Great Expectations

It was on the third or fourth occasion of my going out walking in the

Temple Gardens leaning on Joe's arm, that I saw this change in him very

plainly. We had been sitting in the bright warm sunlight, looking at the

river, and I chanced to say as we got up,-"See, Joe! I can walk quite strongly. Now, you shall see me walk back by

myself."

"Which do not overdo it, Pip," said Joe; "but I shall be happy fur to

see you able, sir."

The last word grated on me; but how could I remonstrate! I walked no

further than the gate of the gardens, and then pretended to be

weaker than I was, and asked Joe for his arm. Joe gave it me, but was

thoughtful.

I, for my part, was thoughtful too; for, how best to check this growing

change in Joe was a great perplexity to my remorseful thoughts. That I

was ashamed to tell him exactly how I was placed, and what I had come

down to, I do not seek to conceal; but I hope my reluctance was not

quite an unworthy one. He would want to help me out of his little

savings, I knew, and I knew that he ought not to help me, and that I

must not suffer him to do it.

It was a thoughtful evening with both of us. But, before we went to

bed, I had resolved that I would wait over to-morrow,--to-morrow being

Sunday,--and would begin my new course with the new week. On Monday

morning I would speak to Joe about this change, I would lay aside this

last vestige of reserve, I would tell him what I had in my thoughts

(that Secondly, not yet arrived at), and why I had not decided to go

out to Herbert, and then the change would be conquered for ever. As I

cleared, Joe cleared, and it seemed as though he had sympathetically

arrived at a resolution too.

We had a quiet day on the Sunday, and we rode out into the country, and

then walked in the fields.

"I feel thankful that I have been ill, Joe," I said.

"Dear old Pip, old chap, you're a'most come round, sir."

"It has been a memorable time for me, Joe."

"Likeways for myself, sir," Joe returned.

"We have had a time together, Joe, that I can never forget. There were

days once, I know, that I did for a while forget; but I never shall

forget these."