`WouldyougivemetheTime？'saidthesergeant，addressinghimselftoMrPumblechook，astoamanwhoseappreciativepowersjustifiedtheinferencethathewasequaltothetime。
`It'sjustgonehalf-pasttwo。'
`That'snotsobad，'saidthesergeant，reflecting；`evenifIwasforcedtohaltherenightwohours，that'lldo。Howfarmightyoucallyourselvesfromthemarshes，hereabouts？Notaboveamile，Ireckon？'
`Justamile，'saidMrsJoe。
`That'lldo。Webegintocloseinupon'emaboutdusk。Alittlebeforedusk，myordersare。That'lldo。'
`Convicts，sergeant？'askedMrWopsle，inamatter-of-courseway。
`Ay！'returnedthesergeant，`two。They'reprettywellknowntobeoutonthemarshesstill，andtheywon'ttrytogetclearof'embeforedusk。
Anybodyhereseenanythingofanysuchgame？'
Everybody，myselfexcepted，saidno，withconfidence。Nobodythoughtofme。
`Well！'saidthesergeant，`they'llfindthemselvestrappedinacircle，Iexpect，soonerthantheycounton。Now，blacksmith！Ifyou'reready，hisMajestytheKingis。'
Joehadgothiscoatandwaistcoatandcravatoff，andhisleatherapronon，andpassedintotheforge。Oneofthesoldiersopeneditswoodenwindows，anotherlightenedthefire，anotherturnedtoatthebellows，thereststoodroundtheblaze，whichwassoonroaring。ThenJoebegantohammerandclink，hammerandclink，andwealllookedon。
Theinterestoftheimpendingpursuitnotonlyabsorbedthegeneralattention，butevenmademysisterliberal。Shedrewapitcherofbeerfromthecask，forthesoldiers，andinvitedthesergeanttotakeaglassofbrandy。ButMrPumblechooksaid，sharply，`Givehimwine，Mum。I'llengagethere'snoTarinthat:'so，thesergeantthankedhimandsaidthatashepreferredhisdrinkwithouttar，hewouldtakewine，ifitwasequallyconvenient。Whenitwasgivenhim，hedrankhisMajesty'shealthandComplimentsoftheSeason，andtookitallatamouthfulandsmackedhislips。
`Goodstuff，eh，sergeant？'saidMrPumblechook。
`I'lltellyousomething，'returnedthesergeant；`Isuspectthatstuff'sofyourproviding。'
Mr。Pumblechook，withafatsortoflaugh，said，`Ay，ay？Why？'
`Because，'returnedthesergeant，clappinghimontheshoulder，`you'reamanthatknowswhat'swhat。'
`D'yethinkso？'saidMrPumblechook，withhisformerlaugh。`Haveanotherglass！'
`Withyou。Hobandnob，'returnedthesergeant。`Thetopofminetothefootofyours-thefootofyourstothetopofmine-Ringonce，ringtwice-thebesttuneontheMusicalGlasses！Yourhealth。Mayyouliveathousandyears，andneverbeaworsejudgeoftherightsortthanyouareatthepresentmomentofyourlife！'
Thesergeanttossedoffhisglassagainandseemedquitereadyforanotherglass。InoticedthatMrPumblechookinhishospitalityappearedtoforgetthathehadmadeapresentofthewine，buttookthebottlefromMrsJoeandhadallthecreditofhandingitaboutinagushofjoviality。EvenIgotsome。Andhewassoveryfreeofthewinethatheevencalledfortheotherbottle，andhandedthataboutwiththesameliberality，whenthefirstwasgone。
AsIwatchedthemwhiletheyallstoodclusteringabouttheforge，enjoyingthemselvessomuch，Ithoughtwhatterriblegoodsauceforadinnermyfugitivefriendonthemarsheswas。Theyhadnotenjoyedthemselvesaquartersomuch，beforetheentertainmentwasbrightenedwiththeexcitementhefurnished。Andnow，whentheywereallinlivelyanticipationof`thetwovillains'beingtaken，andwhenthebellowsseemedtoroarforthefugitives，thefiretoflareforthem，thesmoketohurryawayinpursuitofthem，Joetohammerandclinkforthem，andallthemurkyshadowsonthewalltoshakeattheminmenaceastheblazeroseandsankandthered-hotsparksdroppedanddied，thepaleafter-noonoutside，almostseemedinmypityingyoungfancytohaveturnedpaleontheiraccount，poorwretches。
Atlast，Joe'sjobwasdone，andtheringingandroaringstopped。AsJoegotonhiscoat，hemusteredcouragetoproposethatsomeofusshouldgodownwiththesoldiersandseewhatcameofthehunt。MrPumblechookandMrHubbledeclined，onthepleaofapipeandladies'society；butMrWopslesaidhewouldgo，ifJoewould。Joesaidhewasagreeable，andwouldtakeme，ifMrsJoeapproved。Wenevershouldhavegotleavetogo，Iamsure，butforMrsJoe'scuriositytoknowallaboutitandhowitended。Asitwas，shemerelystipulated，`Ifyoubringtheboybackwithhisheadblowntobitsbyamusket，don'tlooktometoputittogetheragain。'
Thesergeanttookapoliteleaveoftheladies，andpartedfromMrPumblechookasfromacomrade；thoughIdoubtifhewerequiteasfullysensibleofthatgentleman'smeritsunderaridconditions，aswhensomethingmoistwasgoing。Hismenresumedtheirmusketsandfellin。MrWopsle，Joe，andI，receivedstrictchargetokeepintherear，andtospeaknowordafterwereachedthemarshes。Whenwewerealloutintherawairandweresteadilymovingtowardsourbusiness，ItreasonablywhisperedtoJoe，`Ihope，Joe，weshan'tfindthem。'andJoewhisperedtome，`I'dgiveashillingiftheyhadcutandrun，Pip。'
Wewerejoinedbynostragglersfromthevillage，fortheweatherwascoldandthreatening，thewaydreary，thefootinghad，darknesscomingon，andthepeoplehadgoodfiresin-doorsandwerekeepingtheday。A
fewfaceshurriedtoglowingwindowsandlookedafterus，butnonecameout。Wepassedthefinger-post，andheldstraightontothechurchyard。
There，wewerestoppedafewminutesbyasignalfromthesergeant'shand，whiletwoorthreeofhismendispersedthemselvesamongthegraves，andalsoexaminedtheporch。Theycameinagainwithoutfindinganything，andthenwestruckoutontheopenmarshes，throughthegateatthesideofthechurchyard。Abittersleetcamerattlingagainstushereontheeastwind，andJoetookmeonhisback。
NowthatweareoutuponthedismalwildernesswheretheylittlethoughtIhadbeenwithineightorninehoursandhadseenbothmenhiding，Iconsideredforthefirsttime，withgreatdread，ifweshouldcomeuponthem，wouldmyparticularconvictsupposethatitwasIwhohadbroughtthesoldiersthere？HehadaskedmeifIwasadeceivingimp，andhehadsaidIshouldbeafierceyounghoundifIjoinedthehuntagainsthim。WouldhebelievethatIwasbothimpandhoundintreacherousearnest，andhadbetrayedhim？
Itwasofnouseaskingmyselfthisquestionnow。ThereIwas，onJoe'sback，andtherewasJoebeneathme，chargingattheditcheslikeahunter，andstimulatingMrWopslenottotumbleonhisRomannose，andtokeepupwithus。Thesoldierswereinfrontofus，extendingintoaprettywidelinewithanintervalbetweenmanandman。WeweretakingthecourseI
hadbegunwith，andfromwhichIhaddivergedinthemist。Eitherthemistwasnotoutagainyet，orthewindhaddispelledit。Underthelowredglareofsunset，thebeacon，andthegibbet，andthemoundoftheBattery，andtheoppositeshoreoftheriver，wereplain，thoughallofawateryleadcolour。
WithmyheartthumpinglikeablacksmithatJoe'sbroadshoulder，I
lookedallaboutforanysignoftheconvicts。Icouldseenone，Icouldhearnone。MrWopslehadgreatlyalarmedmemorethanonce，byhisblowingandhardbreathing；butIknewthesoundsbythistime，andcoulddissociatethemfromtheobjectofpursuit。Igotadreadfulstart，whenIthoughtIheardthefilestillgoing；butitwasonlyasheepbell。Thesheepstoppedintheireatingandlookedtimidlyatus；andthecattle，theirheadsturnedfromthewindandsleet，staredangrilyasiftheyheldusresponsibleforbothannoyances；but，exceptthesethings，andtheshudderofthedyingdayineverybladeofgrass，therewasnobreakinthebleakstillnessofthemarshes。
ThesoldiersweremovingoninthedirectionoftheoldBattery，andweweremovingonalittlewaybehindthem，when，allofasudden，weallstopped。For，therehadreachedusonthewingsofthewindandrain，alongshout。Itwasrepeated。Itwasatadistancetowardstheeast，butitwaslongandloud。Nay，thereseemedtobetwoormoreshoutsraisedtogether-ifonemightjudgefromaconfusioninthesound。
Tothiseffectthesergeantandthenearestmenwerespeakingundertheirbreath，whenJoeandIcameup。Afteranothermoment'slistening，Joe(whowasagoodjudge)agreed，andMrWopsle(whowasabadjudge)
agreed。Thesergeant，adecisiveman，orderedthatthesoundshouldnotbeanswered，butthatthecourseshouldbechanged，andthathismenshouldmaketowardsit`atthedouble。'Soweslantedtotheright(wheretheEastwas)，andJoepoundedawaysowonderfully，thatIhadtoholdontighttokeepmyseat。
Itwasarunindeednow，andwhatJoecalled，intheonlytwowordshespokeallthetime，`aWinder。'Downbanksandupbanks，andovergates，andsplashingintodykes，andbreakingamongcoarserushes:nomancaredwherehewent。Aswecamenearertotheshouting，itbecamemoreandmoreapparentthatitwasmadebymorethanonevoice。Sometimes，itseemedtostopaltogether，andthenthesoldiersstopped。Whenitbrokeoutagain，thesoldiersmadeforitatagreaterratethanever，andweafterthem。
Afterawhile，wehadsorunitdown，thatwecouldhearonevoicecalling`Murder！'andanothervoice，`Convicts！Runaways！Guard！Thiswayfortherunawayconvicts！'Thenbothvoiceswouldseemtobestifledinastruggle，andthenwouldbreakoutagain。Andwhenithadcometothis，thesoldiersranlikedeer，andJoetoo。
Thesergeantraninfirst，whenwehadrunthenoisequitedown，andtwoofhismenranincloseuponhim。Theirpieceswerecockedandlevelledwhenweallranin。
`Herearebothmen！'pantedthesergeant，strugglingatthebottomofaditch。`Surrender，youtwo！andconfoundyoufortwowildbeasts！Comeasunder！'
Waterwassplashing，andmudwasflying，andoathswerebeingsworn，andblowswerebeingstruck，whensomemoremenwentdownintotheditchtohelpthesergeant，anddraggedout，separately，myconvictandtheotherone。Bothwerebleedingandpantingandexecratingandstruggling；butofcourseIknewthembothdirectly。
`Mind！'saidmyconvict，wipingbloodfromhisfacewithhisraggedsleeves，andshakingtornhairfromhisfingers:`Itookhim！Igivehimuptoyou！Mindthat！'
`It'snotmuchtobeparticularabout，'aidthesergeant；`it'lldoyousmallgood，myman，beinginthesameplightyourself。Handcuffsthere！'
`Idon'texpectittodomeanygood。Idon'twantittodomemoregoodthanitdoesnow，'saidmyconvict，withagreedylaugh。`Itookhim。
Heknowsit。That'senoughforme。'
Theotherconvictwaslividtolookat，and，inadditiontotheoldbruisedleftsideofhisface，seemedtobebruisedandtornallover。
Hecouldnotsomuchasgethisbreathtospeak，untiltheywerebothseparatelyhandcuffed，butleaneduponasoldiertokeephimselffromfalling。
`Takenotice，guard-hetriedtomurderme，'werehisfirstwords。
`Triedtomurderhim？'saidmyconvict，disdainfully。`Try，andnotdoit？Itookhim，andgiv'himup；that'swhatIdone。Inotonlypreventedhimgettingoffthemarshes，butIdraggedhimhere-draggedhimthisfaronhiswayback。He'sagentleman，ifyouplease，thisvillain。Now，theHulkshasgotitsgentlemanagain，throughme。Murderhim？Worthmywhile，too，tomurderhim，whenIcoulddoworseanddraghimback！'
Theotheronestillgasped，`Hetried-hetried-to-murderme。Bear-bearwitness。'
`Lookeehere！'saidmyconvicttothesergeant。`Single-handedIgotclearoftheprison-ship；ImadeadashandIdoneit。Icouldha'gotclearofthesedeath-coldflatslikewise-lookatmyleg:youwon'tfindmuchirononit-ifIhadn'tmadediscoverythathewashere。Lethimgofree？LethimprofitbythemeansasIfoundout？
Lethimmakeatoolofmeafreshandagain？Oncemore？No，no，no。
IfIhaddiedatthebottomthere；'andhemadeanemphaticswingattheditchwithhismanacledhands；`I'dhaveheldtohimwiththatgrip，thatyoushouldhavebeensafetofindhiminmyhold。'
Theotherfugitive，whowasevidentlyinextremehorrorofhiscompanion，repeated，`Hetriedtomurderme。Ishouldhavebeenadeadmanifyouhadnotcomeup。'
`Helies！'saidmyconvict，withfierceenergy。`He'saliarborn，andhe'lldiealiar。Lookathisface；ain'titwrittenthere？Lethimturnthoseeyesofhisonme。Idefyhimtodoit。'
Theother，withaneffortatascornfulsmile-whichcouldnot，however，collectthenervousworkingofhismouthintoanysetexpression-lookedatthesoldiers，andlookedaboutatthemarshesandatthesky，butcertainlydidnotlookatthespeaker。
`Doyouseehim？'pursuedmyconvict。`Doyouseewhatavillainheis？Doyouseethosegrovellingandwanderingeyes？That'showhelookedwhenweweretriedtogether。Heneverlookedatme。'
Theother，alwaysworkingandworkinghisdrylipsandturninghiseyesrestlesslyabouthimfarandnear，didatlastturnthemforamomentonthespeaker，withthewords，`Youarenotmuchtolookat，'andwithahalf-tauntingglanceattheboundhands。Atthatpoint，myconvictbecamesofranticallyexasperated，thathewouldhaverusheduponhimbutfortheinterpositionofthesoldiers。`Didn'tItellyou，'saidtheotherconvictthen，`thathewouldmurderme，ifhecould？'Andanyonecouldseethatheshookwithfear，andthattherebrokeoutuponhislips，curiouswhiteflakes，likethinsnow。
`Enoughofthisparley，'saidthesergeant。`Lightthosetorches。'
Asoneofthesoldiers，whocarriedabasketinlieuofagun，wentdownonhiskneetoopenit，myconvictlookedroundhimforthefirsttime，andsawme。IhadalightedfromJoe'sbackonthebrinkoftheditchwhenwecameup，andhadnotmovedsince。Ilookedathimeagerlywhenhelookedatme，andslightlymovedmyhandsandshookmyhead。Ihadbeenwaitingforhimtoseeme，thatImighttrytoassurehimofmyinnocence。
Itwasnotatallexpressedtomethatheevencomprehendedmyintention，forhegavemealookthatIdidnotunderstand，anditallpassedinamoment。Butifhehadlookedatmeforanhourorforaday，Icouldnothaverememberedhisfaceeverafterwards，ashavingbeenmoreattentive。
Thesoldierwiththebasketsoongotalight，andlightedthreeorfourtorches，andtookonehimselfanddistributedtheothers。Ithadbeenalmostdarkbefore，butnowitseemedquitedark，andsoonafterwardsverydark。
Beforewedepartedfromthatspot，foursoldiersstandinginaring，firedtwiceintotheair。Presentlywesawothertorcheskindledatsomedistancebehindus，andothersonthemarshesontheoppositebankoftheriver。
`Allright，'saidthesergeant。`March。'
Wehadnotgonefarwhenthreecannonwerefiredaheadofuswithasoundthatseemedtoburstsomethinginsidemyear。`Youareexpectedonboard，'saidthesergeanttomyconvict；`theyknowyouarecoming。Don'tstraggle，myman。Closeuphere。'
Thetwowerekeptapart，andeachwalkedsurroundedbyaseparateguard。
IhadholdofJoe'shandnow，andJoecarriedoneofthetorches。MrWopslehadbeenforgoingback，butJoewasresolvedtoseeitout，sowewentonwiththeparty。Therewasareasonablygoodpathnow，mostlyontheedgeoftheriver，withadivergencehereandtherewhereadykecame，withaminiaturewindmillonitandamuddysluice-gate。WhenIlookedround，Icouldseetheotherlightscominginafterus。Thetorcheswecarried，droppedgreatblotchesoftheuponthetrack，andIcouldseethose，too，lyingsmokingandflaring。Icouldseenothingelsebutblackdarkness。Ourlightswarmedtheairaboutuswiththeirpitchyblaze，andthetwoprisonersseemedrathertolikethat，astheylimpedalonginthemidstofthemuskets。Wecouldnotgofast，becauseoftheirlameness；
andtheyweresospent，thattwoorthreetimeswehadtohaltwhiletheyrested。
Afteranhourorsoofthistravelling，wecametoaroughwoodenhutandalanding-place。Therewasaguardinthehut，andtheychallenged，andthesergeantanswered。Then，wewentintothehutwheretherewasasmelloftobaccoandwhitewash，andabrightfire，andalamp，andastandofmuskets，andadrum，andalowwoodenbedstead，likeanovergrownmanglewithoutthemachinery，capableofholdingaboutadozensoldiersallatonce。Threeorfoursoldierswholayuponitintheirgreat-coats，werenotmuchinterestedinus，butjustliftedtheirheadsandtookasleepystare，andthenlaydownagain。Thesergeantmadesomekindofreport，andsomeentryinabook，andthentheconvictwhomIcalltheotherconvictwasdraftedoffwithhisguard，togoonboardfirst。
Myconvictneverlookedatme，exceptthatonce。Whilewestoodinthehut，hestoodbeforethefirelookingthoughtfullyatit，orputtinguphisfeetbyturnsuponthehob，andlookingthoughtfullyatthemasifhepitiedthemfortheirrecentadventures。Suddenly，heturnedtothesergeant，andremarked:
`Iwishtosaysomethingrespectingthisescape。Itmaypreventsomepersonslayingundersuspicionalongerme。'
`Youcansaywhatyoulike，'returnedthesergeant，standingcoollylookingathimwithhisarmsfolded，`butyouhavenocalltosayithere。
You'llhaveopportunityenoughtosayaboutit，andhearaboutit，beforeit'sdonewith，youknow。'
`Iknow，butthisisanotherpint，aseparatematter。Amancan'tstarve；
atleastIcan't。Itooksomewittles，upatthewillageoveryonder-wherethechurchstandsa'mostoutonthemarshes。'
`Youmeanstole，'saidthesergeant。
`AndI'lltellyouwherefrom。Fromtheblacksmith's。'
`Halloa！'saidthesergeant，staringatJoe。
`Halloa，Pip！'saidJoe，staringatme。
`Itwassomebrokenwittles-that'swhatitwas-andadramofliquor，andapie。'
`Haveyouhappenedtomisssuchanarticlesasapie，blacksmith？'askedthesergeant，confidentially。
`Mywifedid，attheverymomentwhenyoucamein。Don'tyouknow，Pip？'
`So，'saidmyconvict，turninghiseyesonJoeinamoodymanner，andwithouttheleastglanceatme；`soyou'retheblacksmith，areyou？ThanI'msorrytosay，I'veeatyourpie。'
`Godknowsyou'rewelcometoit-sofarasitwasevermine，'returnedJoe，withasavingremembranceofMrsJoe。`Wedon'tknowwhatyouhavedone，butwewouldn'thaveyoustarvedtodeathforit，poormiserablefellow-creatur-Wouldus，Pip？'
ThesomethingthatIhadnoticedbefore，clickedintheman'sthroatagain，andheturnedhisback。Theboathadreturned，andhisguardwereready，sowefollowedhimtothelanding-placemadeofroughstakesandstones，andsawhimputintotheboat，whichwasrowedbyacrewofconvictslikehimself。Nooneseemedsurprisedtoseehim，orinterestedinseeinghim，orgladtoseehim，orsorrytoseehim，orspokeaword，exceptthatsomebodyintheboatgrowledasiftodogs，`Giveway，you！'whichwasthesignalforthedipoftheoars。Bythelightoftorches，wewastheblackHulklyingoutalittlewayfromthemudoftheshore，likeawickedNoah'sark。Cribbedandbarredandmooredbymassiverustychains，theprison-shipseemedinmyyoungeyestobeironedliketheprisoners。Wesawtheboatgoalongside，andwesawhimtakenupthesideanddisappear。
Then，theendsofthetorcheswereflunghissingintothewater，andwentout，asifitwerealloverwithhim。
Chapter6
MYstateofmindregardingthepilferingfromwhichIhadbeensounexpectedlyexonerated，didnotimpelmetofrankdisclosure；butIhopeithadsomedregsofgoodatthebottomofit。
IdonotrecallthatIfeltanytendernessofconscienceinreferencetoMrsJoe，whenthefearofbeingfoundoutwasliftedoffme。ButIlovedJoe-perhapsfornobetterreasoninthoseearlydaysthanbecausethedearfellowletmelovehim-and，astohim，myinnerselfwasnotsoeasilycomposed。Itwasmuchuponmymind(particularlywhenIfirstsawhimlookingaboutforhisfile)thatIoughttotellJoethewholetruth。
YetIdidnot，andforthereasonthatImistrustedthatifIdid，hewouldthinkmeworsethanIwas。ThefearoflosingJoe'sconfidence，andofthenceforthsittinginthechimney-corneratnightstaringdrearilyatmyforeverlostcompanionandfriend，tiedupmytongue。ImorbidlyrepresentedtomyselfthatifJoeknewit，Ineverafterwardscouldseehimatthefiresidefeelinghisfairwhisker，withoutthinkingthathewasmeditatingonit。That，ifJoeknewit，Ineverafterwardscouldseehimglance，howevercasually，atyesterday'smeatorpuddingwhenitcameonto-day'stable，withoutthinkingthathewasdebatingwhetherIhadbeeninthepantry。
That，ifJoeknewit，andatanysubsequentperiodofourjointdomesticliferemarkedthathisbeerwasflatorthick，theconvictionthathesuspectedTarinit，wouldbringarushofbloodtomyface。Inaword，IwastoocowardlytodowhatIknewtoberight，asIhadbeentoocowardlytoavoiddoingwhatIknewtobewrong。Ihadhadnointercoursewiththeworldatthattime，andIimitatednoneofitsmanyinhabitantswhoactinthismanner。Quiteanuntaughtgenius，Imadethediscoveryofthelineofactionformyself。
AsIwassleepybeforewewerefarawayfromtheprison-ship，Joetookmeonhisbackagainandcarriedmehome。Hemusthavehadatiresomejourneyofit，forMrWopsle，beingknockedup，wasinsuchaverybadtemperthatiftheChurchhadbeenthrownopen，hewouldprobablyhaveexcommunicatedthewholeexpedition，beginningwithJoeandmyself。Inhislaycapacity，hepersistedinsittingdowninthedamptosuchaninsaneextent，thatwhenhiscoatwastakenofftobedriedatthekitchenfire，thecircumstantialevidenceonhistrouserswouldhavehangedhimifithadbeenacapitaloffence。
Bythattime，Iwasstaggeringonthekitchenfloorlikealittledrunkard，throughhavingbeennewlysetuponmyfeet，andthroughhavingbeenfastasleep，andthroughwakingintheheatandlightsandnoiseoftongues。
AsIcametomyself(withtheaidofaheavythumpbetweentheshoulders，andtherestorativeexclamation`Yah！Wasthereeversuchaboyasthis！'
frommysister)，IfoundJoetellingthenabouttheconvict'sconfession，andallthevisitorssuggestingdifferentwaysbywhichhehadgotintothepantry。MrPumblechookmadeout，aftercarefullysurveyingthepremises，thathehadfirstgotupontheroofoftheforge，andhadthengotupontheroofofthehouse，andhadthenlethimselfdownthekitchenchimneybyaropemadeofhisbeddingcutintostrips；andasMrPumblechookwasverypositiveanddrovehisownchaise-cart-overeverybody-itwasagreedthatitmustbeso。MrWopsle，indeed，wildlycriedout`No！'withthefeeblemaliceofatriedman；but，ashehadnotheory，andnocoaton，hewasunanimouslysetatnought-nottomentionhissmokinghardbehind，ashestoodwithhisbacktothekitchenfiretodrawthedampout:whichwasnotcalculatedtoinspireconfidence。
ThiswasallIheardthatnightbeforemysisterclutchedme，asaslumberousoffencetothecompany'seyesight，andassistedmeuptobedwithsuchastronghandthatIseemedtohavefiftybootson，andtobedanglingthemallagainsttheedgesofthestairs。Mystateofmind，asIhavedescribedit，beganbeforeIwasupinthemorning，andlastedlongafterthesubjecthaddiedout，andhadceasedtobementionedsavingonexceptionaloccasions。
Chapter7
ATthetimewhenIstoodinthechurchyard，readingthefamilytombstones，Ihadjustenoughlearningtobeabletospellthemout。Myconstructionevenoftheirsimplemeaningwasnotverycorrect，forIread`wifeoftheAbove'asacomplimentaryreferencetomyfather'sexaltationtoabetterworld；andifanyoneofmydeceasedrelationshadbeenreferredtoas`Below，'IhavenodoubtIshouldhaveformedtheworstopinionsofthatmemberofthefamily。Neither，weremynotionsofthetheologicalpositionstowhichmyCatechismboundme，atallaccurate；for，IhavealivelyremembrancethatIsupposedmydeclarationthatIwasto`walkinthesameallthedaysofmylife，'laidmeunderanobligationalwaystogothroughthevillagefromourhouseinoneparticulardirection，andnevertovaryitbyturningdownbythewheelwright'sorupbythemill。
WhenIwasoldenough，IwastobeapprenticedtoJoe，anduntilIcouldassumethatdignityIwasnottobewhatMrsJoecalled`Pompeyed，'or(asIrenderit)pampered。Therefore，Iwasnotonlyodd-boyabouttheforge，butifanyneighbourhappenedtowantanextraboytofrightenbirds，orpickupstones，ordoanysuchjob，Iwasfavouredwiththeemployment。
Inorder，however，thatoursuperiorpositionmightnotbecompromisedthereby，amoney-boxwaskeptonthekitchenmantel-shelf，intowhichitwaspubliclymadeknownthatallmyearningsweredropped。IhaveanimpressionthattheyweretobecontributedeventuallytowardstheliquidationoftheNationalDebt，butIknowIhadnohopeofanypersonalparticipationinthetreasure。
MrWopsle'sgreat-auntkeptaneveningschoolinthevillage；thatistosay，shewasaridiculousoldwomanoflimitedmeansandunlimitedinfirmity，whousedtogotosleepfromsixtoseveneveryevening，inthesocietyofyouthwhopaidtwopenceperweekeach，fortheimprovingopportunityofseeingherdoit。Sherentedasmallcottage，andMrWopslehadtheroomup-stairs，wherewestudentsusedtooverhearhimreadingaloudinamostdignifiedandterrificmanner，andoccasionallybumpingontheceiling。
TherewasafictionthatMrWopsle`examined'thescholars，onceaquarter。
Whathedidonthoseoccasionswastoturnuphiscuffs，stickuphishair，andgiveusMarkAntony'sorationoverthebodyofCaesar。ThiswasalwaysfollowedbyCollins'sOdeonthePassions，whereinIparticularlyveneratedMrWopsleasRevenge，throwinghisblood-stainedswordinthunderdown，andtakingtheWar-denouncingtrumpetwithawitheringlook。Itwasnotwithmethen，asitwasinlaterlife，whenIfellintothesocietyofthePassions，andcomparedthemwithCollinsandWopsle，rathertothedisadvantageofbothgentlemen。
Mr。Wopsle'sgreat-aunt，besideskeepingthisEducationalInstitution，kept-inthesameroom-alittlegeneralshop。Shehadnoideawhatstockshehad，orwhatthepriceofanythinginitwas；buttherewasalittlegreasymemorandum-bookkeptinadrawer，whichservedasaCatalogueofPrices，andbythisoracleBiddyarrangedalltheshoptransaction。BiddywasMrWopsle'sgreat-aunt'sgranddaughter；Iconfessmyselfquietunequaltotheworkingoutoftheproblem，whatrelationshewastoMrWopsle。
Shewasanorphanlikemyself；likeme，too，hadbeenbroughtupbyhand。
Shewasmostnoticeable，Ithought，inrespectofherextremities；for，herhairalwayswantedbrushing，herhandsalwayswantedwashing，andhershoesalwayswantedmendingandpullingupatheel。Thisdescriptionmustbereceivedwithaweek-daylimitation。OnSundays，shewenttochurchelaborated。
Muchofmyunassistedself，andmorebythehelpofBiddythanofMrWopsle'sgreat-aunt，Istruggledthroughthealphabetasifithadbeenabramble-bush；gettingconsiderablyworriedandscratchedbyeveryletter。
Afterthat，Ifellamongthosethieves，theninefigures，whoseemedeveryeveningtodosomethingnewtodisguisethemselvesandbafflerecognition。
But，atlastIbegan，inapurblindgropingway，toread，write，andcipher，ontheverysmallestscale。
Onenight，Iwassittinginthechimney-cornerwithmyslate，expendinggreateffortsontheproductionofalettertoJoe。Ithinkitmusthavebeenafullyyearafterourhuntuponthemarshes，foritwasalongtimeafter，anditwaswinterandahardfrost。Withanalphabetonthehearthatmyfeetforreference，Icontrivedinanhourortwotoprintandsmearthisepistle:`MIDEERJOiOPEURKRWITEWELLiOPEiSHALSONBHABELL
42TEEDGEUJOANTHENWESHORLBSOGLODDANWENiMPRENGTD2UJOWOT
LARXANBLEVEMEINFXNPIP。'TherewasnoindispensablenecessityformycommunicatingwithJoebyletter，inasmuchashesatbesidemeandwewerealone。But，Ideliveredthiswrittencommunication(slateandall)withmyownhand，andJoereceiveditasamiracleoferudition。
`Isay，Pip，oldchap！'criedJoe，openinghisblueeyeswide，`whatascholaryouare！An'tyou？'
`Ishouldliketobe，'saidI，glancingattheslateasheheldit:
withamisgivingthatthewritingwasratherhilly。
`Why，here'saJ，'saidJoe，`andaOequaltoanythink！Here'saJ
andaO，Pip，andaJ-O，Joe。'
IhadneverheardJoereadaloudtoanygreaterextentthanthismonosyllable，andIhadobservedatchurchlastSundaywhenIaccidentallyheldourPrayer-Bookupsidedown，thatitseemedtosuithisconveniencequiteaswellasifithadbeenright。WishingtoembracethepresentoccasionoffindingoutwhetherinteachingJoe，Ishouldhavetobeginquiteatthebeginning，Isaid，`Ah！Butreadtherest，Jo。'
`Therest，eh，Pip？'saidJoe，lookingatitwithaslowlysearchingeye，`One，two，three。Why，here'sthreeJs，andthreeOs，andthreeJ-O，Joesinit，Pip！'
IleanedoverJoe，and，withtheaidofmyforefinger，readhimthewholeletter。
`Astonishing！'saidJoe，whenIhadfinished。`YouAREascholar。'
`HowdoyouspellGargery，Joe？'Iaskedhim，withamodestpatronage。
`Idon'tspellitatall，'saidJoe。
`Butsupposingyoudid？'
`Itcan'tbesupposed，'saidJoe。`Tho'I'moncommonfondofreading，too。'
`Areyou，Joe？'
`On-common。Giveme，'saidJoe，`agoodbook，oragoodnewspaper，andsitmedownaforeagoodfire，andIasknobetter。Lord！'hecontinued，afterrubbinghiskneesalittle，`whenyoudocometoaJandaO，andsaysyou，"Here，atlast，isaJ-O，Joe，"howinterestingreadingis！'
Iderivedfromthislast，thatJoe'seducation，likeSteam，wasyetinitsinfancy，Pursuingthesubject，Iinquired:
`Didn'tyouevergotoschool，Joe，whenyouwereaslittleasme？'
`No，Pip。'
`Whydidn'tyouevergotoschool，Joe，whenyouwereaslittleasme？'
`Well，Pip，'saidJoe，takingupthepoker，andsettlinghimselftohisusualoccupationwhenhewasthoughtful，ofslowlyrakingthefirebetweenthelowerbars:`I'lltellyou。Myfather，Pip，heweregiventodrink，andwhenhewereovertookwithdrink，hehammeredawayatmymother，mostonmerciful。Itwerea'mosttheonlyhammeringhedid，indeed，'xceptingatmyself。Andhehammeredatmewithawigouronlytobeequalledbythewigourwithwhichhedidn'thammerathisanwil-You'relisteningandunderstanding，Pip？'
`Yes，Joe。'
`'Consequence，mymotherandmeweranawayfrommyfather，severaltimes；andthenmymothershe'dgoouttowork，andshe'dsay，"Joe，"she'dsay，"now，pleaseGod，youshallhavesomeschooling，child，"andshe'dputmetoschool。Butmyfatherwerethatgoodinhishartthathecouldn'tabeartobewithoutus。So，he'dcomewithamosttremenjouscrowdandmakesucharowatthedoorsofthehouseswherewewas，thattheyusedtobeobligatedtohavenomoretodowithusandtogiveusuptohim。
Andthenhetookushomeandhammeredus。Which，yousee，Pip，'saidJoe，pausinginhismeditativerakingofthefire，andlookingatme，`wereadrawbackonmylearning。'
`Certainly，poorJoe！'
`Thoughmindyou，Pip，'saidJoe，withajudicialtouchortwoofthepokeronthetopbar，`renderinguntoalltheirdoo，andmaintainingequaljusticebetwixtmanandman，myfatherwerethatgoodinhishart，don'tyousee？'
Ididn'tsee；butIdidn'tsayso。
`Well！'Joepursued，`somebodymustkeepthepotabiling，Pip，orthepotwon'tbile，don'tyouknow？'
Isawthat，andsaidso。
`'Consequence，myfatherdidn'tmakeobjectionstomygoingtowork；
soIwenttoworktoworkatmypresentcalling，whichwerehistoo，ifhewouldhavefollowedit，andIworkedtolerablehard，Iassureyou，Pip。IntimeIwereabletokeephim，andIkepthimtillhewentoffinapurplelepticfit。AnditweremyintentionstohavehadputuponhistombstonethatWhatsume'erthefailingsonhispart，Rememberreaderhewerethatgoodinhishart。'
Joerecitedthiscoupletwithsuchmanifestprideandcarefulperspicuity，thatIaskedhimifhehadmadeithimself。
`Imadeit，'saidJoe，`myownself。Imadeitinamoment。Itwaslikestrikingoutahorseshoecomplete，inasingleblow。Ineverwassomuchsurprisedinallmylife-couldn'tcreditmyowned-totellyouthetruth，hardlybelieveditweremyowned。AsIwassaying，Pip，itweremyintentionstohavehaditcutoverhim；butpoetrycostsmoney，cutithowyouwill，smallorlarge，anditwerenotdone。Nottomentionbearers，allthemoneythatcouldbesparedwerewantedformymother。
Shewereinpoorelth，andquitebroke。Sheweren'tlongoffollowing，poorsoul，andhershareofpeacecomeroundatlast。'
Joe'sblueeyesturnedalittlewatery；herubbed，firstoneofthem，andthentheother，inamostuncongenialanduncomfortablemanner，withtheroundknobonthetopofthepoker。
`Itwerebutlonesomethen，'saidJoe，`livingherealone，andIgotacquaintedwithyoursister。Now，Pip；'Joelookedfirmlyatme，asifheknewIwasnotgoingtoagreewithhim；`yoursisterisafinefigureofawoman。'
Icouldnothelplookingatthefire，inanobviousstateofdoubt。
`Whateverfamilyopinions，orwhatevertheworld'sopinions，onthatsubjectmaybe，Pip，yoursisteris，'Joetappedthetopbarwiththepokeraftereverywordfollowing，`a-fine-figure-of-a-woman！'
Icouldthinkofnothingbettertosaythan`Iamgladyouthinkso，Joe。'
`SoamI，'returnedJoe，catchingmeup。`IamgladIthinkso，Pip。AlittlerednessoralittlematterofBone，hereorthere，whatdoesitsignifytoMe？'
Isagaciouslyobserved，ifitdidn'tsignifytohim，towhomdiditsignify？
`Certainly！'assentedJoe。`That'sit。You'reright，oldchap！WhenI
gotacquaintedwithyoursister，itwerethetalkhowshewasbringingyouupbyhand。Verykindofhertoo，allthefolkssaid，andIsaid，alongwithallthefolks。Astoyou，'Joepursuedwithacountenanceexpressiveofseeingsomethingverynastyindeed:`ifyoucouldhavebeenawarehowsmallandflabbyandmeanyouwas，dearme，you'dhaveformedthemostcontemptibleopinionsofyourself！'
Notexactlyrelishingthis，Isaid，`Nevermindme，Joe。'
`ButIdidmindyou，Pip，'hereturnedwithtendersimplicity。`WhenIofferedtoyoursistertokeepcompany，andtobeaskedinchurchatsuchtimesasshewaswillingandreadytocometotheforge，Isaidtoher，"Andbringthepoorlittlechild。Godblessthepoorlittlechild，"
Isaidtoyoursister，"there'sroomforhimattheforge！"'
Ibrokeoutcryingandbeggingpardon，andhuggedJoeroundtheneck:
whodroppedthepokertohugme，andtosay，`Everthebestoffriends；
an'tus，Pip？Don'tcry，oldchap！'
Whenthislittleinterruptionwasover，Joeresumed:
`Well，yousee，Pip，andhereweare！That'saboutwhereitlights；
hereweare！Now，whenyoutakemeinhandinmylearning，Pip(andItellyoubeforehandIamawfuldull，mostawfuldull)，MrsJoemustn'tseetoomuchofwhatwe'reupto。Itmustbedone，asImaysay，onthesly。Andwhyonthesly？I'lltellyouwhy，Pip。'
Hehadtakenupthepokeragain；withoutwhich，Idoubtifhecouldhaveproceededinhisdemonstration。
`Yoursisterisgiventogovernment。'
`Giventogovernment，Joe？'Iwasstartled，forIhadsomeshadowyidea(andIamafraidImustadd，hope)thatJoehaddivorcedherinafavouroftheLordsoftheAdmiralty，orTreasury。
`Giventogovernment，'saidJoe。`WhichImeantersaythegovernmentofyouandmyself。'
`Oh！'
`Andshean'toverpartialtohavingscholarsonthepremises，'Joecontinued，`andinparticklerwouldnotbeoverpartialtomybeingascholar，forfearasImightrise。Likeasortorrebel，don'tyousee？'
Iwasgoingtoretortwithaninquiry，andhadgotasfaras`Why——'
whenJoestoppedme。
`Stayabit。Iknowwhatyou'rea-goingtosay，Pip；stayabit！Idon'tdenythatyoursistercomestheMo-guloverus，nowandagain。Idon'tdenythatshedothrowusback-falls，andthatshedodropdownuponusheavy。AtsuchtimesaswhenyoursisterisontheRam-page，Pip，'Joesankhisvoicetoawhisperandglancedatthedoor，`candourcompelsfurtoadmitthatsheisaBuster。'
Joepronouncedthisword，asifitbeganwithatleasttwelvecapitalBs。
`Whydon'tIrise？ThatwereyourobservationwhenIbrokeitoff，Pip？'
`Yes，Joe。'
`Well，'saidJoe，passingthepokerintohislefthand，thathemightfeelhiswhisker；andIhadnohopeofhimwheneverhetooktothatplacidoccupation；`yoursister'samaster-mind。Amaster-mind。'
`What'sthat？'Iasked，insomehopeofbringinghimtoastand。But，JoewasreadierwithhisdefinitionthanIhadexcepted，andcompletelystoppedmebyarguingcircularly，andansweringwithafixedlook，`Her。'
`AndIan'tamaster-mind，'Joeresumed，whenhehadunfixedhislook，andgotbacktohiswhisker。`Andlastofall，Pip-andthisIwanttosayveryseroustoyou，oldchap-Iseesomuchinmypoormother，ofawomandrudgingandslavingandbreakingherhonesthartandnevergettingnopeaceinhermortaldays，thatI'mdeadafeerdofgoingwronginthewayofnotdoingwhat'srightbyawoman，andI'dfurratherofthetwogowrongthet'otherway，andbealittleill-conweniencedmyself。Iwishitwasonlymethatgotputout，Pip；Iwishtherewarn'tnoTicklerforyou，oldchap；IwishIcouldtakeitallonmyself；butthisistheup-and-down-and-straightonit，Pip，andIhopeyou'lloverlookshortcomings。'
YoungasIwas，IbelievethatIdatedanewadmirationofJoefromthatnight。Wewereequalsafterwards，aswehadbeenbefore；but，afterwardsatquiettimeswhenIsatlookingatJoeandthinkingabouthim，IhadanewsensationoffeelingconsciousthatIwaslookinguptoJoeinmyheart。
`However，'saidJoe，risingtoreplenishthefire；`here'stheDutch-clockaworkinghimselfuptobeingequaltostrikeEightof'em，andshe'snotcomehomeyet！IhopeUnclePumblechook'smaremayn'thavesetafore-footonapieceo'ice，andgonedown。'
MrsJoemadeoccasionaltripswithUnclePumblechookonmarket-days，toassisthiminbuyingsuchhouseholdstuffsandgoodsasrequiredawoman'sjudgment；UnclePumblechookbeingabachelorandreposingnoconfidencesinhisdomesticservant。Thiswasmarket-day，andMrsJoewasoutononeoftheseexpeditions。
Joemadethefireandsweptthehearth，andthenwewenttothedoortolistenforthechaise-cart。Itwasadrycoldnight，andthewindblewkeenly，andthefrostwaswhiteandhard。Amanwoulddieto-nightoflyingoutonthemarshes，Ithought。AndthenIlookedatthestars，andconsideredhowawfulifwouldbeforamantoturnhisfaceuptothemashefrozetodeath，andseenohelporpityinalltheglitteringmultitude。
`Herecomesthemare，'saidJoe，`ringinglikeapealofbells！'
Thesoundofherironshoesuponthehardroadwasquitemusical，asshecamealongatamuchbriskertrotthanusual。Wegotachairout，readyforMrsJoe'salighting，andstirredupthefirethattheymightseeabrightwindow，andtookafinalsurveyofthekitchenthatnothingmightbeoutofitsplace。Whenwehadcompletedthesepreparations，theydroveup，wrappedtotheeyes。MrsJoewassoonlanded，andUnclePumblechookwassoondowntoo，coveringthemarewithacloth，andweweresoonallinthekitchen，carryingsomuchcoldairinwithusthatitseemedtodrivealltheheatoutofthefire。
`Now，'saidMrsJoe，unwrappingherselfwithhasteandexcitement，andthrowingherbonnetbackonhershoulderswhereithungbythestrings:
`ifthisboyan'tgratefulthisnight，heneverwillbe！'
Ilookedasgratefulasanyboypossiblycould，whowaswhollyuninformedwhyheoughttoassumethatexpression。
`It'sonlytobehoped，'saidmysister，`thathewon'tbePomp-eyed。
ButIhavemyfears。'
`Shean'tinthatline，Mum，'saidMrPumblechook。`Sheknowsbetter。'
She？IlookedatJoe，makingthemotionwithmylipsandeyebrows，`She？'
Joelookedatme，makingthemotionwithhislipsandeyebrows，`She？'Mysistercatchinghimintheact，hedrewthebackofhishandacrosshisnosewithhisusualconciliatoryaironsuchoccasions，andlookedather。
`Well？'saidmysister，inhersnappishway。`Whatareyoustaringat？
Isthehousea-fire？'
`-Whichsomeindividual，'Joepolitelyhinted，`mentioned-she。'
`Andsheisashe，Isuppose？'saidmysister。`UnlessyoucallMissHavishamahe。AndIdoubtifevenyou'llgosofarasthat。'
`MissHavisham，uptown？'saidJoe。
`IsthereanyMissHavishamdowntown？'returnedmysister。
`Shewantsthisboytogoandplaythere。Andofcoursehe'sgoing。
Andhehadbetterplaythere，'saidmysister，shakingherheadatmeasanencouragementtobeextremelylightandsportive，`orI'llworkhim。'
IhadheardofMissHavishamuptown-everybodyformilesround，hadheardofMissHavishamuptown-asanimmenselyrichandgrimladywholivedinalargeanddismalhousebarricadedagainstrobbers，andwholedalifeofseclusion。
`Welltobesure！'saidJoe，astounded。`IwonderhowshecometoknowPip！'
`Noodle！'criedmysister。`Whosaidsheknewhim？'
`-Whichsomeindividual，'Joeagainpolitelyhinted，`mentionedthatshewantedhimtogoandplaythere。'
`Andcouldn'tsheaskUnclePumblechookifheknewofaboytogoandplaythere？Isn'titjustbarelypossiblethatUnclePumblechookmaybeatenantofhers，andthathemaysometimes-wewon'tsayquarterlyorhalf-yearly，forthatwouldberequiringtoomuchofyou-butsometimes-gotheretopayhisrent？Andcouldn'tshethenaskUnclePumblechookifheknewofaboytogoandplaythere？Andcouldn'tUnclePumblechook，beingalwaysconsiderateandthoughtfulforus-thoughyoumaynotthinkit，Joseph，'inatoneofthedeepestreproach，asifhewerethemostcallousofnephews，`thenmentionthisboy，standingPrancinghere'-whichIsolemnlydeclareIwasnotdoing-`thatIhaveforeverbeenawillingslaveto？'
`Goodagain！'criedUnclePumblechook。`Wellput！Prettilypointed！
Goodindeed！NowJoseph，youknowthecase。'
`No，Joseph，'saidmysister，stillinareproachfulmanner，whileJoeapologeticallydrewthebackofhishandacrossandacrosshisnose，`youdonotyet-thoughyoumaynotthinkit-knowthecase。Youmayconsiderthatyoudo，butyoudonot，Joseph。ForyoudonotknowthatUnclePumblechook，beingsensiblethatforanythingwecantell，thisboy'sfortunemaybemadebyhisgoingtoMissHavisham's，hasofferedtotakehimintotownto-nightinhisownchaise-cart，andtokeephimto-night，andtotakehimwithhisownhandstoMissHavisham'sto-morrowmorning。AndLor-a-mussyme！'criedmysister，castingoffherbonnetinsuddendesperation，`hereIstandtalkingtomereMooncalfs，withUnclePumblechookwaiting，andthemarecatchingcoldatthedoor，andtheboygrimedwithcrockanddirtfromthehairofhisheadtothesoleofhisfoot！'
Withthat，shepounceduponme，likeaneagleonalamb，andmyfacewassqueezedintowoodenbowlsinsinks，andmyheadwasputundertapsofwater-butts，andIwassoaped，andkneaded，andtowelled，andthumped，andharrowed，andrasped，untilIreallywasquitebesidemyself。(ImayhereremarkthatIsupposemyselftobebetteracquaintedthananylivingauthority，withtheridgyeffectofawedding-ring，passingunsympatheticallyoverthehumancountenance。)
Whenmyablutionswerecompleted，Iwasputintocleanlinenofthestiffestcharacter，likeayoungpenitentintosackcloth，andwastrussedupinmytightestandfearfullestsuit。IwasthendeliveredovertoMrPumblechook，whoformallyreceivedmeasifheweretheSheriff，andwholetoffuponmethespeechthatIknewhehadbeendyingtomakeallalong:
`Boy，beforevergratefultoallfriends，butespeciallyuntothemwhichbroughtyouupbyhand！'
`Good-bye，Joe！'
`Godblessyou，Pip，oldchap！'
Ihadneverpartedfromhisbefore，andwhatwithmyfeelingsandwhatwithsoap-suds，Icouldatfirstseenostarsfromthechaise-cart。Buttheytwinkledoutonebyone，withoutthrowinganylightonthequestionswhyonearthIwasgoingtoplayatMissHavisham's，andwhatonearthIwasexpectedtoplayat。
Chapter8
MRPUMBLECHOOK'SpremisesintheHigh-streetofthemarkettown，wereofapeppercornyandfarinaceouscharacter，asthepremisesofacorn-chandlerandseedsmanshouldbe。Itappearedtomethathemustbeaveryhappymanindeed，tohavesomanylittledrawersinhisshop；andIwonderedwhenIpeepedintooneortwoonthelowertiers，andsawthetied-upbrownpaperpacketsinside，whethertheflower-seedsandbulbseverwantedofafinedaytobreakoutofthosejails，andbloom。
ItwasintheearlymorningaftermyarrivalthatIentertainedthisspeculation。Onthepreviousnight，Ihadbeensentstraighttobedinanatticwithaslopingroof，whichwassolowinthecornerwherethebedsteadwas，thatIcalculatedthetilesasbeingwithinafootofmyeyebrows。Inthesameearlymorning，Idiscoveredasingularaffinitybetweenseedsandcorduroys。MrPumblechookworecorduroys，andsodidhisshopman；
andsomehow，therewasageneralairandflavouraboutthecorduroys，somuchinthenatureofseeds，andageneralairandflavourabouttheseeds，somuchinthenatureofcorduroys，thatIhardlyknewwhichwaswhich。
ThesameopportunityservedmefornoticingthatMrPumblechookappearedtoconducthisbusinessbylookingacrossthestreetatthesaddler，whoappearedtotransacthisbusinessbykeepinghiseyeonthecoach-maker，whoappearedtogetoninlifebyputtinghishandsinhispocketsandcontemplatingthebaker，whoinhisturnfoldedhisarmsandstaredatthegrocer，whostoodathisdoorandyawnedatthechemist。Thewatch-maker，alwaysporingoveralittledeskwithamagnifyingglassathiseye，andalwaysinspectedbyagroupofsmock-frocksporingoverhimthroughtheglassofhisshop-window，seemedtobeabouttheonlypersonintheHigh-streetwhosetradeengagedhisattention。
MrPumblechookandIbreakfastedateighto'clockintheparlourbehindtheshop，whiletheshopmantookhismugofteaandhunchofbread-and-butteronasackofpeasinthefrontpremises。IconsideredMrPumblechookwretchedcompany。Besidesbeingpossessedbymysister'sideathatamortifyingandpenitentialcharacteroughttobeimpartedtomydiet-besidesgivingmeasmuchcrumbaspossibleincombinationwithaslittlebutter，andputtingsuchaquantityofwarmwaterintomymilkthatitwouldhavebeenmorecandidtohaveleftthemilkoutaltogether-hisconversationconsistedofnothingbutarithmetic。OnmypolitelybiddinghimGoodmorning，hesaid，pompously，`Seventimesnine，boy？'AndhowshouldIbeabletoanswer，dodgedinthatway，inastrangeplace，onanemptystomach！
Iwashungry，butbeforeIhadswallowedamorsel，hebeganarunningsumthatlastedallthroughthebreakfast。`Seven？'`Andfour？'`Andeight？'
`Andsix？'`Andtwo？'`Andten？'Andsoon。Andaftereachfigurewasdisposedof，itwasasmuchasIcoulddotogetabiteorasup，beforethenextcame；whilehesatathiseaseguessingnothing，andeatingbaconandhotroll，in(ifImaybeallowedtheexpression)agorgingandgormandisingmanner。
ForsuchreasonsIwasverygladwhenteno'clockcameandwestartedforMissHavisham's；thoughIwasnotatallatmyeaseregardingthemannerinwhichIshouldacquitmyselfunderthatlady'sroof。WithinaquarterofanhourwecametoMissHavisham'shouse，whichwasofoldbrick，anddismal，andhadagreatmanyironbarstoit。Someofthewindowshadbeenwalledup；ofthosethatremained，allthelowerwererustilybarred。Therewasacourt-yardinfront，andthatwasbarred；so，wehadtowait，afterringingthebell，untilsomeoneshouldcometoopenit。Whilewewaitedatthegate，Ipeepedin(eventhenMrPumblechooksaid，`Andfourteen？'
butIpretendednottohearhim)，andsawthatatthesideofhousetherewasalargebrewery。Nobrewingwasgoingoninit，andnoneseemedtohavegoneonforalonglongtime。
Awindowwasraised，andaclearvoicedemanded`Whatname？'Towhichmyconductorreplied，`Pumblechook。'Thevoicereturned，`Quiteright，'
andthewindowwasshutagain，andayoungladycameacrossthecourt-yard，withkeysinherhand。
`This，'saidMrPumblechook，`isPip。'
`ThisisPip，isit？'returnedtheyounglady，whowasveryprettyandseemedveryproud；`comein，Pip。'
MrPumblechookwascominginalso，whenshestoppedhimwiththegate。
`Oh！'shesaid。`DidyouwishtoseeMissHavisham？'
`IfMissHavishamwishedtoseeme，'returnedMrPumblechook，discomfited。
`Ah！'saidthegirl；`butyouseeshedon't。'
Shesaiditsofinally，andinsuchanundiscussibleway，thatMrPumblechook，thoughinaconditionofruffleddignity，couldnotprotest。Butheeyedmeseverely-asifIhaddoneanythingtohim！-anddepartedwiththewordsreproachfullydelivered:`Boy！Letyourbehaviourherebeacredituntothemwhichbroughtyouupbyhand！'Iwasnotfreefromapprehensionthathewouldcomebacktopropoundthroughthegate，`Andsixteen？'Buthedidn't。
Myyoungconductresslockedthegate，andwewentacrossthecourt-yard。
Itwaspavedandclean，butgrasswasgrowingineverycrevice。Thebrewerybuildingshadalittlelaneofcommunicationwithit，andthewoodengatesofthatlanestoodopen，andallthebrewerybeyond，stoodopen，awaytothehighenclosingwall；andallwasemptyanddisused。Thecoldwindseemedtoblowcolderthere，thanoutsidethegate；anditmadeashrillnoiseinhowlinginandoutattheopensidesofthebrewery，likethenoiseofwindintheriggingofashipatsea。
Shesawmelookingatit，andshesaid，`Youcoulddrinkwithouthurtallthestrongbeerthat'sbrewedtherenow，boy。'
`IshouldthinkIcould，miss'saidI，inashyway。
`Betternottrytobrewbeertherenow，oritwouldturnoutsour，boy；
don'tyouthinkso？'
`Itlookslikeit，miss。'
`Notthatanybodymeanstotry，'sheadded，`forthat'salldonewith，andtheplacewillstandasidleasitis，tillitfalls。Astostrongbeer，there'senoughofitinthecellarsalready，todrowntheManorHouse。'
`Isthatthenameofthishouse，miss？'
`Oneofitsnames，boy。'
`Ithasmorethanone，then，miss？'
`Onemore。ItsothernamewasSatis；whichisGreek，orLatin，orHebrew，orallthree-orallonetome-forenough。'
`EnoughHouse，'saidI；`that'sacuriousname，miss。'
`Yes，'shereplied；`butitmeantmorethanitsaid。Itmeant，whenitwasgiven，thatwhoeverhadthishouse，couldwantnothingelse。Theymusthavebeeneasilysatisfiedinthosedays，Ishouldthink。Butdon'tloiter，boy。'
Thoughshecalledme`boy'sooften，andwithacarelessnessthatwasfarfromcomplimentary，shewasofaboutmyownage。SheseemedmucholderthanI，ofcourse，beingagirl，andbeautifulandself-possessed；andshewasanscornfulofmeasifshehadbeenone-and-twenty，andaqueen。
Wewentintothehousebyasidedoor-thegreatfrontentrancehadtwochainsacrossitoutside-andthefirstthingInoticedwas，thatthepassageswerealldark，andthatshehadleftacandleburningthere。
Shetookitup，andwewentthroughmorepassagesandupastaircase，andstillitwasalldark，andonlythecandlelightedus。
Atlastwecametothedoorofaroom，andshesaid，`Goin。'
Ianswered，moreinshynessthanpoliteness，`Afteryou，miss。'
Tothis，shereturned:`Don'tberidiculous，boy；Iamnotgoingin。'
Andscornfullywalkedaway，and-whatwasworse-tookthecandlewithher。
Thiswasveryuncomfortable，andIwashalfafraid。However，theonlythingtobedonebeingtoknockatthedoor，Iknocked，andwastoldfromwithintoenter。Ientered，therefore，andfoundmyselfinaprettylargeroom，welllightedwithwaxcandles。Noglimpseofdaylightwastobeseeninit。Itwasadressing-room，asIsupposedfromthefurniture，thoughmuchofitwasofformsandusesthenquiteunknowntome。Butprominentinitwasadrapedtablewithagildedlooking-glass，andthatImadeoutatfirstsighttobeafinelady'sdressing-table。
WhetherIshouldhavemadeoutthisobjectsosoon，iftherehadbeennofineladysittingatit，Icannotsay。Inanarm-chair，withanelbowrestingonthetableandherheadleaningonthathand，satthestrangestladyIhaveeverseen，orshalleversee。
Shewasdressedinrichmaterials-satins，andlace，andsilks-allofwhite。Hershoeswerewhite。Andshehadalongwhileveildependentfromherhair，andshehadbridalflowersinherhair，butherhairwaswhite。Somebrightjewelssparkledonherneckandonherhands，andsomeotherjewelslaysparklingonthetable。Dresses，lesssplendidthanthedressshewore，andhalf-packedtrunks，werescatteredabout。Shehadnotquitefinisheddressing，forshehadbutoneshoeon-theotherwasonthetablenearherhand-herveilwasbuthalfarranged，herwatchandchainwerenotputon，andsomelaceforherbosomlaywiththosetrinkets，andwithherhandkerchief，andgloves，andsomeflowers，andaprayer-book，allconfusedlyheapedaboutthelooking-glass。
ItwasnotinthefirstfewmomentstheIsawallthesethings，thoughIsawmoreoftheminthefirstmomentsthanmightbesupposed。But，I
sawthateverythingwithinmyviewwhichoughttobewhite，hadbeenwhitelongago，andhadlostitslustre，andwasfadedandyellow。Isawthatthebridewithinthebridaldresshadwitheredlikethedress，andliketheflowers，andhadnobrightnessleftbutthebrightnessofhersunkeneyes。Isawthatthedresshadbeenputupontheroundedfigureofayoungwoman，andthatthefigureuponwhichitnowhungloose，hadshrunktoskinandbone。Once，IhadbeentakentoseesomeghastlywaxworkattheFair，representingIknownotwhatimpossiblepersonagelyinginstate。
Once，Ihadbeentakentooneofouroldmarshchurchestoseeaskeletonintheashesofarichdress，thathadbeendugoutofavaultunderthechurchpavement。Now，waxworkandskeletonseemedtohavedarkeyesthatmovedandlookedatme。Ishouldhavecriedout，ifIcould。
`Whoisit？'saidtheladyatthetable。
`Pip，ma'am。'
`Pip？'
`MrPumblechook'sboy，ma'am。Come-toplay。'
`Comenearer；letmelookatyou。Comeclose。'
ItwaswhenIstoodbeforeher，avoidinghereyes，thatItooknoteofthesurroundingobjectsindetail，andsawthatherwatchhadstoppedattwentyminutestonine，andthataclockintheroomhadstoppedattwentyminutestonine。
`Lookatme，'saidMissHavisham。`Youarenotafraidofawomanwhohasneverseenthesunsinceyouwereborn？'
IregardtostatethatIwasnotafraidoftellingtheenormousliecomprehendedintheanswer`No。'
`DoyouknowwhatItouchhere？'shesaid，layingherhands，oneupontheother，onherleftside。
`Yes，ma'am。'(Itmademethinkoftheyoungman。)
`WhatdoItouch？'
`Yourheart。'
`Broken！'
Sheutteredthewordwithaneagerlook，andwithstrongemphasis，andwithaweirdsmilethathadakindofboastinit。Afterwards，shekeptherhandsthereforalittlewhile，andslowlytookthemawayasiftheywereheavy。
`Iamtired，'saidMissHavisham。`Iwantdiversion，andIhavedonewithmenandwomen。Play。'
Ithinkitwillbeconcededbymymostdisputatiousreader，thatshecouldhardlyhavedirectedanunfortunateboytodoanythinginthewideworldmoredifficulttobedoneunderthecircumstances。
`Isometimeshavesickfancies，'shewenton，`andIhaveasickfancythatIwanttoseesomeplay。Therethere！'withanimpatientmovementofthefingersofherrighthand；`play，play，play！'
Foramoment，withthefearofmysister'sworkingmebeforemyeyes，IhadadesperateideaofstartingroundtheroomintheassumedcharacterofMrPumblechook'schaise-cart。But，IfeltmyselfsounequaltotheperformancethatIgaveitup，andstoodlookingatMissHavishaminwhatIsupposeshetookforadoggedmanner，inasmuchasshesaid，whenwehadtakenagoodlookateachother:
`Areyousullenandobstinate？'
`No，ma'am，Iamverysorryforyou，andverysorryIcan'tplayjustnow。IfyoucomplainofmeIshallgetintotroublewithmysister，soIwoulddoitifIcould；butit'ssonewhere，andsostrange，andsofine-andmelancholy——'Istopped，fearingImightsaytoomuch，orhadalreadysaidit，andwetookanotherlookateachother。
Beforeshespokeagain，sheturnedhereyesfromme，andlookedatthedressshewore，andatthedressing-table，andfinallyatherselfinthelooking-glass。
`Sonewtohim，'shemuttered，`sooldtome；sostrangetohim，sofamiliartome；somelancholytobothofus！CallEstella。'
Asshewasstilllookingatthereflectionofherself，Ithoughtshewasstilltalkingtoherself，andkeptquiet。
`CallEstella，'sherepeated，flashingalookatme。`Youcandothat。
CallEstella。Atthedoor。'
Tostandinthedarkinamysteriouspassageofanunknownhouse，bawlingEstellatoascornfulyoungladyneithervisiblenorresponsive，andfeelingitadreadfullibertysotoroarouthername，wasalmostasbadasplayingtoorder。But，sheansweredatlast，andherlightcamealongthedarkpassagelikeastar。
MissHavishambeckonedhertocomeclose，andtookupajewelfromthetable，andtrieditseffectuponherfairyoungbosomandagainstherprettybrownhair。`Yourown，oneday，mydear，andyouwilluseitwell。Letmeseeyouplaycardswiththisboy。'
`Withthisboy？Why，heisacommonlabouring-boy！'
IthoughtIoverheardMissHavishamanswer-onlyitseemedsounlikely-`Well？Youcanbreakhisheart。'
`Whatdoyouplay，boy？'askedEstellaofmyself，withthegreatestdisdain。
`Nothingbutbeggarmyneighbour，miss。'
`Beggarhim，'saidMissHavishamtoEstella。Sowesatdowntocards。
ItwasthenIbegantounderstandthateverythingintheroomhadstopped，likethewatchandtheclock，alongtimeago。InoticedthatMissHavishamputdownthejewelexactlyonthespotformwhichshehadtakenitup。
AsEstelladealtthecards，Iglancedatthedressing-tableagain，andsawthattheshoeuponit，oncewhite，nowyellow，hadneverbeenworn。
Iglanceddownatthefootfromwhichtheshoewasabsent，andsawthatthesilkstockingonit，oncewhite，nowyellow，hadbeentroddenragged。
Withoutthisarrestofeverything，thisstandingstillofallthepaledecayedobjects，noteventhewitheredbridaldressonthecollapsedfromcouldhavelookedsolikegrave-clothes，orthelongveilsolikeashroud。
Soshesat，corpse-like，asweplayedatcards；thefrillingsandtrimmingsonherbridaldress，lookinglikeearthypaper。Iknewnothingthen，ofthediscoveriesthatareoccasionallymadeofbodiesburiedinancienttimes，whichfalltopowderinthemomentofbeingdistinctlyseen；but，Ihaveoftenthoughtsince，thatshemusthavelookedasiftheadmissionofthenaturallightofdaywouldhavestruckhertodust。
`Hecallstheknaves，Jacks，thisboy！'saidEstellawithdisdain，beforeourfirstgamewasout。`Andwhatcoarsehandshehas！Andwhatthickboots！'
Ihadneverthoughtofbeingashamedofmyhandsbefore；butIbegantoconsiderthemaveryindifferentpair。Hercontemptformewassostrong，thatitbecameinfectious，andIcaughtit。
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