"That's just what I don't want, Joe. They would make such a business of

it,--such a coarse and common business,--that I couldn't bear myself."

"Ah, that indeed, Pip!" said Joe. "If you couldn't abear yourself--"

Biddy asked me here, as she sat holding my sister's plate, "Have you

thought about when you'll show yourself to Mr. Gargery, and your sister

and me? You will show yourself to us; won't you?"

"Biddy," I returned with some resentment, "you are so exceedingly quick

that it's difficult to keep up with you."

("She always were quick," observed Joe.) "If you had waited another moment, Biddy, you would have heard me say

that I shall bring my clothes here in a bundle one evening,--most likely

on the evening before I go away."

Biddy said no more. Handsomely forgiving her, I soon exchanged an

affectionate good night with her and Joe, and went up to bed. When I got

into my little room, I sat down and took a long look at it, as a mean

little room that I should soon be parted from and raised above, for

ever. It was furnished with fresh young remembrances too, and even at

the same moment I fell into much the same confused division of mind

between it and the better rooms to which I was going, as I had been in

so often between the forge and Miss Havisham's, and Biddy and Estella.

The sun had been shining brightly all day on the roof of my attic, and

the room was warm. As I put the window open and stood looking out, I saw

Joe come slowly forth at the dark door, below, and take a turn or two

in the air; and then I saw Biddy come, and bring him a pipe and light

it for him. He never smoked so late, and it seemed to hint to me that he

wanted comforting, for some reason or other.

He presently stood at the door immediately beneath me, smoking his pipe,

and Biddy stood there too, quietly talking to him, and I knew that they

talked of me, for I heard my name mentioned in an endearing tone by both

of them more than once. I would not have listened for more, if I could

have heard more; so I drew away from the window, and sat down in my one

chair by the bedside, feeling it very sorrowful and strange that this

first night of my bright fortunes should be the loneliest I had ever

known.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024