"Oh!" said he. "You have heard of the name. But the question is, what do

you say of it?"

I said, or tried to say, that I was much obliged to him for his

recommendation-"No, my young friend!" he interrupted, shaking his great head very

slowly. "Recollect yourself!"

Not recollecting myself, I began again that I was much obliged to him

for his recommendation-"No, my young friend," he interrupted, shaking his head and frowning and

smiling both at once,--"no, no, no; it's very well done, but it won't

do; you are too young to fix me with it. Recommendation is not the word,

Mr. Pip. Try another."

Correcting myself, I said that I was much obliged to him for his mention

of Mr. Matthew Pocket-"That's more like it!" cried Mr. Jaggers.--And (I added), I would

gladly try that gentleman.

"Good. You had better try him in his own house. The way shall be

prepared for you, and you can see his son first, who is in London. When

will you come to London?"

I said (glancing at Joe, who stood looking on, motionless), that I

supposed I could come directly.

"First," said Mr. Jaggers, "you should have some new clothes to come in,

and they should not be working-clothes. Say this day week. You'll want

some money. Shall I leave you twenty guineas?"

He produced a long purse, with the greatest coolness, and counted them

out on the table and pushed them over to me. This was the first time he

had taken his leg from the chair. He sat astride of the chair when he

had pushed the money over, and sat swinging his purse and eyeing Joe.

"Well, Joseph Gargery? You look dumbfoundered?"

"I am!" said Joe, in a very decided manner.

"It was understood that you wanted nothing for yourself, remember?"

"It were understood," said Joe. "And it are understood. And it ever will

be similar according."

"But what," said Mr. Jaggers, swinging his purse,--"what if it was in my

instructions to make you a present, as compensation?"

"As compensation what for?" Joe demanded.

"For the loss of his services."

Joe laid his hand upon my shoulder with the touch of a woman. I have

often thought him since, like the steam-hammer that can crush a man or

pat an egg-shell, in his combination of strength with gentleness. "Pip

is that hearty welcome," said Joe, "to go free with his services, to

honor and fortun', as no words can tell him. But if you think as Money

can make compensation to me for the loss of the little child--what come

to the forge--and ever the best of friends!--"




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