Great Expectations

When he had done it, he resumed his seat and drank to my sister. "Let us

never be blind," said Mr. Pumblechook, "to her faults of temper, but it

is to be hoped she meant well."

At about this time, I began to observe that he was getting flushed in

the face; as to myself, I felt all face, steeped in wine and smarting.

I mentioned to Mr. Pumblechook that I wished to have my new clothes

sent to his house, and he was ecstatic on my so distinguishing him. I

mentioned my reason for desiring to avoid observation in the village,

and he lauded it to the skies. There was nobody but himself, he

intimated, worthy of my confidence, and--in short, might he? Then he

asked me tenderly if I remembered our boyish games at sums, and how we

had gone together to have me bound apprentice, and, in effect, how he

had ever been my favorite fancy and my chosen friend? If I had taken

ten times as many glasses of wine as I had, I should have known that he

never had stood in that relation towards me, and should in my heart of

hearts have repudiated the idea. Yet for all that, I remember feeling

convinced that I had been much mistaken in him, and that he was a

sensible, practical, good-hearted prime fellow.

By degrees he fell to reposing such great confidence in me, as to ask my

advice in reference to his own affairs. He mentioned that there was an

opportunity for a great amalgamation and monopoly of the corn and seed

trade on those premises, if enlarged, such as had never occurred

before in that or any other neighborhood. What alone was wanting to the

realization of a vast fortune, he considered to be More Capital.

Those were the two little words, more capital. Now it appeared to him

(Pumblechook) that if that capital were got into the business, through a

sleeping partner, sir,--which sleeping partner would have nothing to

do but walk in, by self or deputy, whenever he pleased, and examine

the books,--and walk in twice a year and take his profits away in his

pocket, to the tune of fifty per cent,--it appeared to him that that

might be an opening for a young gentleman of spirit combined with

property, which would be worthy of his attention. But what did I think?

He had great confidence in my opinion, and what did I think? I gave it

as my opinion. "Wait a bit!" The united vastness and distinctness of

this view so struck him, that he no longer asked if he might shake hands

with me, but said he really must,--and did.