recoilingfromthebrute，asWemmickspatuponhiseyebrowandgaveitarubwithhissleeve。

`Likehim？It\'shimself，youknow。ThecastwasmadeinNewgate，directlyafterhewastakendown。Youhadaparticularfancyforme，hadn\'tyou，OldArtful？\'saidWemmick。Hethenexplainedthisaffectionateapostrophe，bytouchinghisbroochrepresentingtheladyandtheweepingwillowatthetombwiththeurnuponit，andsaying，`Haditmadeforme，express！\'

`Istheladyanybody？\'saidI。

`No，\'returnedWemmick。`Onlyhisgame。(Youlikedyourbitofgame，didn\'tyou？)No；deuceabitofaladyinthecase，MrPip，exceptone-andshewasn\'tofthisslenderladylikesort，andyouwouldn\'thavecaughtherlookingafterthisurn-unlesstherewassomethingtodrinkinit。\'Wemmick\'sattentionbeingthusdirectedtohisbrooch，heputdownthecast，andpolishedthebroochwithhispocket-handkerchief。

`Didthatothercreaturecometothesameend？\'Iasked。`Hehasthesamelook。\'

`You\'reright，\'saidWemmick；`it\'sthegenuinelook。Muchasifonenostrilwascaughtupwithahorsehairandalittlefish-hook。Yes，hecametothesameend；quitethenaturalendhere，Iassureyou。Heforgedwills，thisbladedid，ifhedidn\'talsoputthesupposedtestatorstosleeptoo。YouwereagentlemanlyCove，though\'(MrWemmickwasagainapostrophizing)，`andyousaidyoucouldwriteGreek。Yah，Bounceable！Whataliaryouwere！I

nevermetsuchaliarasyou！\'Beforeputtinghislatefriendonhisshelfagain，Wemmicktouchedthelargestofhismourningringsandsaid，`Sentouttobuyitforme，onlythedaybefore。\'

Whilehewasputtinguptheothercastandcomingdownfromthechair，thethoughtcrossedmymindthatallhispersonaljewellerywasderivedfromlikesources。Ashehadshownnodiffidenceonthesubject，Iventuredonthelibertyofaskinghimthequestion，whenhestoodbeforeme，dustinghishands。

`Ohyes，\'hereturned，`theseareallgiftsofthatkind。Onebringsanother，yousee；that\'sthewayofit。Ialwaystake\'em。They\'recuriosities。

Andthey\'reproperty。Theymaynotbeworthmuch，but，afterall，they\'repropertyandportable。Itdon\'tsignifytoyouwithyourbrilliantlook-out，butastomyself，myguidingstaralwaysis，"Getholdofportableproperty"。\'

WhenIhadrenderedhomagetothislight，hewentontosay，inafriendlymanner:

`Ifatanyoddtimewhenyouhavenothingbettertodo，youwouldn\'tmindcomingovertoseemeatWalworth，Icouldofferyouabed，andI

shouldconsideritanhonour。Ihavenotmuchtoshowyou；butsuchtwoorthreecuriositiesasIhavegot，youmightliketolookover；andI

amfondofabitofgardenandasummer-house。\'

IsaidIshouldbedelightedtoaccepthishospitality。

`Thankee，\'saidhe；`thenwe\'llconsiderthatit\'stocomeoff，whenconvenienttoyou。HaveyoudinedwithMrJaggersyet？\'

`Notyet。\'

`Well，\'saidWemmick，`he\'llgiveyouwine，andgoodwine。I\'llgiveyoupunch，andnotbadpunch。andnowI\'lltellyousomething。WhenyougotodinewithMrJaggers，lookathishousekeeper。\'

`ShallIseesomethingveryuncommon？\'

`Well，\'saidWemmick，`you\'llseeawildbeasttamed。Notsoveryuncommon，you\'lltellme。Ireply，thatdependsontheoriginalwildnessofthebeast，andtheamountoftaming。Itwon\'tloweryouropinionofMrJaggers\'spowers。

Keepyoureyeonit。\'

ItoldhimIwoulddoso，withalltheinterestandcuriositythathispreparationawakened。AsIwastakingmydeparture，heaskedmeifIwouldliketodevotefiveminutestoseeingMrJaggers`atit？\'

Forseveralreasons，andnotleastbecauseIdidn\'tclearlyknowwhatMrJaggerswouldbefoundtobe`at，\'Irepliedintheaffirmative。WedivedintotheCity，andcameupinacrowdedpolicecourt，whereablood-relation(inthemurderoussense)ofthedeceasedwiththefancifultasteinbrooches，wasstandingatthebar，uncomfortablychewingsomething；whilemyguardianhadawomanunderexaminationorcross-examination-Idon\'tknowwhich-andwasstrikingher，andthebench，andeverybodypresent，withawe。

Ifanybody，ofwhatsoeverdegree，saidawordthathedidn\'tapproveof，heinstantlyrequiredtohaveit`takendown。\'Ifanybodywouldn\'tmakeanadmission，hesaid，`I\'llhaveitoutofyou！\'andifanybodymadeanadmission，hesaid，`NowIhavegotyou！\'themagistratesshiveredunderasinglebiteofhisfinger。Thievesandthieftakershungindreadraptureonhiswords，andshrankwhenahairofhiseyebrowsturnedintheirdirection。

Whichsidehewason，Icouldn\'tmakeout，forheseemedtometobegrindingthewholeplaceinamill；IonlyknowthatwhenIstoleoutontiptoe，hewasnotonthesideofthebench；for，hewasmakingthelegsoftheoldgentlemanwhopresided，quiteconvulsiveunderthetable，byhisdenunciationsofhisconductastherepresentativeofBritishlawandjusticeinthatchairthatday。

Chapter25

BENTLEYDRUMMLE，whowassosulkyafellowthatheeventookupabookasifitswriterhaddonehimaninjury，didnottakeupanacquaintanceinamoreagreeablespirit。Heavyinfigure，movement，andcomprehension-inthesluggishcomplexionofhisface，andinthelargeawkwardtonguethatseemedtolollaboutinhismouthashehimselflolledaboutinaroom-hewasidle，proud，niggardly，reserved，andsuspicious。HecameofrichpeopledowninSomersetshire，whohadnursedthiscombinationofqualitiesuntiltheymadethediscoverythatitwasjustofageandablockhead。

Thus，BentleyDrummlehadcometoMrPocketwhenhewasaheadtallerthanthatgentleman，andhalfadozenheadsthickerthanmostgentlemen。

Startophadbeenspoiltbyaweakmotherandkeptathomewhenheoughttohavebeenatschool，buthewasdevotedlyattachedtoher，andadmiredherbeyondmeasure。Hehadawoman\'sdelicacyoffeature，andwas-`asyoumaysee，thoughyouneversawher，\'saidHerberttome-exactlylikehismother。ItwasbutnaturalthatIshouldtaketohimmuchmorekindlythantoDrummle，andthat，evenintheearliesteveningsofourboating，heandIshouldpullhomewardabreastofoneanother，conversingfromboattoboat，whileBentleyDrummlecameupinourwakealone，undertheoverhangingbanksandamongtherushes。Hewouldalwayscreepin-shorelikesomeuncomfortableamphibiouscreature，evenwhenthetidewouldhavesenthimfastuponhisway；andIalwaysthinkofhimascomingafterusinthedarkorbytheback-water，whenourowntwoboatswerebreakingthesunsetorthemoonlightinmid-stream。

Herbertwasmyintimatecompanionandfriend。Ipresentedhimwithahalf-shareinmyboat，whichwastheoccasionofhisoftencomingdowntoHammersmith；andmypossessionofahalfshareinhischambersoftentookmeuptoLondon。Weusedtowalkbetweenthetwoplacesatallhours。

Ihaveanaffectionfortheroadyet(thoughitisnotsopleasantaroadasitwasthen)，formedintheimpressibilityofuntriedyouthandhope。

WhenIhadbeeninMrPocket\'sfamilyamonthortwo，MrandMrsCamillaturnedup。CamillawasMrPocket\'ssister。Georgiana，whomIhadseenatMissHavisham\'sonthesameoccasion，alsoturnedup。shewasacousin-anindigestivesinglewoman，whocalledherrigidityreligion，andherliverlove。Thesepeoplehatedmewiththehatredofcupidityanddisappointment。

Asamatterofcourse，theyfawneduponmeinmyprosperitywiththebasestmeanness。TowardsMrPocket，asagrown-upinfantwithnonotionofhisowninterests，theyshowedthecomplacentforbearanceIhadheardthemexpress。MrsPockettheyheldincontempt；buttheyallowedthepoorsoultohavebeenheavilydisappointedinlife，becausethatshedafeeblereflectedlightuponthemselves。

ThesewerethesurroundingsamongwhichIsettleddown，andappliedmyselftomyeducation。Isooncontractedexpensivehabits，andbegantospendanamountofmoneythatwithinafewshortmonthsIshouldhavethoughtalmostfabulous；butthroughgoodandevilIstucktomybooks。Therewasnoothermeritinthis，thanmyhavingsenseenoughtofeelmydeficiencies。

BetweenMrPocketandHerbertIgotonfast；and，withoneortheotheralwaysatmyelbowtogivemethestartIwanted，andclearobstructionsoutofmyroad，ImusthavebeenasgreatadoltasDrummleifIhaddoneless。

IhadnotseenMrWemmickforsomeweeks，whenIthoughtIwouldwritehimanoteandproposetogohomewithhimonacertainevening。Herepliedthatitwouldgivehimmuchpleasure，andthathewouldexpectmeattheofficeatsixo\'clock。ThitherIwent，andthereIfoundhim，puttingthekeyofhissafedownhisbackastheclockstruck。

`DidyouthinkofwalkingdowntoWalworth？\'saidhe。

`Certainly，\'saidI，`ifyouapprove。\'

`Verymuch，\'wasWemmick\'sreply，`forIhavehadmylegsunderthedeskallday，andshallbegladtostretchthem。Now，I\'lltellyouwhatIhavegotforsupper，MrPip。Ihavegotastewedsteak-whichisofhomepreparation-andacoldroastfowl-whichisfromthecook\'s-shop。

Ithinkit\'stender，becausethemasteroftheshopwasaJurymaninsomecasesofourstheotherday，andwelethimdowneasy。IremindedhimofitwhenIboughtthefowl，andIsaid，"Pickusoutagoodone，oldBriton，becauseifwehadchosentokeepyouintheboxanotherdayortwo，wecouldeasilyhavedoneit。"Hesaidtothat，"Letmemakeyouapresentofthebestfowlintheshop。"Ilethim，ofcourse。Asfarasitgoes，it\'spropertyandportable。Youdon\'tobjecttoanagedparent，Ihope？\'

Ireallythoughthewasstillspeakingofthefowl，untilheadded，`BecauseIhavegotanagedparentatmyplace。\'Ithensaidwhatpolitenessrequired。

`So，youhaven\'tdinedwithMrJaggersyet？\'hepursued，aswewalkedalong。

`Notyet。\'

`Hetoldmesothisafternoonwhenheheardyouwerecoming。Iexpectyou\'llhaveaninvitationto-morrow。He\'sgoingtoaskyourpals，too。

Threeof\'em；ain\'tthere？\'

AlthoughIwasnotinthehabitofcountingDrummleasoneofmyintimateassociates，Ianswered，`Yes。\'

`Well，he\'sgoingtoaskthewholegang；\'Ihardlyfeltcomplimentedbytheword；`andwhateverhegivesyou，he\'llgiveyougood。Don\'tlookforwardtovariety，butyou\'llhaveexcellence。Andthere\'sanotherrumthinginhishouse，\'proceededWemmick，afteramoment\'spause，asiftheremarkfollowedonthehousekeeperunderstood；`heneverletsadoororwindowbefastenedatnight。\'

`Isheneverrobbed？\'

`That\'sit！\'returnedWemmick。`Hesays，andgivesitoutpublicly，"Iwanttoseethemanwho\'llrobme。"Lordblessyou，Ihaveheardhim，ahundredtimesifIhaveheardhimonce，saytoregularcracksmeninourfrontoffice，"YouknowwhereIlive；now，noboltiseverdrawnthere；whydon\'tyoudoastrokeofbusinesswithme？Come；can\'tItemptyou？"Notamanofthem，sir，wouldbeboldenoughtotryiton，forloveormoney。\'

`Theydreadhimsomuch？\'saidI。

`Dreadhim，\'saidWemmick。`Ibelieveyoutheydreadhim。Notbutwhathe\'sartful，eveninhisdefianceofthem。Nosilver，sir。Britanniametal，everyspoon。\'

`Sotheywouldn\'thavemuch，\'Iobserved，`evenifthey——\'

`Ah！Buthewouldhavemuch，\'saidWemmick，cuttingmeshort，`andtheyknowit。He\'dhavetheirlives，andthelivesofscoresof\'em。

He\'dhaveallhecouldget。Andit\'simpossibletosaywhathecouldn\'tget，ifhegavehismindtoit。\'

Iwasfallingintomeditationonmyguardian\'sgreatness，whenWemmickremarked:

`Astotheabsenceofplate，that\'sonlyhisnaturaldepth，youknow。

Ariver\'sitsnaturaldepth，andhe\'shisnaturaldepth。Lookathiswatch-chain。

That\'srealenough。\'

`It\'sverymassive，\'saidI。

`Massive？\'repeatedWemmick。`Ithinkso。Andhiswatchisagoldrepeater，andworthahundredpoundifit\'sworthapenny。MrPip，thereareaboutsevenhundredthievesinthistownwhoknowallaboutthatwatch；there\'snotaman，awoman，orachild，amongthem，whowouldn\'tidentifythesmallestlinkinthatchain，anddropitasifitwasred-hot，ifinveigledintotouchingit。\'

Atfirstwithsuchdiscourse，andafterwardswithconversationofamoregeneralnature，didMrWemmickandIbeguilethetimeandtheroad，untilhegavemetounderstandthatwehadarrivedinthedistrictofWalworth。

Itappearedtobeacollectionofbacklanes，ditches，andlittlegardens，andtopresenttheaspectofaratherdullretirement。Wemmick\'shousewasalittlewoodencottageinthemidstofplotsofgarden，andthetopofitwascutoutandpaintedlikeabatterymountedwithguns。

`Myowndoing，\'saidWemmick。`Lookspretty；don\'tit？\'

Ihighlycommendedit，IthinkitwasthesmallesthouseIeversaw；

withthequeerestgothicwindows(byfarthegreaterpartofthemsham)，andagothicdoor，almosttoosmalltogetinat。

`That\'sarealflagstaff，yousee，\'saidWemmick，`andonSundaysI

runuparealflag。Thenlookhere。AfterIhavecrossedthisbridge，I

hoistitup-so-andcutoffthecommunication。\'

Thebridgewasaplank，anditcrossedachasmaboutfourfeetwideandtwodeep。Butitwasverypleasanttoseethepridewithwhichhehoisteditupandmadeitfast；smilingashedidso，witharelishandnotmerelymechanically。

`Atnineo\'clockeverynight，Greenwichtime，\'saidWemmick，`thegunfires。Thereheis，yousee！Andwhenyouhearhimgo，Ithinkyou\'llsayhe\'saStinger。\'

Thepieceofordnancereferredto，wasmountedinaseparatefortress，constructedoflattice-work。Itwasprotectedfromtheweatherbyaningeniouslittletarpaulincontrivanceinthenatureofanumbrella。

`Then，attheback，\'saidWemmick，`outofsight，soasnottoimpedetheideaoffortifications-forit\'saprinciplewithme，ifyouhaveanidea，carryitoutandkeepitup-Idon\'tknowwhetherthat\'syouropinion——\'

Isaid，decidedly。

`-Attheback，there\'sapig，andtherearefowlsandrabbits；then，Iknocktogethermyownlittleframe，yousee，andgrowcucumbers；andyou\'lljudgeatsupperwhatsortofasaladIcanraise。So，sir，\'saidWemmick，smilingagain，butseriouslytoo，asheshookhishead，`ifyoucansupposethelittleplacebesieged，itwouldholdoutadevilofatimeinpointofprovisions。\'

Then，heconductedmetoaboweraboutadozenyardsoff，butwhichwasapproachedbysuchingenioustwistsofpaththatittookquitealongtimetogetat；andinthisretreatourglasseswerealreadysetforth。

Ourpunchwascoolinginanornamentallake，onwhosemarginthebowerwasraised。Thispieceofwater(withanislandinthemiddlewhichmighthavebeenthesaladforsupper)wasofacircularform，andhehadconstructedafountaininit，which，whenyousetalittlemillgoingandtookacorkoutofapipe，playedtothatpowerfulextentthatitmadethebackofyourhandquitewet。