Great Expectations

"O dear old Pip, old chap," said Joe. "God knows as I forgive you, if I

have anythink to forgive!"

"Amen! And God knows I do!" echoed Biddy.

"Now let me go up and look at my old little room, and rest there a few

minutes by myself. And then, when I have eaten and drunk with you, go

with me as far as the finger-post, dear Joe and Biddy, before we say

good by!"

I sold all I had, and put aside as much as I could, for a composition

with my creditors,--who gave me ample time to pay them in full,--and I

went out and joined Herbert. Within a month, I had quitted England,

and within two months I was clerk to Clarriker and Co., and within four

months I assumed my first undivided responsibility. For the beam across

the parlor ceiling at Mill Pond Bank had then ceased to tremble under

old Bill Barley's growls and was at peace, and Herbert had gone away to

marry Clara, and I was left in sole charge of the Eastern Branch until

he brought her back.

Many a year went round before I was a partner in the House; but I lived

happily with Herbert and his wife, and lived frugally, and paid my

debts, and maintained a constant correspondence with Biddy and Joe. It

was not until I became third in the Firm, that Clarriker betrayed me to

Herbert; but he then declared that the secret of Herbert's partnership

had been long enough upon his conscience, and he must tell it. So he

told it, and Herbert was as much moved as amazed, and the dear fellow

and I were not the worse friends for the long concealment. I must not

leave it to be supposed that we were ever a great House, or that we made

mints of money. We were not in a grand way of business, but we had a

good name, and worked for our profits, and did very well. We owed so

much to Herbert's ever cheerful industry and readiness, that I often

wondered how I had conceived that old idea of his inaptitude, until I

was one day enlightened by the reflection, that perhaps the inaptitude

had never been in him at all, but had been in me.