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Great Expectations

Page 413

A low murmur from the two replied. The waiter appeared to be

particularly affected.

"This is him," said Pumblechook, "as I have rode in my shay-cart. This

is him as I have seen brought up by hand. This is him untoe the sister

of which I was uncle by marriage, as her name was Georgiana M'ria from

her own mother, let him deny it if he can!"

The waiter seemed convinced that I could not deny it, and that it gave

the case a black look.

"Young man," said Pumblechook, screwing his head at me in the old

fashion, "you air a going to Joseph. What does it matter to me, you

ask me, where you air a going? I say to you, Sir, you air a going to

Joseph."

The waiter coughed, as if he modestly invited me to get over that.

"Now," said Pumblechook, and all this with a most exasperating air

of saying in the cause of virtue what was perfectly convincing and

conclusive, "I will tell you what to say to Joseph. Here is Squires of

the Boar present, known and respected in this town, and here is William,

which his father's name was Potkins if I do not deceive myself."

"You do not, sir," said William.

"In their presence," pursued Pumblechook, "I will tell you, young

man, what to say to Joseph. Says you, "Joseph, I have this day seen

my earliest benefactor and the founder of my fortun's. I will name no

names, Joseph, but so they are pleased to call him up town, and I have

seen that man."

"I swear I don't see him here," said I.

"Say that likewise," retorted Pumblechook. "Say you said that, and even

Joseph will probably betray surprise."

"There you quite mistake him," said I. "I know better."

"Says you," Pumblechook went on, "'Joseph, I have seen that man, and

that man bears you no malice and bears me no malice. He knows your

character, Joseph, and is well acquainted with your pig-headedness and

ignorance; and he knows my character, Joseph, and he knows my want of

gratitoode. Yes, Joseph,' says you," here Pumblechook shook his head and

hand at me, "'he knows my total deficiency of common human gratitoode.

He knows it, Joseph, as none can. You do not know it, Joseph, having no

call to know it, but that man do.'"

Windy donkey as he was, it really amazed me that he could have the face

to talk thus to mine.

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