At last, the old woman and the niece came in,--the latter with a head

not easily distinguishable from her dusty broom,--and testified surprise

at sight of me and the fire. To whom I imparted how my uncle had come in

the night and was then asleep, and how the breakfast preparations were

to be modified accordingly. Then I washed and dressed while they knocked

the furniture about and made a dust; and so, in a sort of dream

or sleep-waking, I found myself sitting by the fire again, waiting

for-Him--to come to breakfast.

By and by, his door opened and he came out. I could not bring myself to

bear the sight of him, and I thought he had a worse look by daylight.

"I do not even know," said I, speaking low as he took his seat at the

table, "by what name to call you. I have given out that you are my

uncle."

"That's it, dear boy! Call me uncle."

"You assumed some name, I suppose, on board ship?"

"Yes, dear boy. I took the name of Provis."

"Do you mean to keep that name?"

"Why, yes, dear boy, it's as good as another,--unless you'd like

another."

"What is your real name?" I asked him in a whisper.

"Magwitch," he answered, in the same tone; "chrisen'd Abel."

"What were you brought up to be?"

"A warmint, dear boy."

He answered quite seriously, and used the word as if it denoted some

profession.

"When you came into the Temple last night--" said I, pausing to wonder

whether that could really have been last night, which seemed so long

ago.

"Yes, dear boy?"

"When you came in at the gate and asked the watchman the way here, had

you any one with you?"

"With me? No, dear boy."

"But there was some one there?"

"I didn't take particular notice," he said, dubiously, "not knowing the

ways of the place. But I think there was a person, too, come in alonger

me."

"Are you known in London?"

"I hope not!" said he, giving his neck a jerk with his forefinger that

made me turn hot and sick.

"Were you known in London, once?"

"Not over and above, dear boy. I was in the provinces mostly."

"Were you-tried--in London?"

"Which time?" said he, with a sharp look.




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