Now, when I saw Joe open his blue eyes and roll them all round the

kitchen in helpless amazement, I was overtaken by penitence; but only as

regarded him,--not in the least as regarded the other two. Towards

Joe, and Joe only, I considered myself a young monster, while they sat

debating what results would come to me from Miss Havisham's acquaintance

and favor. They had no doubt that Miss Havisham would "do something"

for me; their doubts related to the form that something would take.

My sister stood out for "property." Mr. Pumblechook was in favor of a

handsome premium for binding me apprentice to some genteel trade,--say,

the corn and seed trade, for instance. Joe fell into the deepest

disgrace with both, for offering the bright suggestion that I might only

be presented with one of the dogs who had fought for the veal-cutlets.

"If a fool's head can't express better opinions than that," said my

sister, "and you have got any work to do, you had better go and do it."

So he went.

After Mr. Pumblechook had driven off, and when my sister was washing up,

I stole into the forge to Joe, and remained by him until he had done for

the night. Then I said, "Before the fire goes out, Joe, I should like to

tell you something."

"Should you, Pip?" said Joe, drawing his shoeing-stool near the forge.

"Then tell us. What is it, Pip?"

"Joe," said I, taking hold of his rolled-up shirt sleeve, and twisting

it between my finger and thumb, "you remember all that about Miss

Havisham's?"

"Remember?" said Joe. "I believe you! Wonderful!"

"It's a terrible thing, Joe; it ain't true."

"What are you telling of, Pip?" cried Joe, falling back in the greatest

amazement. "You don't mean to say it's--"

"Yes I do; it's lies, Joe."

"But not all of it? Why sure you don't mean to say, Pip, that there was

no black welwet co--ch?" For, I stood shaking my head. "But at least

there was dogs, Pip? Come, Pip," said Joe, persuasively, "if there

warn't no weal-cutlets, at least there was dogs?"

"No, Joe."

"A dog?" said Joe. "A puppy? Come?"

"No, Joe, there was nothing at all of the kind."

As I fixed my eyes hopelessly on Joe, Joe contemplated me in dismay.

"Pip, old chap! This won't do, old fellow! I say! Where do you expect to

go to?"




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