Great Expectations

"MY DEAR MR PIP:-

"I write this by request of Mr. Gargery, for to let you know that he

is going to London in company with Mr. Wopsle and would be glad if

agreeable to be allowed to see you. He would call at Barnard's Hotel

Tuesday morning at nine o'clock, when if not agreeable please leave

word. Your poor sister is much the same as when you left. We talk of you

in the kitchen every night, and wonder what you are saying and doing. If

now considered in the light of a liberty, excuse it for the love of

poor old days. No more, dear Mr. Pip, from your ever obliged, and

affectionate servant,

"BIDDY."

"P.S. He wishes me most particular to write what larks. He says you will

understand. I hope and do not doubt it will be agreeable to see him,

even though a gentleman, for you had ever a good heart, and he is a

worthy, worthy man. I have read him all, excepting only the last little

sentence, and he wishes me most particular to write again what larks."

I received this letter by the post on Monday morning, and therefore its

appointment was for next day. Let me confess exactly with what feelings

I looked forward to Joe's coming.

Not with pleasure, though I was bound to him by so many ties; no;

with considerable disturbance, some mortification, and a keen sense of

incongruity. If I could have kept him away by paying money, I certainly

would have paid money. My greatest reassurance was that he was coming

to Barnard's Inn, not to Hammersmith, and consequently would not fall

in Bentley Drummle's way. I had little objection to his being seen by

Herbert or his father, for both of whom I had a respect; but I had the

sharpest sensitiveness as to his being seen by Drummle, whom I held in

contempt. So, throughout life, our worst weaknesses and meannesses are

usually committed for the sake of the people whom we most despise.

I had begun to be always decorating the chambers in some quite

unnecessary and inappropriate way or other, and very expensive those

wrestles with Barnard proved to be. By this time, the rooms were

vastly different from what I had found them, and I enjoyed the honor

of occupying a few prominent pages in the books of a neighboring

upholsterer. I had got on so fast of late, that I had even started a boy

in boots,--top boots,--in bondage and slavery to whom I might have been

said to pass my days. For, after I had made the monster (out of the

refuse of my washerwoman's family), and had clothed him with a blue

coat, canary waistcoat, white cravat, creamy breeches, and the boots

already mentioned, I had to find him a little to do and a great deal

to eat; and with both of those horrible requirements he haunted my

existence.