Great Expectations
Page 283At 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
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?"
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?"
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.