Great Expectations

The last word was flung at the boy, who had not the least notion what

it meant. But I saw him collapse as his master rubbed me out with his

hands, and my first decided experience of the stupendous power of money

was, that it had morally laid upon his back Trabb's boy.

After this memorable event, I went to the hatter's, and the bootmaker's,

and the hosier's, and felt rather like Mother Hubbard's dog whose outfit

required the services of so many trades. I also went to the coach-office

and took my place for seven o'clock on Saturday morning. It was

not necessary to explain everywhere that I had come into a handsome

property; but whenever I said anything to that effect, it followed that

the officiating tradesman ceased to have his attention diverted through

the window by the High Street, and concentrated his mind upon me. When

I had ordered everything I wanted, I directed my steps towards

Pumblechook's, and, as I approached that gentleman's place of business,

I saw him standing at his door.

He was waiting for me with great impatience. He had been out early with

the chaise-cart, and had called at the forge and heard the news. He had

prepared a collation for me in the Barnwell parlor, and he too ordered

his shopman to "come out of the gangway" as my sacred person passed.

"My dear friend," said Mr. Pumblechook, taking me by both hands, when

he and I and the collation were alone, "I give you joy of your good

fortune. Well deserved, well deserved!"

This was coming to the point, and I thought it a sensible way of

expressing himself.

"To think," said Mr. Pumblechook, after snorting admiration at me for

some moments, "that I should have been the humble instrument of leading

up to this, is a proud reward."

I begged Mr. Pumblechook to remember that nothing was to be ever said or

hinted, on that point.

"My dear young friend," said Mr. Pumblechook; "if you will allow me to

call you so--"

I murmured "Certainly," and Mr. Pumblechook took me by both hands again,

and communicated a movement to his waistcoat, which had an emotional

appearance, though it was rather low down, "My dear young friend, rely

upon my doing my little all in your absence, by keeping the fact before

the mind of Joseph.--Joseph!" said Mr. Pumblechook, in the way of a

compassionate adjuration. "Joseph!! Joseph!!!" Thereupon he shook his

head and tapped it, expressing his sense of deficiency in Joseph.