Great Expectations

"These twelve years, more likely," said Wemmick. "Yes. I'm going to take

a holiday. More than that; I'm going to take a walk. More than that; I'm

going to ask you to take a walk with me."

I was about to excuse myself, as being but a bad companion just then,

when Wemmick anticipated me.

"I know your engagements," said he, "and I know you are out of sorts,

Mr. Pip. But if you could oblige me, I should take it as a kindness.

It ain't a long walk, and it's an early one. Say it might occupy you

(including breakfast on the walk) from eight to twelve. Couldn't you

stretch a point and manage it?"

He had done so much for me at various times, that this was very little

to do for him. I said I could manage it,--would manage it,--and he was

so very much pleased by my acquiescence, that I was pleased too. At his

particular request, I appointed to call for him at the Castle at half

past eight on Monday morning, and so we parted for the time.

Punctual to my appointment, I rang at the Castle gate on the Monday

morning, and was received by Wemmick himself, who struck me as looking

tighter than usual, and having a sleeker hat on. Within, there were two

glasses of rum and milk prepared, and two biscuits. The Aged must have

been stirring with the lark, for, glancing into the perspective of his

bedroom, I observed that his bed was empty.

When we had fortified ourselves with the rum and milk and biscuits, and

were going out for the walk with that training preparation on us, I was

considerably surprised to see Wemmick take up a fishing-rod, and put

it over his shoulder. "Why, we are not going fishing!" said I. "No,"

returned Wemmick, "but I like to walk with one."

I thought this odd; however, I said nothing, and we set off. We went

towards Camberwell Green, and when we were thereabouts, Wemmick said

suddenly,-"Halloa! Here's a church!"

There was nothing very surprising in that; but again, I was rather

surprised, when he said, as if he were animated by a brilliant idea,-"Let's go in!"

We went in, Wemmick leaving his fishing-rod in the porch, and looked all

round. In the mean time, Wemmick was diving into his coat-pockets, and

getting something out of paper there.

"Halloa!" said he. "Here's a couple of pair of gloves! Let's put 'em

on!"