DAVID COPPERFIELD cartea

8/14/2019 DAVID COPPERFIELD cartea

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DAVID COPPERFIELD

Charles Dickens

Cap I.

Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of m o!n life" or !hether that station !ill behel# b an bo# else" these pa$es must sho!. %o be$in m life !ith the be$innin$ ofm life" I recor# that I !as born &as I ha'e been informe# an# belie'e( on a Fri#a " att!el'e o)clock at ni$ht. It !as remarke# that the clock be$an to strike" an# I be$an tocr " simultaneousl .

In consi#eration of the #a an# hour of m birth" it !as #eclare# b the nurse" an# bsome sa$e !omen in the nei$hbourhoo# !ho ha# taken a li'el interest in me se'eralmonths before there !as an possibilit of our becomin$ personall ac*uainte#" first"

that I !as #estine# to be unluck in life+ an# secon#l " that I !as pri'ile$e# to see$hosts an# spirits+ both these $ifts ine'itabl attachin$" as the belie'e#" to all unluckinfants of either $en#er" born to!ar#s the small hours on a Fri#a ni$ht.

I nee# sa nothin$ here" on the first hea#" because nothin$ can sho! better than mhistor !hether that pre#iction !as 'erifie# or falsifie# b the result. On the secon#

branch of the *uestion" I !ill onl remark" that unless I ran throu$h that part of minheritance !hile I !as still a bab " I ha'e not come into it et. ,ut I #o not at allcomplain of ha'in$ been kept out of this propert + an# if an bo# else shoul# be in the

present en-o ment of it" he is heartil !elcome to keep it.

I !as born !ith a caul" !hich !as a#'ertise# for sale" in the ne!spapers" at the lo! price of fifteen $uineas. Whether sea $oin$ people !ere short of mone about thattime" or !ere short of faith an# preferre# cork -ackets" I #on)t kno!+ all I kno! is" thatthere !as but one solitar bi##in$" an# that !as from an attorne connecte# !ith the

bill brokin$ business" !ho offere# t!o poun#s in cash" an# the balance in sherr " but#ecline# to be $uarantee# from #ro!nin$ on an hi$her bar$ain. Conse*uentl thea#'ertisement !as !ith#ra!n at a #ea# loss for as to sherr " m poor #ear mother)so!n sherr !as in the market then an# ten ears after!ar#s" the caul !as put up in araffle #o!n in our part of the countr " to fift members at half a cro!n a hea#" the!inner to spen# fi'e shillin$s. I !as present m self" an# I remember to ha'e felt *uiteuncomfortable an# confuse#" at a part of m self bein$ #ispose# of in that !a . %he

caul !as !on" I recollect" b an ol# la# !ith a han# basket" !ho" 'er reluctantl " pro#uce# from it the stipulate# fi'e shillin$s" all in halfpence" an# t!opence halfpennshort as it took an immense time an# a $reat !aste of arithmetic" to en#ea'our!ithout an effect to pro'e to her. It is a fact !hich !ill be lon$ remembere# asremarkable #o!n there" that she !as ne'er #ro!ne#" but #ie# triumphantl in be#" atninet t!o. I ha'e un#erstoo# that it !as" to the last" her prou#est boast" that she ne'erha# been on the !ater in her life" e/cept upon a bri#$e+ an# that o'er her tea &to !hichshe !as e/tremel partial( she" to the last" e/presse# her in#i$nation at the impiet of


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mariners an# others" !ho ha# the presumption to $o )mean#erin$) about the !orl#. It!as in 'ain to represent to her that some con'eniences" tea perhaps inclu#e#" resulte#from this ob-ectionable practice. 0he al!a s returne#" !ith $reater emphasis an# !ithan instincti'e kno!le#$e of the stren$th of her ob-ection" )Let us ha'e no mean#erin$.)

1ot to mean#er m self" at present" I !ill $o back to m birth.

I !as born at ,lun#erstone" in 0uffolk" or )there b )" as the sa in 0cotlan#. I !as a posthumous chil#. 2 father)s e es ha# close# upon the li$ht of this !orl# si/ months"!hen mine opene# on it. %here is somethin$ stran$e to me" e'en no!" in the reflectionthat he ne'er sa! me+ an# somethin$ stran$er et in the sha#o! remembrance that Iha'e of m first chil#ish associations !ith his !hite $ra'e stone in the church ar#"an# of the in#efinable compassion I use# to feel for it l in$ out alone there in the #arkni$ht" !hen our little parlour !as !arm an# bri$ht !ith fire an# can#le" an# the #oorsof our house !ere almost cruell " it seeme# to me sometimes bolte# an# locke#a$ainst it.

An aunt of m father)s" an# conse*uentl a $reat aunt of mine" of !hom I shall ha'emore to relate b an# b " !as the principal ma$nate of our famil . 2iss %rot!oo#" or2iss ,etse " as m poor mother al!a s calle# her" !hen she sufficientl o'ercameher #rea# of this formi#able persona$e to mention her at all &!hich !as sel#om(" ha#

been marrie# to a husban# oun$er than herself" !ho !as 'er han#some" e/cept inthe sense of the homel a#a$e" )han#some is" that han#some #oes) for he !as stron$lsuspecte# of ha'in$ beaten 2iss ,etse " an# e'en of ha'in$ once" on a #ispute#*uestion of supplies" ma#e some hast but #etermine# arran$ements to thro! her outof a t!o pair of stairs) !in#o!. %hese e'i#ences of an incompatibilit of temperin#uce# 2iss ,etse to pa him off" an# effect a separation b mutual consent. 3e

!ent to In#ia !ith his capital" an# there" accor#in$ to a !il# le$en# in our famil " he!as once seen ri#in$ on an elephant" in compan !ith a ,aboon+ but I think it mustha'e been a ,aboo or a ,e$um. An ho!" from In#ia ti#in$s of his #eath reache#home" !ithin ten ears. 3o! the affecte# m aunt" nobo# kne!+ for imme#iatelupon the separation" she took her mai#en name a$ain" bou$ht a cotta$e in a hamlet onthe sea coast a lon$ !a off" establishe# herself there as a sin$le !oman !ith oneser'ant" an# !as un#erstoo# to li'e seclu#e#" e'er after!ar#s" in an infle/ibleretirement.

2 father ha# once been a fa'ourite of hers" I belie'e+ but she !as mortall affronte# b his marria$e" on the $roun# that m mother !as )a !a/ #oll). 0he ha# ne'er seenm mother" but she kne! her to be not et t!ent . 2 father an# 2iss ,etse ne'ermet a$ain. 3e !as #ouble m mother)s a$e !hen he marrie#" an# of but a #elicateconstitution. 3e #ie# a ear after!ar#s" an#" as I ha'e sai#" si/ months before I cameinto the !orl#.

%his !as the state of matters" on the afternoon of" !hat I ma be e/cuse# for callin$"that e'entful an# important Fri#a . I can make no claim therefore to ha'e kno!n" at


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%he !ent into the parlour m mother ha# come from" the fire in the best room on theother si#e of the passa$e not bein$ li$hte# not ha'in$ been li$hte#" in#ee#" since mfather)s funeral+ an# !hen the !ere both seate#" an# 2iss ,etse sai# nothin$" mmother" after 'ainl tr in$ to restrain herself" be$an to cr . )Oh tut" tut" tut6) sai# 2iss,etse " in a hurr . )Don)t #o that6 Come" come6)

2 mother coul#n)t help it not!ithstan#in$" so she crie# until she ha# ha# her cr out.

)%ake off our cap" chil#") sai# 2iss ,etse " )an# let me see ou.)

24 mother !as too much afrai# of her to refuse compliance !ith this o## re*uest" ifshe ha# an #isposition to #o so. %herefore she #i# as she !as tol#" an# #i# it !ithsuch ner'ous han#s that her hair &!hich !as lu/uriant an# beautiful( fell all about herface.

)Wh " bless m heart6) e/claime# 2iss ,etse . )4ou are a 'er ,ab 6)

2 mother !as" no #oubt" unusuall outhful in appearance e'en for her ears+ shehun$ her hea#" as if it !ere her fault" poor thin$" an# sai#" sobbin$" that in#ee# she!as afrai# she !as but a chil#ish !i#o!" an# !oul# be but a chil#ish mother if sheli'e#. In a short pause !hich ensue#" she ha# a fanc that she felt 2iss ,etse touchher hair" an# that !ith no un$entle han#+ but" lookin$ at her" in her timi# hope" shefoun# that la# sittin$ !ith the skirt of her #ress tucke# up" her han#s fol#e# on oneknee" an# her feet upon the fen#er" fro!nin$ at the fire.

)In the name of 3ea'en") sai# 2iss ,etse " su##enl " )!h Rooker 5)

)Do ou mean the house" ma)am5) aske# m mother.

)Wh Rooker 5) sai# 2iss ,etse . )Cooker !oul# ha'e been more to the purpose" ifou ha# ha# an practical i#eas of life" either of ou.)

)%he name !as 2r. Copperfiel#)s choice") returne# m mother. )When he bou$ht thehouse" he like# to think that there !ere rooks about it.)

%he e'enin$ !in# ma#e such a #isturbance -ust no!" amon$ some tall ol# elm trees atthe bottom of the $ar#en" that neither m mother nor 2iss ,etse coul# forbear$lancin$ that !a . As the elms bent to one another" like $iants !ho !ere !hisperin$

secrets" an# after a fe! secon#s of such repose" fell into a 'iolent flurr " tossin$ their!il# arms about" as if their late confi#ences !ere reall too !icke# for their peace ofmin#" some !eatherbeaten ra$$e# ol# rooks) nests" bur#enin$ their hi$her branches"s!un$ like !recks upon a storm sea.

)Where are the bir#s5) aske# 2iss ,etse .

)%he 5 ) 2 mother ha# been thinkin$ of somethin$ else.


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)%he rooks !hat has become of them5) aske# 2iss ,etse .

)%here ha'e not been an since !e ha'e li'e# here") sai# m mother. )We thou$ht 2r.Copperfiel# thou$ht it !as *uite a lar$e rooker + but the nests !ere 'er ol# ones"an# the bir#s ha'e #eserte# them a lon$ !hile.)

)Da'i# Copperfiel# all o'er6) crie# 2iss ,etse . )Da'i# Copperfiel# from hea# to foot6Calls a house a rooker !hen there)s not a rook near it" an# takes the bir#s on trust"

because he sees the nests6)

)2r. Copperfiel#") returne# m mother" )is #ea#" an# if ou #are to speak unkin#l ofhim to me )

2 poor #ear mother" I suppose" ha# some momentar intention of committin$ anassault an# batter upon m aunt" !ho coul# easil ha'e settle# her !ith one han#"e'en if m mother ha# been in far better trainin$ for such an encounter than she !as

that e'enin$. ,ut it passe# !ith the action of risin$ from her chair+ an# she sat #o!na$ain 'er meekl " an# fainte#.

When she came to herself" or !hen 2iss ,etse ha# restore# her" !hiche'er it !as"she foun# the latter stan#in$ at the !in#o!. %he t!ili$ht !as b this time sha#in$#o!n into #arkness+ an# #iml as the sa! each other" the coul# not ha'e #one that!ithout the ai# of the fire.

)Well5) sai# 2iss ,etse " comin$ back to her chair" as if she ha# onl been takin$ acasual look at the prospect+ )an# !hen #o ou e/pect )

)I am all in a tremble") faltere# m mother. )I #on)t kno! !hat)s the matter. I shall #ie" Iam sure6)

)1o" no" no") sai# 2iss ,etse . )3a'e some tea.)

)Oh #ear me" #ear me" #o ou think it !ill #o me an $oo#5) crie# m mother in ahelpless manner.

)Of course it !ill") sai# 2iss ,etse . )It)s nothin$ but fanc . What #o ou call our$irl5)

)I #on)t kno! that it !ill be a $irl" et" ma)am") sai# m mother innocentl .

),less the ,ab 6) e/claime# 2iss ,etse " unconsciousl *uotin$ the secon# sentimentof the pincushion in the #ra!er upstairs" but appl in$ it to m mother instea# of me" )I#on)t mean that. I mean our ser'ant $irl.)

)Pe$$ott ") sai# m mother.


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)Pe$$ott 6) repeate# 2iss ,etse " !ith some in#i$nation. )Do ou mean to sa " chil#"that an human bein$ has $one into a Christian church" an# $ot herself name#Pe$$ott 5) )It)s her surname") sai# m mother" faintl . )2r. Copperfiel# calle# her b it"

because her Christian name !as the same as mine.)

)3ere6 Pe$$ott 6) crie# 2iss ,etse " openin$ the parlour #oor. )%ea. 4our mistress is alittle un!ell. Don)t #a!#le.)

3a'in$ issue# this man#ate !ith as much potentialit as if she ha# been a reco$ni7e#authorit in the house e'er since it ha# been a house" an# ha'in$ looke# out toconfront the ama7e# Pe$$ott comin$ alon$ the passa$e !ith a can#le at the soun# ofa stran$e 'oice" 2iss ,etse shut the #oor a$ain" an# sat #o!n as before8 !ith her feeton the fen#er" the skirt of her #ress tucke# up" an# her han#s fol#e# on one knee.

)4ou !ere speakin$ about its bein$ a $irl") sai# 2iss ,etse . )I ha'e no #oubt it !ill bea $irl. I ha'e a presentiment that it must be a $irl. 1o! chil#" from the moment of the

birth of this $irl )

)Perhaps bo ") m mother took the libert of puttin$ in.

)I tell ou I ha'e a presentiment that it must be a $irl") returne# 2iss ,etse . )Don)tcontra#ict. From the moment of this $irl)s birth" chil#" I inten# to be her frien#. Iinten# to be her $o#mother" an# I be$ ou)ll call her ,etse %rot!oo# Copperfiel#.%here must be no mistakes in life !ith %3I0 ,etse %rot!oo#. %here must be notriflin$ !ith 3ER affections" poor #ear. 0he must be !ell brou$ht up" an# !ell$uar#e# from reposin$ an foolish confi#ences !here the are not #eser'e#. I mustmake that 24 care.)

%here !as a t!itch of 2iss ,etse )s hea#" after each of these sentences" as if her o!nol# !ron$s !ere !orkin$ !ithin her" an# she represse# an plainer reference to them

b stron$ constraint. 0o m mother suspecte#" at least" as she obser'e# her b the lo!$limmer of the fire8 too much scare# b 2iss ,etse " too uneas in herself" an# toosub#ue# an# be!il#ere# alto$ether" to obser'e an thin$ 'er clearl " or to kno! !hatto sa .

)An# !as Da'i# $oo# to ou" chil#5) aske# 2iss ,etse " !hen she ha# been silent fora little !hile" an# these motions of her hea# ha# $ra#uall cease#. )Were oucomfortable to$ether5)

)We !ere 'er happ ") sai# m mother. )2r. Copperfiel# !as onl too $oo# to me.)

)What" he spoilt ou" I suppose5) returne# 2iss ,etse .

)For bein$ *uite alone an# #epen#ent on m self in this rou$h !orl# a$ain" es" I fearhe #i# in#ee#") sobbe# m mother.


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)Well6 Don)t cr 6) sai# 2iss ,etse . )4ou !ere not e*uall matche#" chil# if an t!o people can be e*uall matche# an# so I aske# the *uestion. 4ou !ere an orphan"!eren)t ou5) )4es.)

)An# a $o'erness5)

)I !as nurser $o'erness in a famil !here 2r. Copperfiel# came to 'isit. 2r.Copperfiel# !as 'er kin# to me" an# took a $reat #eal of notice of me" an# pai# me a$oo# #eal of attention" an# at last propose# to me. An# I accepte# him. An# so !e!ere marrie#") sai# m mother simpl .

)3a6 Poor ,ab 6) muse# 2iss ,etse " !ith her fro!n still bent upon the fire. )Do oukno! an thin$5)

)I be$ our par#on" ma)am") faltere# m mother.

)About keepin$ house" for instance") sai# 2iss ,etse .

)1ot much" I fear") returne# m mother. )1ot so much as I coul# !ish. ,ut 2r.Copperfiel# !as teachin$ me )

&)2uch he kne! about it himself6)( sai# 2iss ,etse in a parenthesis.

)An# I hope I shoul# ha'e impro'e#" bein$ 'er an/ious to learn" an# he 'er patientto teach me" if the $reat misfortune of his #eath) m mother broke #o!n a$ain here"an# coul# $et no farther.

)Well" !ell6) sai# 2iss ,etse .

)I kept m housekeepin$ book re$ularl " an# balance# it !ith 2r. Copperfiel# e'erni$ht") crie# m mother in another burst of #istress" an# breakin$ #o!n a$ain.

)Well" !ell6) sai# 2iss ,etse . )Don)t cr an more.)

)An# I am sure !e ne'er ha# a !or# of #ifference respectin$ it" e/cept !hen 2r.Copperfiel# ob-ecte# to m threes an# fi'es bein$ too much like each other" or to m

puttin$ curl tails to m se'ens an# nines") resume# m mother in another burst" an# breakin$ #o!n a$ain.

)4ou)ll make ourself ill") sai# 2iss ,etse " )an# ou kno! that !ill not be $oo# eitherfor ou or for m $o# #au$hter. Come6 4ou mustn)t #o it6)

%his ar$ument ha# some share in *uietin$ m mother" thou$h her increasin$in#isposition ha# a lar$er one. %here !as an inter'al of silence" onl broken b 2iss,etse )s occasionall e-aculatin$ )3a6) as she sat !ith her feet upon the fen#er.


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2r. Chillip !as so alarme# b her abruptness as he tol# m mother after!ar#s thatit !as a merc he #i#n)t lose his presence of min#. ,ut he repeate# s!eetl 8

)0ome local irritation" ma)am5)

)1onsense6) replie# m aunt" an# corke# herself a$ain" at one blo!.

2r. Chillip coul# #o nothin$ after this" but sit an# look at her feebl " as she sat an#looke# at the fire" until he !as calle# upstairs a$ain. After some *uarter of an hour)sabsence" he returne#.

)Well5) sai# m aunt" takin$ the cotton out of the ear nearest to him.

)Well" ma)am") returne# 2r. Chillip" )!e are !e are pro$ressin$ slo!l " ma)am.)

),a a ah6) sai# m aunt" !ith a perfect shake on the contemptuous inter-ection. An#

corke# herself as before.

Reall reall as 2r. Chillip tol# m mother" he !as almost shocke#+ speakin$ in a professional point of 'ie! alone" he !as almost shocke#. ,ut he sat an# looke# at her"not!ithstan#in$" for nearl t!o hours" as she sat lookin$ at the fire" until he !as a$aincalle# out. After another absence" he a$ain returne#.

)Well5) sai# m aunt" takin$ out the cotton on that si#e a$ain.

)Well" ma)am") returne# 2r. Chillip" )!e are !e are pro$ressin$

slo!l " ma)am.)

)4a a ah6) sai# m aunt. With such a snarl at him" that 2r. Chillip absolutel coul#not bear it. It !as reall calculate# to break his spirit" he sai# after!ar#s. 3e preferre#to $o an# sit upon the stairs" in the #ark an# a stron$ #rau$ht" until he !as a$ain sentfor.

3am Pe$$ott " !ho !ent to the national school" an# !as a 'er #ra$on at hiscatechism" an# !ho ma therefore be re$ar#e# as a cre#ible !itness" reporte# ne/t#a " that happenin$ to peep in at the parlour #oor an hour after this" he !as instantl#escrie# b 2iss ,etse " then !alkin$ to an# fro in a state of a$itation" an# pounce#

upon before he coul# make his escape. %hat there !ere no! occasional soun#s of feetan# 'oices o'erhea# !hich he inferre# the cotton #i# not e/clu#e" from thecircumstance of his e'i#entl bein$ clutche# b the la# as a 'ictim on !hom toe/pen# her superabun#ant a$itation !hen the soun#s !ere lou#est. %hat" marchin$him constantl up an# #o!n b the collar &as if he ha# been takin$ too muchlau#anum(" she" at those times" shook him" rumple# his hair" ma#e li$ht of his linen"stoppe# his ears as if she confoun#e# them !ith her o!n" an# other!ise tousle# an#


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maltreate# him. %his !as in part confirme# b his aunt" !ho sa! him at half pastt!el'e o)clock" soon after his release" an# affirme# that he !as then as re# as I !as.

%he mil# 2r. Chillip coul# not possibl bear malice at such a time" if at an time. 3esi#le# into the parlour as soon as he !as at libert " an# sai# to m aunt in his meekest

manner8

)Well" ma)am" I am happ to con$ratulate ou.)

)What upon5) sai# m aunt" sharpl .

2r. Chillip !as fluttere# a$ain" b the e/treme se'erit of m aunt)s manner+ so hema#e her a little bo! an# $a'e her a little smile" to mollif her.

)2erc on the man" !hat)s he #oin$6) crie# m aunt" impatientl . )Can)t he speak5)

),e calm" m #ear ma)am") sai# 2r. Chillip" in his softest accents.

)%here is no lon$er an occasion for uneasiness" ma)am. ,e calm.)

It has since been consi#ere# almost a miracle that m aunt #i#n)t shake him" an# shake!hat he ha# to sa " out of him. 0he onl shook her o!n hea# at him" but in a !a thatma#e him *uail.

)Well" ma)am") resume# 2r. Chillip" as soon as he ha# coura$e" )I am happ tocon$ratulate ou. All is no! o'er" ma)am" an# !ell o'er.)

Durin$ the fi'e minutes or so that 2r. Chillip #e'ote# to the #eli'er of this oration"m aunt e e# him narro!l .

)3o! is she5) sai# m aunt" fol#in$ her arms !ith her bonnet still tie# on one of them.

)Well" ma)am" she !ill soon be *uite comfortable" I hope") returne# 2r. Chillip. ):uiteas comfortable as !e can e/pect a oun$ mother to be" un#er these melanchol#omestic circumstances. %here cannot be an ob-ection to our seein$ her presentl "ma)am. It ma #o her $oo#.)

)An# 03E. 3o! is 03E5) sai# m aunt" sharpl .

2r. Chillip lai# his hea# a little more on one si#e" an# looke# at m aunt like anamiable bir#.

)%he bab ") sai# m aunt. )3o! is she5)

)2a)am") returne# 2r. Chillip" )I apprehen#e# ou ha# kno!n. It)s a bo .)


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2 aunt sai# ne'er a !or#" but took her bonnet b the strin$s" in the manner of aslin$" aime# a blo! at 2r. Chillip)s hea# !ith it" put it on bent" !alke# out" an# ne'ercame back. 0he 'anishe# like a #iscontente# fair + or like one of those supernatural

bein$s" !hom it !as popularl suppose# I !as entitle# to see+ an# ne'er came backan more.

1o. I la in m basket" an# m mother la in her be#+ but ,etse %rot!oo#Copperfiel# !as for e'er in the lan# of #reams an# sha#o!s" the tremen#ous re$ion!hence I ha# so latel tra'elle#+ an# the li$ht upon the !in#o! of our room shone outupon the earthl bourne of all such tra'ellers" an# the moun# abo'e the ashes an# the#ust that once !as he" !ithout !hom I ha# ne'er been.

Cap II

%he first ob-ects that assume a #istinct presence before me" as I look far back" into the blank of m infanc " are m mother !ith her prett hair an# outhful shape" an#

Pe$$ott !ith no shape at all" an# e es so #ark that the seeme# to #arken their !holenei$hbourhoo# in her face" an# cheeks an# arms so har# an# re# that I !on#ere# the bir#s #i#n)t peck her in preference to apples.

I belie'e I can remember these t!o at a little #istance apart" #!arfe# to m si$ht bstoopin$ #o!n or kneelin$ on the floor" an# I $oin$ unstea#il from the one to theother. I ha'e an impression on m min# !hich I cannot #istin$uish from actualremembrance" of the touch of Pe$$ott )s forefin$er as she use# to hol# it out to me"an# of its bein$ rou$hene# b nee#le!ork" like a pocket nutme$ $rater.

%his ma be fanc " thou$h I think the memor of most of us can $o farther back into

such times than man of us suppose+ -ust as I belie'e the po!er of obser'ation innumbers of 'er oun$ chil#ren to be *uite !on#erful for its closeness an# accurac .In#ee#" I think that most $ro!n men !ho are remarkable in this respect" ma !ith$reater propriet be sai# not to ha'e lost the facult " than to ha'e ac*uire# it+ therather" as I $enerall obser'e such men to retain a certain freshness" an# $entleness"an# capacit of bein$ please#" !hich are also an inheritance the ha'e preser'e# fromtheir chil#hoo#.

I mi$ht ha'e a mis$i'in$ that I am )mean#erin$) in stoppin$ to sa this" but that it brin$s me to remark that I buil# these conclusions" in part upon m o!n e/perience ofm self+ an# if it shoul# appear from an thin$ I ma set #o!n in this narrati'e that I!as a chil# of close obser'ation" or that as a man I ha'e a stron$ memor of mchil#hoo#" I un#oubte#l la claim to both of these characteristics.

Lookin$ back" as I !as sa in$" into the blank of m infanc " the first ob-ects I canremember as stan#in$ out b themsel'es from a confusion of thin$s" are m motheran# Pe$$ott . What else #o I remember5 Let me see.


12/722


13/722

somethin$ out lou#+ an# !hat !oul# become of me then6 I look up at the monumentaltablets on the !all" an# tr to think of 2r. ,o#$ers late of this parish" an# !hat thefeelin$s of 2rs. ,o#$ers must ha'e been" !hen affliction sore" lon$ time 2r. ,o#$ers

bore" an# ph sicians !ere in 'ain. I !on#er !hether the calle# in 2r. Chillip" an# he!as in 'ain+ an# if so" ho! he likes to be remin#e# of it once a !eek. I look from 2r.

Chillip" in his 0un#a neckcloth" to the pulpit+ an# think !hat a $oo# place it !oul# beto pla in" an# !hat a castle it !oul# make" !ith another bo comin$ up the stairs toattack it" an# ha'in$ the 'el'et cushion !ith the tassels thro!n #o!n on his hea#. Intime m e es $ra#uall shut up+ an#" from seemin$ to hear the cler$ man sin$in$ a#ro!s son$ in the heat" I hear nothin$" until I fall off the seat !ith a crash" an# amtaken out" more #ea# than ali'e" b Pe$$ott .

An# no! I see the outsi#e of our house" !ith the lattice# be#room !in#o!s stan#in$open to let in the s!eet smellin$ air" an# the ra$$e# ol# rooks) nests still #an$lin$ inthe elm trees at the bottom of the front $ar#en. 1o! I am in the $ar#en at the back"

be on# the ar# !here the empt pi$eon house an# #o$ kennel are a 'er preser'e

of butterflies" as I remember it" !ith a hi$h fence" an# a $ate an# pa#lock+ !here thefruit clusters on the trees" riper an# richer than fruit has e'er been since" in an other$ar#en" an# !here m mother $athers some in a basket" !hile I stan# b " boltin$furti'e $ooseberries" an# tr in$ to look unmo'e#. A $reat !in# rises" an# the summeris $one in a moment. We are pla in$ in the !inter t!ili$ht" #ancin$ about the parlour.When m mother is out of breath an# rests herself in an elbo! chair" I !atch her!in#in$ her bri$ht curls roun# her fin$ers" an# straitenin$ her !aist" an# nobo#kno!s better than I #o that she likes to look so !ell" an# is prou# of bein$ so prett .

%hat is amon$ m 'er earliest impressions. %hat" an# a sense that !e !ere both alittle afrai# of Pe$$ott " an# submitte# oursel'es in most thin$s to her #irection" !ere

amon$ the first opinions if the ma be so calle# that I e'er #eri'e# from !hat Isa!.

Pe$$ott an# I !ere sittin$ one ni$ht b the parlour fire" alone. I ha# been rea#in$ toPe$$ott about croco#iles. I must ha'e rea# 'er perspicuousl " or the poor soul mustha'e been #eepl intereste#" for I remember she ha# a clou# impression" after I ha##one" that the !ere a sort of 'e$etable. I !as tire# of rea#in$" an# #ea# sleep + butha'in$ lea'e" as a hi$h treat" to sit up until m mother came home from spen#in$ thee'enin$ at a nei$hbour)s" I !oul# rather ha'e #ie# upon m post &of course( than ha'e$one to be#. I ha# reache# that sta$e of sleepiness !hen Pe$$ott seeme# to s!ell an#$ro! immensel lar$e. I proppe# m e eli#s open !ith m t!o forefin$ers" an#looke# perse'erin$l at her as she sat at !ork+ at the little bit of !a/ can#le she keptfor her threa# ho! ol# it looke#" bein$ so !rinkle# in all #irections6 at the littlehouse !ith a thatche# roof" !here the ar# measure li'e#+ at her !ork bo/ !ith asli#in$ li#" !ith a 'ie! of 0t. Paul)s Cathe#ral &!ith a pink #ome( painte# on the top+at the brass thimble on her fin$er+ at herself" !hom I thou$ht lo'el . I felt so sleep "that I kne! if I lost si$ht of an thin$ for a moment" I !as $one.

)Pe$$ott ") sa s I" su##enl " )!ere ou e'er marrie#5)


14/722

)Lor#" 2aster Da' ") replie# Pe$$ott . )What)s put marria$e in our hea#5)

0he ans!ere# !ith such a start" that it *uite a!oke me. An# then she stoppe# in her!ork" an# looke# at me" !ith her nee#le #ra!n out to its threa#)s len$th.

),ut WERE ou e'er marrie#" Pe$$ott 5) sa s I. )4ou are a 'er han#some !oman"an)t ou5)

I thou$ht her in a #ifferent st le from m mother" certainl + but of another school of beaut " I consi#ere# her a perfect e/ample. %here !as a re# 'el'et footstool in the best parlour" on !hich m mother ha# painte# a nose$a . %he $roun# !ork of that stool"an# Pe$$ott )s comple/ion appeare# to me to be one an# the same thin$. %he stool!as smooth" an# Pe$$ott !as rou$h" but that ma#e no #ifference.

)2e han#some" Da' 6) sai# Pe$$ott . )La!k" no" m #ear6 ,ut !hat put marria$e inour hea#5)

)I #on)t kno!6 4ou mustn)t marr more than one person at a time" ma ou"Pe$$ott 5)

)Certainl not") sa s Pe$$ott " !ith the promptest #ecision.

),ut if ou marr a person" an# the person #ies" !h then ou ma marr another person" ma n)t ou" Pe$$ott 5)

)4O; 2A4") sa s Pe$$ott " )if ou choose" m #ear. %hat)s a matter of opinion.)

),ut !hat is our opinion" Pe$$ott 5) sai# I.

I aske# her" an# looke# curiousl at her" because she looke# so curiousl at me.

)2 opinion is") sai# Pe$$ott " takin$ her e es from me" after a little in#ecision an#$oin$ on !ith her !ork" )that I ne'er !as marrie# m self" 2aster Da' " an# that I#on)t e/pect to be. %hat)s all I kno! about the sub-ect.)

)4ou an)t cross" I suppose" Pe$$ott " are ou5) sai# I" after sittin$ *uiet for a minute.

I reall thou$ht she !as" she ha# been so short !ith me+ but I !as *uite mistaken8 for

she lai# asi#e her !ork &!hich !as a stockin$ of her o!n(" an# openin$ her arms!i#e" took m curl hea# !ithin them" an# $a'e it a $oo# s*uee7e. I kno! it !as a$oo# s*uee7e" because" bein$ 'er plump" !hene'er she ma#e an little e/ertion aftershe !as #resse#" some of the buttons on the back of her $o!n fle! off. An# I recollectt!o burstin$ to the opposite si#e of the parlour" !hile she !as hu$$in$ me.

)1o! let me hear some more about the Crorkin#ills") sai# Pe$$ott " !ho !as not *uiteri$ht in the name et" )for I an)t hear# half enou$h.)


15/722

I coul#n)t *uite un#erstan# !h Pe$$ott looke# so *ueer" or !h she !as so rea# to$o back to the croco#iles. 3o!e'er" !e returne# to those monsters" !ith fresh!akefulness on m part" an# !e left their e$$s in the san# for the sun to hatch+ an# !eran a!a from them" an# baffle# them b constantl turnin$" !hich the !ere unableto #o *uickl " on account of their un!iel# make+ an# !e !ent into the !ater after

them" as nati'es" an# put sharp pieces of timber #o!n their throats+ an# in short !e ranthe !hole croco#ile $auntlet. I #i#" at least+ but I ha# m #oubts of Pe$$ott " !ho !asthou$htfull stickin$ her nee#le into 'arious parts of her face an# arms" all the time.

We ha# e/hauste# the croco#iles" an# be$un !ith the alli$ators" !hen the $ar#en bellran$. We !ent out to the #oor+ an# there !as m mother" lookin$ unusuall prett " Ithou$ht" an# !ith her a $entleman !ith beautiful black hair an# !hiskers" !ho ha#!alke# home !ith us from church last 0un#a .

As m mother stoope# #o!n on the threshol# to take me in her arms an# kiss me" the$entleman sai# I !as a more hi$hl pri'ile$e# little fello! than a monarch or

somethin$ like that+ for m later un#erstan#in$ comes" I am sensible" to m ai# here.

)What #oes that mean5) I aske# him" o'er her shoul#er.

3e patte# me on the hea#+ but someho!" I #i#n)t like him or his #eep 'oice" an# I !as -ealous that his han# shoul# touch m mother)s in touchin$ me !hich it #i#. I put ita!a " as !ell as I coul#.

)Oh" Da' 6) remonstrate# m mother.

)Dear bo 6) sai# the $entleman. )I cannot !on#er at his #e'otion6)

I ne'er sa! such a beautiful colour on m mother)s face before. 0he $entl chi# me for bein$ ru#e+ an#" keepin$ me close to her sha!l" turne# to thank the $entleman fortakin$ so much trouble as to brin$ her home. 0he put out her han# to him as she spoke"an#" as he met it !ith his o!n" she $lance#" I thou$ht" at me.

)Let us sa


16/722

24 mother #re! m ri$ht han# for!ar#" but I !as resol'e#" for m former reason"not to $i'e it him" an# I #i# not. I $a'e him the other" an# he shook it heartil " an# sai#I !as a bra'e fello!" an# !ent a!a .

At this minute I see him turn roun# in the $ar#en" an# $i'e us a last look !ith his ill

omene# black e es" before the #oor !as shut.

Pe$$ott " !ho ha# not sai# a !or# or mo'e# a fin$er" secure# the fastenin$s instantl "an# !e all !ent into the parlour. 2 mother" contrar to her usual habit" instea# ofcomin$ to the elbo! chair b the fire" remaine# at the other en# of the room" an# satsin$in$ to herself.

)3ope ou ha'e ha# a pleasant e'enin$" ma)am") sai# Pe$$ott " stan#in$ as stiff as a barrel in the centre of the room" !ith a can#lestick in her han#.

)2uch obli$e# to ou" Pe$$ott ") returne# m mother" in a cheerful 'oice" )I ha'e ha# a

VER4 pleasant e'enin$.)

)A stran$er or so makes an a$reeable chan$e") su$$este# Pe$$ott .

)A 'er a$reeable chan$e" in#ee#") returne# m mother.

Pe$$ott continuin$ to stan# motionless in the mi##le of the room" an# m motherresumin$ her sin$in$" I fell asleep" thou$h I !as not so soun# asleep but that I coul#hear 'oices" !ithout hearin$ !hat the sai#. When I half a!oke from thisuncomfortable #o7e" I foun# Pe$$ott an# m mother both in tears" an# both talkin$.

)1ot such a one as this" 2r. Copperfiel# !oul#n)t ha'e like#") sai# Pe$$ott . )%hat Isa " an# that I s!ear6)

)9oo# 3ea'ens6) crie# m mother" ) ou)ll #ri'e me ma#6 Was e'er an poor $irl so illuse# b her ser'ants as I am6 Wh #o I #o m self the in-ustice of callin$ m self a $irl53a'e I ne'er been marrie#" Pe$$ott 5)

)9o# kno!s ou ha'e" ma)am") returne# Pe$$ott . )%hen" ho! can ou #are") sai# mmother ) ou kno! I #on)t mean ho! can ou #are" Pe$$ott " but ho! can ou ha'ethe heart to make me so uncomfortable an# sa such bitter thin$s to me" !hen ouare !ell a!are that I ha'en)t" out of this place" a sin$le frien# to turn to5)

)%he more)s the reason") returne# Pe$$ott " )for sa in$ that it !on)t #o. 1o6 %hat it!on)t #o. 1o6 1o price coul# make it #o. 1o6) I thou$ht Pe$$ott !oul# ha'e thro!nthe can#lestick a!a " she !as so emphatic !ith it.

)3o! can ou be so a$$ra'atin$") sai# m mother" she##in$ more tears than before" )asto talk in such an un-ust manner6 3o! can ou $o on as if it !as all settle# an#arran$e#" Pe$$ott " !hen I tell ou o'er an# o'er a$ain" ou cruel thin$" that be on#


17/722

the commonest ci'ilities nothin$ has passe#6 4ou talk of a#miration. What am I to #o5If people are so sill as to in#ul$e the sentiment" is it m fault5 What am I to #o" I askou5 Woul# ou !ish me to sha'e m hea# an# black m face" or #isfi$ure m self!ith a burn" or a scal#" or somethin$ of that sort5 I #are sa ou !oul#" Pe$$ott . I#are sa ou)# *uite en-o it.)

Pe$$ott seeme# to take this aspersion 'er much to heart" I thou$ht.

)An# m #ear bo ") crie# m mother" comin$ to the elbo! chair in !hich I !as" an#caressin$ me" )m o!n little Da' 6 Is it to be hinte# to me that I am !antin$ inaffection for m precious treasure" the #earest little fello! that e'er !as6)

)1obo# ne'er !ent an# hinte# no such a thin$") sai# Pe$$ott .

)4ou #i#" Pe$$ott 6) returne# m mother. )4ou kno! ou #i#. What else !as it possible to infer from !hat ou sai#" ou unkin# creature" !hen ou kno! as !ell as I

#o" that on his account onl last *uarter I !oul#n)t bu m self a ne! parasol" thou$hthat ol# $reen one is fra e# the !hole !a up" an# the frin$e is perfectl man$ 5 4oukno! it is" Pe$$ott . 4ou can)t #en it.) %hen" turnin$ affectionatel to me" !ith hercheek a$ainst mine" )Am I a nau$ht mama to ou" Da' 5 Am I a nast " cruel" selfish"

ba# mama5 0a I am" m chil#+ sa < es


18/722

Pe$$ott be$an to be less !ith us" of an e'enin$" than she ha# al!a s been. 2mother #eferre# to her 'er much more than usual" it occurre# to me an# !e !ereall three e/cellent frien#s+ still !e !ere #ifferent from !hat !e use# to be" an# !erenot so comfortable amon$ oursel'es. 0ometimes I fancie# that Pe$$ott perhapsob-ecte# to m mother)s !earin$ all the prett #resses she ha# in her #ra!ers" or to her

$oin$ so often to 'isit at that nei$hbour)s+ but I coul#n)t" to m satisfaction" make outho! it !as.

9ra#uall " I became use# to seein$ the $entleman !ith the black !hiskers. I like# himno better than at first" an# ha# the same uneas -ealous of him+ but if I ha# an reasonfor it be on# a chil#)s instincti'e #islike" an# a $eneral i#ea that Pe$$ott an# I coul#make much of m mother !ithout an help" it certainl !as not %3E reason that Imi$ht ha'e foun# if I ha# been ol#er. 1o such thin$ came into m min#" or near it. Icoul# obser'e" in little pieces" as it !ere+ but as to makin$ a net of a number of these

pieces" an# catchin$ an bo# in it" that !as" as et" be on# me.

One autumn mornin$ I !as !ith m mother in the front $ar#en" !hen 2r. 2ur#stone I kne! him b that name no! came b " on horseback. 3e reine# up his horse tosalute m mother" an# sai# he !as $oin$ to Lo!estoft to see some frien#s !ho !erethere !ith a acht" an# merril propose# to take me on the sa##le before him if I!oul# like the ri#e.

%he air !as so clear an# pleasant" an# the horse seeme# to like the i#ea of the ri#e somuch himself" as he stoo# snortin$ an# pa!in$ at the $ar#en $ate" that I ha# a $reat#esire to $o. 0o I !as sent upstairs to Pe$$ott to be ma#e spruce+ an# in themeantime 2r. 2ur#stone #ismounte#" an#" !ith his horse)s bri#le #ra!n o'er his arm"!alke# slo!l up an# #o!n on the outer si#e of the s!eetbriar fence" !hile m

mother !alke# slo!l up an# #o!n on the inner to keep him compan . I recollectPe$$ott an# I peepin$ out at them from m little !in#o!+ I recollect ho! closelthe seeme# to be e/aminin$ the s!eetbriar bet!een them" as the strolle# alon$+ an#ho!" from bein$ in a perfectl an$elic temper" Pe$$ott turne# cross in a moment" an#

brushe# m hair the !ron$ !a " e/cessi'el har#.

2r. 2ur#stone an# I !ere soon off" an# trottin$ alon$ on the $reen turf b the si#e ofthe roa#. 3e hel# me *uite easil !ith one arm" an# I #on)t think I !as restless usuall +

but I coul# not make up m min# to sit in front of him !ithout turnin$ m hea#sometimes" an# lookin$ up in his face. 3e ha# that kin# of shallo! black e e I !anta better !or# to e/press an e e that has no #epth in it to be looke# into !hich" !henit is abstracte#" seems from some peculiarit of li$ht to be #isfi$ure#" for a moment ata time" b a cast. 0e'eral times !hen I $lance# at him" I obser'e# that appearance !itha sort of a!e" an# !on#ere# !hat he !as thinkin$ about so closel . 3is hair an#!hiskers !ere blacker an# thicker" looke# at so near" than e'en I ha# $i'en themcre#it for bein$. A s*uareness about the lo!er part of his face" an# the #otte#in#ication of the stron$ black bear# he sha'e# close e'er #a " remin#e# me of the!a/ !ork that ha# tra'elle# into our nei$hbourhoo# some half a ear before. %his" hisre$ular e ebro!s" an# the rich !hite" an# black" an# bro!n" of his comple/ion


19/722

confoun# his comple/ion" an# his memor 6 ma#e me think him" in spite of mmis$i'in$s" a 'er han#some man. I ha'e no #oubt that m poor #ear mother thou$hthim so too.

We !ent to an hotel b the sea" !here t!o $entlemen !ere smokin$ ci$ars in a room

b themsel'es. Each of them !as l in$ on at least four chairs" an# ha# a lar$e rou$h -acket on. In a corner !as a heap of coats an# boat cloaks" an# a fla$" all bun#le# upto$ether.

%he both rolle# on to their feet in an unti# sort of manner" !hen !e came in" an#sai#" )3alloa" 2ur#stone6 We thou$ht ou !ere #ea#6)

)1ot et") sai# 2r. 2ur#stone.

)An# !ho)s this sha'er5) sai# one of the $entlemen" takin$ hol# of me.

)%hat)s Da' ") returne# 2r. 2ur#stone.

)Da' !ho5) sai# the $entleman. )=ones5)

)Copperfiel#") sai# 2r. 2ur#stone.

)What6 ,e!itchin$ 2rs. Copperfiel#)s encumbrance5) crie# the $entleman. )%he prettlittle !i#o!5)

):uinion") sai# 2r. 2ur#stone" )take care" if ou please. 0omebo# )s sharp.)

)Who is5) aske# the $entleman" lau$hin$. I looke# up" *uickl + bein$ curious to kno!.

)Onl ,rooks of 0heffiel#") sai# 2r. 2ur#stone.

I !as *uite relie'e# to fin# that it !as onl ,rooks of 0heffiel#+ for" at first" I reallthou$ht it !as I.

%here seeme# to be somethin$ 'er comical in the reputation of 2r. ,rooks of0heffiel#" for both the $entlemen lau$he# heartil !hen he !as mentione#" an# 2r.2ur#stone !as a $oo# #eal amuse# also. After some lau$hin$" the $entleman !homhe ha# calle# :uinion" sai#8

)An# !hat is the opinion of ,rooks of 0heffiel#" in reference to the pro-ecte# business5)

)Wh " I #on)t kno! that ,rooks un#erstan#s much about it at present") replie# 2r.2ur#stone+ )but he is not $enerall fa'ourable" I belie'e.)


20/722

%here !as more lau$hter at this" an# 2r. :uinion sai# he !oul# rin$ the bell for somesherr in !hich to #rink to ,rooks. %his he #i#+ an# !hen the !ine came" he ma#e meha'e a little" !ith a biscuit" an#" before I #rank it" stan# up an# sa " )Confusion to,rooks of 0heffiel#6) %he toast !as recei'e# !ith $reat applause" an# such heartlau$hter that it ma#e me lau$h too+ at !hich the lau$he# the more. In short" !e *uite

en-o e# oursel'es.

We !alke# about on the cliff after that" an# sat on the $rass" an# looke# at thin$sthrou$h a telescope I coul# make out nothin$ m self !hen it !as put to m e e" but I

preten#e# I coul# an# then !e came back to the hotel to an earl #inner. All the time!e !ere out" the t!o $entlemen smoke# incessantl !hich" I thou$ht" if I mi$ht

-u#$e from the smell of their rou$h coats" the must ha'e been #oin$" e'er since thecoats ha# first come home from the tailor)s. I must not for$et that !e !ent on boar#the acht" !here the all three #escen#e# into the cabin" an# !ere bus !ith some

papers. I sa! them *uite har# at !ork" !hen I looke# #o!n throu$h the open sk li$ht.%he left me" #urin$ this time" !ith a 'er nice man !ith a 'er lar$e hea# of re# hair

an# a 'er small shin hat upon it" !ho ha# $ot a cross barre# shirt or !aistcoat on"!ith )0k lark) in capital letters across the chest. I thou$ht it !as his name+ an# that ashe li'e# on boar# ship an# ha#n)t a street #oor to put his name on" he put it thereinstea#+ but !hen I calle# him 2r. 0k lark" he sai# it meant the 'essel.

I obser'e# all #a that 2r. 2ur#stone !as $ra'er an# stea#ier than the t!o $entlemen.%he !ere 'er $a an# careless. %he -oke# freel !ith one another" but sel#om !ithhim. It appeare# to me that he !as more cle'er an# col# than the !ere" an# that there$ar#e# him !ith somethin$ of m o!n feelin$. I remarke# that" once or t!ice !hen2r. :uinion !as talkin$" he looke# at 2r. 2ur#stone si#e!a s" as if to make sure ofhis not bein$ #isplease#+ an# that once !hen 2r. Passni#$e &the other $entleman( !as

in hi$h spirits" he tro# upon his foot" an# $a'e him a secret caution !ith his e es" toobser'e 2r. 2ur#stone" !ho !as sittin$ stern an# silent. 1or #o I recollect that 2r.2ur#stone lau$he# at all that #a " e/cept at the 0heffiel# -oke an# that" b the b "!as his o!n.

We !ent home earl in the e'enin$. It !as a 'er fine e'enin$" an# m mother an# heha# another stroll b the s!eetbriar" !hile I !as sent in to $et m tea. When he !as$one" m mother aske# me all about the #a I ha# ha#" an# !hat the ha# sai# an##one. I mentione# !hat the ha# sai# about her" an# she lau$he#" an# tol# me the!ere impu#ent fello!s !ho talke# nonsense but I kne! it please# her. I kne! it *uiteas !ell as I kno! it no!. I took the opportunit of askin$ if she !as at all ac*uainte#!ith 2r. ,rooks of 0heffiel#" but she ans!ere# 1o" onl she suppose# he must be amanufacturer in the knife an# fork !a .

Can I sa of her face altere# as I ha'e reason to remember it" perishe# as I kno! it is that it is $one" !hen here it comes before me at this instant" as #istinct as an facethat I ma choose to look on in a cro!#e# street5 Can I sa of her innocent an# $irlish

beaut " that it fa#e#" an# !as no more" !hen its breath falls on m cheek no!" as itfell that ni$ht5 Can I sa she e'er chan$e#" !hen m remembrance brin$s her back to


21/722

life" thus onl + an#" truer to its lo'in$ outh than I ha'e been" or man e'er is" stillhol#s fast !hat it cherishe# then5

I !rite of her -ust as she !as !hen I ha# $one to be# after this talk" an# she came to bi# me $oo# ni$ht. 0he kneele# #o!n pla full b the si#e of the be#" an# la in$ her

chin upon her han#s" an# lau$hin$" sai#8

)What !as it the sai#" Da' 5 %ell me a$ain. I can)t belie'e it.)

)


22/722

)2aster Da' " ho! shoul# ou like to $o alon$ !ith me an# spen# a fortni$ht at m brother)s at 4armouth5 Woul#n)t that be a treat5)

)Is our brother an a$reeable man" Pe$$ott 5) I in*uire#" pro'isionall .

)Oh" !hat an a$reeable man he is6) crie# Pe$$ott " hol#in$ up her han#s. )%hen there)sthe sea+ an# the boats an# ships+ an# the fishermen+ an# the beach+ an# Am to pla!ith )

Pe$$ott meant her nephe! 3am" mentione# in m first chapter+ but she spoke of himas a morsel of En$lish 9rammar.

I !as flushe# b her summar of #eli$hts" an# replie# that it !oul# in#ee# be a treat" but !hat !oul# m mother sa 5

)Wh then I)ll as $oo# as bet a $uinea") sai# Pe$$ott " intent upon m face" )that she)ll

let us $o. I)ll ask her" if ou like" as soon as e'er she comes home. %here no!6)

),ut !hat)s she to #o !hile !e)re a!a 5) sai# I" puttin$ m small elbo!s on the tableto ar$ue the point. )0he can)t li'e b herself.)

If Pe$$ott !ere lookin$ for a hole" all of a su##en" in the heel of that stockin$" it mustha'e been a 'er little one in#ee#" an# not !orth #arnin$.

)I sa 6 Pe$$ott 6 0he can)t li'e b herself" ou kno!.)

)Oh" bless ou6) sai# Pe$$ott " lookin$ at me a$ain at last. )Don)t ou kno!5 0he)s

$oin$ to sta for a fortni$ht !ith 2rs. 9ra per. 2rs. 9ra per)s $oin$ to ha'e a lot ofcompan .)

Oh6 If that !as it" I !as *uite rea# to $o. I !aite#" in the utmost impatience" until mmother came home from 2rs. 9ra per)s &for it !as that i#entical nei$hbour(" toascertain if !e coul# $et lea'e to carr out this $reat i#ea. Without bein$ nearl somuch surprise# as I ha# e/pecte#" m mother entere# into it rea#il + an# it !as allarran$e# that ni$ht" an# m boar# an# lo#$in$ #urin$ the 'isit !ere to be pai# for.

%he #a soon came for our $oin$. It !as such an earl #a that it came soon" e'en tome" !ho !as in a fe'er of e/pectation" an# half afrai# that an earth*uake or a fier

mountain" or some other $reat con'ulsion of nature" mi$ht interpose to stop thee/pe#ition. We !ere to $o in a carrier)s cart" !hich #eparte# in the mornin$ after breakfast. I !oul# ha'e $i'en an mone to ha'e been allo!e# to !rap m self upo'er ni$ht" an# sleep in m hat an# boots.

It touches me nearl no!" althou$h I tell it li$htl " to recollect ho! ea$er I !as tolea'e m happ home+ to think ho! little I suspecte# !hat I #i# lea'e for e'er.


23/722


24/722

an# also that if the lan# ha# been a little more separate# from the sea" an# the to!nan# the ti#e ha# not been *uite so much mi/e# up" like toast an# !ater" it !oul# ha'e

been nicer. ,ut Pe$$ott sai#" !ith $reater emphasis than usual" that !e must takethin$s as !e foun# them" an# that" for her part" she !as prou# to call herself a4armouth ,loater.

When !e $ot into the street &!hich !as stran$e enou$h to me( an# smelt the fish" an# pitch" an# oakum" an# tar" an# sa! the sailors !alkin$ about" an# the carts -in$lin$ upan# #o!n o'er the stones" I felt that I ha# #one so bus a place an in-ustice+ an# sai#as much to Pe$$ott " !ho hear# m e/pressions of #eli$ht !ith $reat complacenc "an# tol# me it !as !ell kno!n &I suppose to those !ho ha# the $oo# fortune to be

born ,loaters( that 4armouth !as" upon the !hole" the finest place in the uni'erse.

)3ere)s m Am6) screame# Pe$$ott " )$ro!e# out of kno!le#$e6)

3e !as !aitin$ for us" in fact" at the public house+ an# aske# me ho! I foun# m self"

like an ol# ac*uaintance. I #i# not feel" at first" that I kne! him as !ell as he kne! me" because he ha# ne'er come to our house since the ni$ht I !as born" an# naturall heha# the a#'anta$e of me. ,ut our intimac !as much a#'ance# b his takin$ me onhis back to carr me home. 3e !as" no!" a hu$e" stron$ fello! of si/ feet hi$h" broa#in proportion" an# roun# shoul#ere#+ but !ith a simperin$ bo )s face an# curl li$hthair that $a'e him *uite a sheepish look. 3e !as #resse# in a can'as -acket" an# a pairof such 'er stiff trousers that the !oul# ha'e stoo# *uite as !ell alone" !ithout anle$s in them. An# ou coul#n)t so properl ha'e sai# he !ore a hat" as that he !asco'ere# in a top" like an ol# buil#in$" !ith somethin$ pitch .

3am carr in$ me on his back an# a small bo/ of ours un#er his arm" an# Pe$$ott

carr in$ another small bo/ of ours" !e turne# #o!n lanes bestre!n !ith bits of chipsan# little hillocks of san#" an# !ent past $as !orks" rope !alks" boat buil#ers) ar#s"ship!ri$hts) ar#s" ship breakers) ar#s" caulkers) ar#s" ri$$ers) lofts" smiths) for$es"an# a $reat litter of such places" until !e came out upon the #ull !aste I ha# alrea#seen at a #istance+ !hen 3am sai#"

)4on)s our house" 2as)r Da' 6)

I looke# in all #irections" as far as I coul# stare o'er the !il#erness" an# a!a at thesea" an# a!a at the ri'er" but no house coul# I make out. %here !as a black bar$e" orsome other kin# of superannuate# boat" not far off" hi$h an# #r on the $roun#" !ith

an iron funnel stickin$ out of it for a chimne an# smokin$ 'er cosil + but nothin$else in the !a of a habitation that !as 'isible to me.

)%hat)s not it5) sai# I. )%hat ship lookin$ thin$5)

)%hat)s it" 2as)r Da' ") returne# 3am.


25/722

If it ha# been Ala##in)s palace" roc)s e$$ an# all" I suppose I coul# not ha'e been morecharme# !ith the romantic i#ea of li'in$ in it. %here !as a #eli$htful #oor cut in thesi#e" an# it !as roofe# in" an# there !ere little !in#o!s in it+ but the !on#erful charmof it !as" that it !as a real boat !hich ha# no #oubt been upon the !ater hun#re#s oftimes" an# !hich ha# ne'er been inten#e# to be li'e# in" on #r lan#. %hat !as the

capti'ation of it to me. If it ha# e'er been meant to be li'e# in" I mi$ht ha'e thou$ht itsmall" or incon'enient" or lonel + but ne'er ha'in$ been #esi$ne# for an such use" it became a perfect abo#e.

It !as beautifull clean insi#e" an# as ti# as possible. %here !as a table" an# a Dutchclock" an# a chest of #ra!ers" an# on the chest of #ra!ers there !as a tea tra !ith a

paintin$ on it of a la# !ith a parasol" takin$ a !alk !ith a militar lookin$ chil# !ho!as trun#lin$ a hoop. %he tra !as kept from tumblin$ #o!n" b a bible+ an# the tra "if it ha# tumble# #o!n" !oul# ha'e smashe# a *uantit of cups an# saucers an# ateapot that !ere $roupe# aroun# the book. On the !alls there !ere some commoncoloure# pictures" frame# an# $la7e#" of scripture sub-ects+ such as I ha'e ne'er seen

since in the han#s of pe#lars" !ithout seein$ the !hole interior of Pe$$ott )s brother)shouse a$ain" at one 'ie!. Abraham in re# $oin$ to sacrifice Isaac in blue" an# Danielin ello! cast into a #en of $reen lions" !ere the most prominent of these. O'er thelittle mantelshelf" !as a picture of the )0arah =ane) lu$$er" built at 0un#erlan#" !ith areal little !oo#en stern stuck on to it+ a !ork of art" combinin$ composition !ithcarpentr " !hich I consi#ere# to be one of the most en'iable possessions that the!orl# coul# affor#. %here !ere some hooks in the beams of the ceilin$" the use of!hich I #i# not #i'ine then+ an# some lockers an# bo/es an# con'eniences of that sort"!hich ser'e# for seats an# eke# out the chairs.

All this I sa! in the first $lance after I crosse# the threshol# chil# like" accor#in$ to

m theor an# then Pe$$ott opene# a little #oor an# sho!e# me m be#room. It!as the completest an# most #esirable be#room e'er seen in the stern of the 'essel+!ith a little !in#o!" !here the ru##er use# to $o throu$h+ a little lookin$ $lass" -ustthe ri$ht hei$ht for me" naile# a$ainst the !all" an# frame# !ith o ster shells+ a little

be#" !hich there !as -ust room enou$h to $et into+ an# a nose$a of sea!ee# in a bluemu$ on the table. %he !alls !ere !hite!ashe# as !hite as milk" an# the patch!orkcounterpane ma#e m e es *uite ache !ith its bri$htness. One thin$ I particularlnotice# in this #eli$htful house" !as the smell of fish+ !hich !as so searchin$" that!hen I took out m pocket han#kerchief to !ipe m nose" I foun# it smelt e/actl asif it ha# !rappe# up a lobster. On m impartin$ this #isco'er in confi#ence toPe$$ott " she informe# me that her brother #ealt in lobsters" crabs" an# cra!fish+ an# Iafter!ar#s foun# that a heap of these creatures" in a state of !on#erful con$lomeration!ith one another" an# ne'er lea'in$ off pinchin$ !hate'er the lai# hol# of" !ereusuall to be foun# in a little !oo#en outhouse !here the pots an# kettles !ere kept.

We !ere !elcome# b a 'er ci'il !oman in a !hite apron" !hom I ha# seencurtse in$ at the #oor !hen I !as on 3am)s back" about a *uarter of a mile off.Like!ise b a most beautiful little $irl &or I thou$ht her so( !ith a necklace of blue

bea#s on" !ho !oul#n)t let me kiss her !hen I offere# to" but ran a!a an# hi# herself.


26/722

, an# b " !hen !e ha# #ine# in a sumptuous manner off boile# #abs" melte# butter"an# potatoes" !ith a chop for me" a hair man !ith a 'er $oo# nature# face camehome. As he calle# Pe$$ott )Lass)" an# $a'e her a heart smack on the cheek" I ha#no #oubt" from the $eneral propriet of her con#uct" that he !as her brother+ an# so heturne# out bein$ presentl intro#uce# to me as 2r. Pe$$ott " the master of the house.

)9la# to see ou" sir") sai# 2r. Pe$$ott . )4ou)ll fin# us rou$h" sir" but ou)ll fin# usrea# .)

I thanke# him" an# replie# that I !as sure I shoul# be happ in such a #eli$htful place.

)3o!)s our 2a" sir5) sai# 2r. Pe$$ott . )Di# ou lea'e her prett -oll 5)

I $a'e 2r. Pe$$ott to un#erstan# that she !as as -oll as I coul# !ish" an# that she#esire# her compliments !hich !as a polite fiction on m part.

)I)m much oblee$e# to her" I)m sure") sai# 2r. Pe$$ott . )Well" sir" if ou can make outhere" fur a fortnut" )lon$ !i) her") no##in$ at his sister" )an# 3am" an# little Em)l " !eshall be prou# of our compan .)

3a'in$ #one the honours of his house in this hospitable manner" 2r. Pe$$ott !entout to !ash himself in a kettleful of hot !ater" remarkin$ that )col# !oul# ne'er $ethis muck off). 3e soon returne#" $reatl impro'e# in appearance+ but so rubicun#" thatI coul#n)t help thinkin$ his face ha# this in common !ith the lobsters" crabs" an#cra!fish" that it !ent into the hot !ater 'er black" an# came out 'er re#.

After tea" !hen the #oor !as shut an# all !as ma#e snu$ &the ni$hts bein$ col# an#

mist no!(" it seeme# to me the most #elicious retreat that the ima$ination of mancoul# concei'e. %o hear the !in# $ettin$ up out at sea" to kno! that the fo$ !ascreepin$ o'er the #esolate flat outsi#e" an# to look at the fire" an# think that there !asno house near but this one" an# this one a boat" !as like enchantment. Little Em)l ha#o'ercome her sh ness" an# !as sittin$ b m si#e upon the lo!est an# least of thelockers" !hich !as -ust lar$e enou$h for us t!o" an# -ust fitte# into the chimnecorner. 2rs. Pe$$ott !ith the !hite apron" !as knittin$ on the opposite si#e of thefire. Pe$$ott at her nee#le!ork !as as much at home !ith 0t. Paul)s an# the bit of!a/ can#le" as if the ha# ne'er kno!n an other roof. 3am" !ho ha# been $i'in$ mem first lesson in all fours" !as tr in$ to recollect a scheme of tellin$ fortunes !iththe #irt car#s" an# !as printin$ off fish impressions of his thumb on all the car#s he

turne#. 2r. Pe$$ott !as smokin$ his pipe. I felt it !as a time for con'ersation an#confi#ence.

)2r. Pe$$ott 6) sa s I.

)0ir") sa s he.

)Di# ou $i'e our son the name of 3am" because ou li'e# in a sort of ark5)


27/722

2r. Pe$$ott seeme# to think it a #eep i#ea" but ans!ere#8

)1o" sir. I ne'er $i' him no name.)

)Who $a'e him that name" then5) sai# I" puttin$ *uestion number t!o of the catechism

to 2r. Pe$$ott .

)Wh " sir" his father $i' it him") sai# 2r. Pe$$ott .

)I thou$ht ou !ere his father6)

)2 brother =oe !as his father") sai# 2r. Pe$$ott .

)Dea#" 2r. Pe$$ott 5) I hinte#" after a respectful pause.

)Dro!n#ea#") sai# 2r. Pe$$ott .

I !as 'er much surprise# that 2r. Pe$$ott !as not 3am)s father" an# be$an to!on#er !hether I !as mistaken about his relationship to an bo# else there. I !as socurious to kno!" that I ma#e up m min# to ha'e it out !ith 2r. Pe$$ott .

)Little Em)l ") I sai#" $lancin$ at her. )0he is our #au$hter" isn)t she" 2r. Pe$$ott 5)

)1o" sir. 2 brother in la!" %om" !as her father.)

I coul#n)t help it. ) Dea#" 2r. Pe$$ott 5) I hinte#" after another respectful silence.

)Dro!n#ea#") sai# 2r. Pe$$ott .

I felt the #ifficult of resumin$ the sub-ect" but ha# not $ot to the bottom of it et" an#must $et to the bottom someho!. 0o I sai#8

)3a'en)t ou A14 chil#ren" 2r. Pe$$ott 5)

)1o" master") he ans!ere# !ith a short lau$h. )I)m a bachel#ore.)

)A bachelor6) I sai#" astonishe#. )Wh " !ho)s that" 2r. Pe$$ott 5) pointin$ to the person in the apron !ho !as knittin$.

)%hat)s 2issis 9ummi#$e") sai# 2r. Pe$$ott .

)9ummi#$e" 2r. Pe$$ott 5)

,ut at this point Pe$$ott I mean m o!n peculiar Pe$$ott ma#e such impressi'emotions to me not to ask an more *uestions" that I coul# onl sit an# look at all thesilent compan " until it !as time to $o to be#. %hen" in the pri'ac of m o!n little


28/722

cabin" she informe# me that 3am an# Em)l !ere an orphan nephe! an# niece" !homm host ha# at #ifferent times a#opte# in their chil#hoo#" !hen the !ere left#estitute8 an# that 2rs. 9ummi#$e !as the !i#o! of his partner in a boat" !ho ha##ie# 'er poor. 3e !as but a poor man himself" sai# Pe$$ott " but as $oo# as $ol# an#as true as steel those !ere her similes. %he onl sub-ect" she informe# me" on !hich

he e'er sho!e# a 'iolent temper or s!ore an oath" !as this $enerosit of his+ an# if it!ere e'er referre# to" b an one of them" he struck the table a hea' blo! !ith hisri$ht han# &ha# split it on one such occasion(" an# s!ore a #rea#ful oath that he !oul#

be )9orme#) if he #i#n)t cut an# run for $oo#" if it !as e'er mentione# a$ain. Itappeare#" in ans!er to m in*uiries" that nobo# ha# the least i#ea of the et molo$of this terrible 'erb passi'e to be $orme#+ but that the all re$ar#e# it as constitutin$ amost solemn imprecation.

I !as 'er sensible of m entertainer)s $oo#ness" an# listene# to the !omen)s $oin$ to be# in another little crib like mine at the opposite en# of the boat" an# to him an# 3amhan$in$ up t!o hammocks for themsel'es on the hooks I ha# notice# in the roof" in a

'er lu/urious state of min#" enhance# b m bein$ sleep . As slumber $ra#uallstole upon me" I hear# the !in# ho!lin$ out at sea an# comin$ on across the flat sofiercel " that I ha# a la7 apprehension of the $reat #eep risin$ in the ni$ht. ,ut I

bethou$ht m self that I !as in a boat" after all+ an# that a man like 2r. Pe$$ott !asnot a ba# person to ha'e on boar# if an thin$ #i# happen.

1othin$ happene#" ho!e'er" !orse than mornin$. Almost as soon as it shone upon theo ster shell frame of m mirror I !as out of be#" an# out !ith little Em)l " pickin$ upstones upon the beach.

)4ou)re *uite a sailor" I suppose5) I sai# to Em)l . I #on)t kno! that I suppose#

an thin$ of the kin#" but I felt it an act of $allantr to sa somethin$+ an# a shinin$sail close to us ma#e such a prett little ima$e of itself" at the moment" in her bri$hte e" that it came into m hea# to sa this.

)1o") replie# Em)l " shakin$ her hea#" )I)m afrai# of the sea.)

)Afrai#6) I sai#" !ith a becomin$ air of bol#ness" an# lookin$ 'er bi$ at the mi$htocean. )I an)t6)

)Ah6 but it)s cruel") sai# Em)l . )I ha'e seen it 'er cruel to some of our men. I ha'eseen it tear a boat as bi$ as our house" all to pieces.)

)I hope it !asn)t the boat that )

)%hat father !as #ro!n#e# in5) sai# Em)l . )1o. 1ot that one" I ne'er see that boat.)

)1or him5) I aske# her.

Little Em)l shook her hea#. )1ot to remember6)


29/722

3ere !as a coinci#ence6 I imme#iatel !ent into an e/planation ho! I ha# ne'er seenm o!n father+ an# ho! m mother an# I ha# al!a s li'e# b oursel'es in thehappiest state ima$inable" an# li'e# so then" an# al!a s meant to li'e so+ an# ho! mfather)s $ra'e !as in the church ar# near our house" an# sha#e# b a tree" beneath the

bou$hs of !hich I ha# !alke# an# hear# the bir#s sin$ man a pleasant mornin$. ,ut

there !ere some #ifferences bet!een Em)l )s orphanhoo# an# mine" it appeare#. 0heha# lost her mother before her father+ an# !here her father)s $ra'e !as no one kne!"e/cept that it !as some!here in the #epths of the sea.

),esi#es") sai# Em)l " as she looke# about for shells an# pebbles" ) our father !as a$entleman an# our mother is a la# + an# m father !as a fisherman an# m mother!as a fisherman)s #au$hter" an# m uncle Dan is a fisherman.)

)Dan is 2r. Pe$$ott " is he5) sai# I.

);ncle Dan on#er") ans!ere# Em)l " no##in$ at the boat house.

)4es. I mean him. 3e must be 'er $oo#" I shoul# think5)

)9oo#5) sai# Em)l . )If I !as e'er to be a la# " I)# $i'e him a sk blue coat !ith#iamon# buttons" nankeen trousers" a re# 'el'et !aistcoat" a cocke# hat" a lar$e $ol#!atch" a sil'er pipe" an# a bo/ of mone .)

I sai# I ha# no #oubt that 2r. Pe$$ott !ell #eser'e# these treasures. I mustackno!le#$e that I felt it #ifficult to picture him *uite at his ease in the raiment

propose# for him b his $rateful little niece" an# that I !as particularl #oubtful of the polic of the cocke# hat+ but I kept these sentiments to m self.

Little Em)l ha# stoppe# an# looke# up at the sk in her enumeration of these articles"as if the !ere a $lorious 'ision. We !ent on a$ain" pickin$ up shells an# pebbles.

)4ou !oul# like to be a la# 5) I sai#.

Emil looke# at me" an# lau$he# an# no##e# ) es).

)I shoul# like it 'er much. We !oul# all be $entlefolks to$ether" then. 2e" an# uncle"an# 3am" an# 2rs. 9ummi#$e. We !oul#n)t min# then" !hen there comes storm!eather. 1ot for our o!n sakes" I mean. We !oul# for the poor fishermen)s" to be

sure" an# !e)# help )em !ith mone !hen the come to an hurt.) %his seeme# to meto be a 'er satisfactor an# therefore not at all improbable picture. I e/presse# m pleasure in the contemplation of it" an# little Em)l !as embol#ene# to sa " sh l "

)Don)t ou think ou are afrai# of the sea" no!5)

It !as *uiet enou$h to reassure me" but I ha'e no #oubt if I ha# seen a mo#eratellar$e !a'e come tumblin$ in" I shoul# ha'e taken to m heels" !ith an a!ful


30/722

recollection of her #ro!ne# relations. 3o!e'er" I sai# )1o") an# I a##e#" )4ou #on)tseem to be either" thou$h ou sa ou are") for she !as !alkin$ much too near the

brink of a sort of ol# -ett or !oo#en cause!a !e ha# strolle# upon" an# I !as afrai#of her fallin$ o'er.

)I)m not afrai# in this !a ") sai# little Em)l . ),ut I !ake !hen it blo!s" an# tremble tothink of ;ncle Dan an# 3am an# belie'e I hear )em cr in$ out for help. %hat)s !h Ishoul# like so much to be a la# . ,ut I)m not afrai# in this !a . 1ot a bit. Look here6)

0he starte# from m si#e" an# ran alon$ a -a$$e# timber !hich protru#e# from the place !e stoo# upon" an# o'erhun$ the #eep !ater at some hei$ht" !ithout the least#efence. %he inci#ent is so impresse# on m remembrance" that if I !ere a#rau$htsman I coul# #ra! its form here" I #are sa " accuratel as it !as that #a " an#little Em)l sprin$in$ for!ar# to her #estruction &as it appeare# to me(" !ith a look thatI ha'e ne'er for$otten" #irecte# far out to sea.

%he li$ht" bol#" flutterin$ little fi$ure turne# an# came back safe to me" an# I soonlau$he# at m fears" an# at the cr I ha# uttere#+ fruitlessl in an case" for there !asno one near. ,ut there ha'e been times since" in m manhoo#" man times there ha'e

been" !hen I ha'e thou$ht" Is it possible" amon$ the possibilities of hi##en thin$s" thatin the su##en rashness of the chil# an# her !il# look so far off" there !as an mercifulattraction of her into #an$er" an temptin$ her to!ar#s him permitte# on the part ofher #ea# father" that her life mi$ht ha'e a chance of en#in$ that #a 5 %here has been atime since !hen I ha'e !on#ere# !hether" if the life before her coul# ha'e beenre'eale# to me at a $lance" an# so re'eale# as that a chil# coul# full comprehen# it"an# if her preser'ation coul# ha'e #epen#e# on a motion of m han#" I ou$ht to ha'ehel# it up to sa'e her. %here has been a time since I #o not sa it laste# lon$" but it

has been !hen I ha'e aske# m self the *uestion" !oul# it ha'e been better for littleEm)l to ha'e ha# the !aters close abo'e her hea# that mornin$ in m si$ht+ an# !henI ha'e ans!ere# 4es" it !oul# ha'e been.

%his ma be premature. I ha'e set it #o!n too soon" perhaps. ,ut let it stan#.

We strolle# a lon$ !a " an# loa#e# oursel'es !ith thin$s that !e thou$ht curious" an# put some stran#e# starfish carefull back into the !ater I har#l kno! enou$h of therace at this moment to be *uite certain !hether the ha# reason to feel obli$e# to usfor #oin$ so" or the re'erse an# then ma#e our !a home to 2r. Pe$$ott )s #!ellin$.We stoppe# un#er the lee of the lobster outhouse to e/chan$e an innocent kiss" an#!ent in to breakfast $lo!in$ !ith health an# pleasure.

)Like t!o oun$ ma'ishes") 2r. Pe$$ott sai#. I kne! this meant" in our local #ialect"like t!o oun$ thrushes" an# recei'e# it as a compliment.

Of course I !as in lo'e !ith little Em)l . I am sure I lo'e# that bab *uite as trul "*uite as ten#erl " !ith $reater purit an# more #isintereste#ness" than can enter intothe best lo'e of a later time of life" hi$h an# ennoblin$ as it is. I am sure m fanc


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raise# up somethin$ roun# that blue e e# mite of a chil#" !hich ethereali7e#" an#ma#e a 'er an$el of her. If" an sunn forenoon" she ha# sprea# a little pair of !in$san# flo!n a!a before m e es" I #on)t think I shoul# ha'e re$ar#e# it as much morethan I ha# ha# reason to e/pect.

We use# to !alk about that #im ol# flat at 4armouth in a lo'in$ manner" hours an#hours. %he #a s sporte# b us" as if %ime ha# not $ro!n up himself et" but !ere achil# too" an# al!a s at pla . I tol# Em)l I a#ore# her" an# that unless she confesse#she a#ore# me I shoul# be re#uce# to the necessit of killin$ m self !ith a s!or#. 0hesai# she #i#" an# I ha'e no #oubt she #i#.

As to an sense of ine*ualit " or outhfulness" or other #ifficult in our !a " littleEm)l an# I ha# no such trouble" because !e ha# no future. We ma#e no more

pro'ision for $ro!in$ ol#er" than !e #i# for $ro!in$ oun$er. We !ere thea#miration of 2rs. 9ummi#$e an# Pe$$ott " !ho use# to !hisper of an e'enin$ !hen!e sat" lo'in$l " on our little locker si#e b si#e" )Lor6 !asn)t it beautiful6) 2r.

Pe$$ott smile# at us from behin# his pipe" an# 3am $rinne# all the e'enin$ an# #i#nothin$ else. %he ha# somethin$ of the sort of pleasure in us" I suppose" that themi$ht ha'e ha# in a prett to " or a pocket mo#el of the Colosseum.

I soon foun# out that 2rs. 9ummi#$e #i# not al!a s make herself so a$reeable as shemi$ht ha'e been e/pecte# to #o" un#er the circumstances of her resi#ence !ith 2r.Pe$$ott . 2rs. 9ummi#$e)s !as rather a fretful #isposition" an# she !himpere# moresometimes than !as comfortable for other parties in so small an establishment. I !as'er sorr for her+ but there !ere moments !hen it !oul# ha'e been more a$reeable" Ithou$ht" if 2rs. 9ummi#$e ha# ha# a con'enient apartment of her o!n to retire to"an# ha# stoppe# there until her spirits re'i'e#.

2r. Pe$$ott !ent occasionall to a public house calle# %he Willin$ 2in#. I#isco'ere# this" b his bein$ out on the secon# or thir# e'enin$ of our 'isit" an# b2rs. 9ummi#$e)s lookin$ up at the Dutch clock" bet!een ei$ht an# nine" an# sa in$he !as there" an# that" !hat !as more" she ha# kno!n in the mornin$ he !oul# $othere.

2rs. 9ummi#$e ha# been in a lo! state all #a " an# ha# burst into tears in theforenoon" !hen the fire smoke#. )I am a lone lorn creetur)") !ere 2rs. 9ummi#$e)s!or#s" !hen that unpleasant occurrence took place" )an# e'er think $oes contrar !ithme.)

)Oh" it)ll soon lea'e off") sai# Pe$$ott I a$ain mean our Pe$$ott )an# besi#es" oukno!" it)s not more #isa$reeable to ou than to us.)

)I feel it more") sai# 2rs. 9ummi#$e.

It !as a 'er col# #a " !ith cuttin$ blasts of !in#. 2rs. 9ummi#$e)s peculiar cornerof the firesi#e seeme# to me to be the !armest an# snu$$est in the place" as her chair


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!as certainl the easiest" but it #i#n)t suit her that #a at all. 0he !as constantlcomplainin$ of the col#" an# of its occasionin$ a 'isitation in her back !hich shecalle# )the creeps). At last she she# tears on that sub-ect" an# sai# a$ain that she !as )alone lorn creetur) an# e'er think !ent contrar !ith her).

)It is certainl 'er col#") sai# Pe$$ott . )E'er bo# must feel it so.)

)I feel it more than other people") sai# 2rs. 9ummi#$e.

0o at #inner+ !hen 2rs. 9ummi#$e !as al!a s helpe# imme#iatel after me" to!hom the preference !as $i'en as a 'isitor of #istinction. %he fish !ere small an#

bon " an# the potatoes !ere a little burnt. We all ackno!le#$e# that !e felt thissomethin$ of a #isappointment+ but 2rs. 9ummi#$e sai# she felt it more than !e #i#"an# she# tears a$ain" an# ma#e that former #eclaration !ith $reat bitterness.

Accor#in$l " !hen 2r. Pe$$ott came home about nine o)clock" this unfortunate 2rs.

9ummi#$e !as knittin$ in her corner" in a 'er !retche# an# miserable con#ition.Pe$$ott ha# been !orkin$ cheerfull . 3am ha# been patchin$ up a $reat pair of!aterboots+ an# I" !ith little Em)l b m si#e" ha# been rea#in$ to them. 2rs.9ummi#$e ha# ne'er ma#e an other remark than a forlorn si$h" an# ha# ne'er raise#her e es since tea.

)Well" 2ates") sai# 2r. Pe$$ott " takin$ his seat" )an# ho! are ou5)

We all sai# somethin$" or looke# somethin$" to !elcome him" e/cept 2rs. 9ummi#$e"!ho onl shook her hea# o'er her knittin$.

)What)s amiss5) sai# 2r. Pe$$ott " !ith a clap of his han#s. )Cheer up" ol# 2a!ther6)&2r. Pe$$ott meant ol# $irl.(

2rs. 9ummi#$e #i# not appear to be able to cheer up. 0he took out an ol# black silkhan#kerchief an# !ipe# her e es+ but instea# of puttin$ it in her pocket" kept it out"an# !ipe# them a$ain" an# still kept it out" rea# for use.

)What)s amiss" #ame5) sai# 2r. Pe$$ott .

)1othin$") returne# 2rs. 9ummi#$e. )4ou)'e come from %he Willin$ 2in#" Dan)l5)

)Wh es" I)'e took a short spell at %he Willin$ 2in# toni$ht") sai# 2r. Pe$$ott .

)I)m sorr I shoul# #ri'e ou there") sai# 2rs. 9ummi#$e.

)Dri'e6 I #on)t !ant no #ri'in$") returne# 2r. Pe$$ott !ith an honest lau$h. )I onl $otoo rea# .)


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0o the fortni$ht slippe# a!a " 'arie# b nothin$ but the 'ariation of the ti#e" !hichaltere# 2r. Pe$$ott )s times of $oin$ out an# comin$ in" an# altere# 3am)sen$a$ements also. When the latter !as unemplo e#" he sometimes !alke# !ith us tosho! us the boats an# ships" an# once or t!ice he took us for a ro!. I #on)t kno! !hone sli$ht set of impressions shoul# be more particularl associate# !ith a place than

another" thou$h I belie'e this obtains !ith most people" in reference especiall to theassociations of their chil#hoo#. I ne'er hear the name" or rea# the name" of 4armouth" but I am remin#e# of a certain 0un#a mornin$ on the beach" the bells rin$in$ forchurch" little Em)l leanin$ on m shoul#er" 3am la7il #roppin$ stones into the!ater" an# the sun" a!a at sea" -ust breakin$ throu$h the hea' mist" an# sho!in$ usthe ships" like their o!n sha#o!s.

At last the #a came for $oin$ home. I bore up a$ainst the separation from 2r.Pe$$ott an# 2rs. 9ummi#$e" but m a$on of min# at lea'in$ little Em)l !as

piercin$. We !ent arm in arm to the public house !here the carrier put up" an# I promise#" on the roa#" to !rite to her. &I re#eeme# that promise after!ar#s" in

characters lar$er than those in !hich apartments are usuall announce# in manuscript"as bein$ to let.( We !ere $reatl o'ercome at partin$+ an# if e'er" in m life" I ha'eha# a 'oi# ma#e in m heart" I ha# one ma#e that #a .

1o!" all the time I ha# been on m 'isit" I ha# been un$rateful to m home a$ain" an#ha# thou$ht little or nothin$ about it. ,ut I !as no sooner turne# to!ar#s it" than mreproachful oun$ conscience seeme# to point that !a !ith a rea# fin$er+ an# I felt"all the more for the sinkin$ of m spirits" that it !as m nest" an# that m mother !asm comforter an# frien#.

%his $aine# upon me as !e !ent alon$+ so that the nearer !e #re!" the more familiar

the ob-ects became that !e passe#" the more e/cite# I !as to $et there" an# to run intoher arms. ,ut Pe$$ott " instea# of sharin$ in those transports" trie# to check them&thou$h 'er kin#l (" an# looke# confuse# an# out of sorts.

,lun#erstone Rooker !oul# come" ho!e'er" in spite of her" !hen the carrier)s horse please# an# #i#. 3o! !ell I recollect it" on a col# $re afternoon" !ith a #ull sk "threatenin$ rain6

%he #oor opene#" an# I looke#" half lau$hin$ an# half cr in$ in m pleasant a$itation"for m mother. It !as not she" but a stran$e ser'ant.

)Wh " Pe$$ott 6) I sai#" ruefull " )isn)t she come home5))4es" es" 2aster Da' ") sai# Pe$$ott . )0he)s come home. Wait a bit" 2aster Da' "an# I)ll I)ll tell ou somethin$.)

,et!een her a$itation" an# her natural a!k!ar#ness in $ettin$ out of the cart"Pe$$ott !as makin$ a most e/traor#inar festoon of herself" but I felt too blank an#


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)Come an# see him.)

)I #on)t !ant to see him.)

)An# our mama") sai# Pe$$ott .

I cease# to #ra! back" an# !e !ent strai$ht to the best parlour" !here she left me. Onone si#e of the fire" sat m mother+ on the other" 2r. 2ur#stone. 2 mother #roppe#her !ork" an# arose hurrie#l " but timi#l I thou$ht.

)1o!" Clara m #ear") sai# 2r. 2ur#stone. )Recollect6 control ourself" al!a s controlourself6 Da' bo " ho! #o ou #o5)

I $a'e him m han#. After a moment of suspense" I !ent an# kisse# m mother8 shekisse# me" patte# me $entl on the shoul#er" an# sat #o!n a$ain to her !ork. I coul#not look at her" I coul# not look at him" I kne! *uite !ell that he !as lookin$ at us

both+ an# I turne# to the !in#o! an# looke# out there" at some shrubs that !ere#roopin$ their hea#s in the col#.

As soon as I coul# creep a!a " I crept upstairs. 2 ol# #ear be#room !as chan$e#"an# I !as to lie a lon$ !a off. I ramble# #o!nstairs to fin# an thin$ that !as likeitself" so altere# it all seeme#+ an# roame# into the ar#. I 'er soon starte# back fromthere" for the empt #o$ kennel !as fille# up !ith a $reat #o$ #eep mouthe# an#

black haire# like 3im an# he !as 'er an$r at the si$ht of me" an# spran$ out to $etat me.

Cap IV.

If the room to !hich m be# !as remo'e# !ere a sentient thin$ that coul# $i'ee'i#ence" I mi$ht appeal to it at this #a !ho sleeps there no!" I !on#er6 to bear!itness for me !hat a hea' heart I carrie# to it. I !ent up there" hearin$ the #o$ inthe ar# bark after me all the !a !hile I climbe# the stairs+ an#" lookin$ as blank an#stran$e upon the room as the room looke# upon me" sat #o!n !ith m small han#scrosse#" an# thou$ht.

I thou$ht of the o##est thin$s. Of the shape of the room" of the cracks in the ceilin$" ofthe paper on the !alls" of the fla!s in the !in#o! $lass makin$ ripples an# #impleson the prospect" of the !ashin$ stan# bein$ ricket on its three le$s" an# ha'in$ a

#iscontente# somethin$ about it" !hich remin#e# me of 2rs. 9ummi#$e un#er theinfluence of the ol# one. I !as cr in$ all the time" but" e/cept that I !as conscious of bein$ col# an# #e-ecte#" I am sure I ne'er thou$ht !h I crie#. At last in m#esolation I be$an to consi#er that I !as #rea#full in lo'e !ith little Em)l " an# ha#

been torn a!a from her to come here !here no one seeme# to !ant me" or to careabout me" half as much as she #i#. %his ma#e such a 'er miserable piece of businessof it" that I rolle# m self up in a corner of the counterpane" an# crie# m self to sleep.


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I !as a!oke b somebo# sa in$ )3ere he is6) an# unco'erin$ m hot hea#. 2mother an# Pe$$ott ha# come to look for me" an# it !as one of them !ho ha# #oneit.

)Da' ") sai# m mother. )What)s the matter5)

I thou$ht it !as 'er stran$e that she shoul# ask me" an# ans!ere#" )1othin$.) I turne#o'er on m face" I recollect" to hi#e m tremblin$ lip" !hich ans!ere# her !ith $reatertruth. )Da' ") sai# m mother. )Da' " m chil#6)

I #are sa no !or#s she coul# ha'e uttere# !oul# ha'e affecte# me so much" then" asher callin$ me her chil#. I hi# m tears in the be#clothes" an# presse# her from me!ith m han#" !hen she !oul# ha'e raise# me up.

)%his is our #oin$" Pe$$ott " ou cruel thin$6) sai# m mother. )I ha'e no #oubt at allabout it. 3o! can ou reconcile it to our conscience" I !on#er" to pre-u#ice m o!n

bo a$ainst me" or a$ainst an bo# !ho is #ear to me5 What #o ou mean b it"Pe$$ott 5)

Poor Pe$$ott lifte# up her han#s an# e es" an# onl ans!ere#" in a sort of paraphraseof the $race I usuall repeate# after #inner" )Lor# for$i'e ou" 2rs. Copperfiel#" an#for !hat ou ha'e sai# this minute" ma ou ne'er be trul sorr 6)

)It)s enou$h to #istract me") crie# m mother. )In m hone moon" too" !hen m mostin'eterate enem mi$ht relent" one !oul# think" an# not en' me a little peace of min#an# happiness. Da' " ou nau$ht bo 6 Pe$$ott " ou sa'a$e creature6 Oh" #ear me6)crie# m mother" turnin$ from one of us to the other" in her pettish !ilful manner"

)!hat a troublesome !orl# this is" !hen one has the most ri$ht to e/pect it to be asa$reeable as possible6)

I felt the touch of a han# that I kne! !as neither hers nor Pe$$ott )s" an# slippe# tom feet at the be# si#e. It !as 2r. 2ur#stone)s han#" an# he kept it on m arm as hesai#8

)What)s this5 Clara" m lo'e" ha'e ou for$otten5 Firmness" m #ear6)

)I am 'er sorr " E#!ar#") sai# m mother. )I meant to be 'er $oo#" but I am souncomfortable.)

)In#ee#6) he ans!ere#. )%hat)s a ba# hearin$" so soon" Clara.)

)I sa it)s 'er har# I shoul# be ma#e so no!") returne# m mother" poutin$+ )an# it is 'er har# isn)t it5)

3e #re! her to him" !hispere# in her ear" an# kisse# her. I kne! as !ell" !hen I sa!m mother)s hea# lean #o!n upon his shoul#er" an# her arm touch his neck I kne! as


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!ell that he coul# moul# her pliant nature into an form he chose" as I kno!" no!" thathe #i# it.

)9o ou belo!" m lo'e") sai# 2r. 2ur#stone. )Da'i# an# I !ill come #o!n" to$ether.2 frien#") turnin$ a #arkenin$ face on Pe$$ott " !hen he ha# !atche# m mother

out" an# #ismisse# her !ith a no# an# a smile+ )#o ou kno! our mistress)s name5)

)0he has been m mistress a lon$ time" sir") ans!ere# Pe$$ott " )I ou$ht to kno! it.))%hat)s true") he ans!ere#. ),ut I thou$ht I hear# ou" as I came upstairs" a##ress her ba name that is not hers. 0he has taken mine" ou kno!. Will ou remember that5)

Pe$$ott " !ith some uneas $lances at me" curtse e# herself out of the room !ithoutrepl in$+ seein$" I suppose" that she !as e/pecte# to $o" an# ha# no e/cuse forremainin$. When !e t!o !ere left alone" he shut the #oor" an# sittin$ on a chair" an#hol#in$ me stan#in$ before him" looke# stea#il into m e es. I felt m o!n attracte#"no less stea#il " to his. As I recall our bein$ oppose# thus" face to face" I seem a$ain to

hear m heart beat fast an# hi$h.

)Da'i#") he sai#" makin$ his lips thin" b pressin$ them to$ether" )if I ha'e an obstinatehorse or #o$ to #eal !ith" !hat #o ou think I #o5)

)I #on)t kno!.)

)I beat him.)

I ha# ans!ere# in a kin# of breathless !hisper" but I felt" in m silence" that m breath!as shorter no!.

)I make him !ince" an# smart. I sa to m self"


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)Clara" m #ear") he sai#" !hen I ha# #one his bi##in$" an# he !alke# me into the parlour" !ith his han# still on m arm+ ) ou !ill not be ma#e uncomfortable an more"I hope. We shall soon impro'e our outhful humours.)

9o# help me" I mi$ht ha'e been impro'e# for m !hole life" I mi$ht ha'e been ma#e

another creature perhaps" for life" b a kin# !or# at that season. A !or# ofencoura$ement an# e/planation" of pit for m chil#ish i$norance" of !elcome home"of reassurance to me that it !as home" mi$ht ha'e ma#e me #utiful to him in m hearthenceforth" instea# of in m h pocritical outsi#e" an# mi$ht ha'e ma#e me respectinstea# of hate him. I thou$ht m mother !as sorr to see me stan#in$ in the room soscare# an# stran$e" an# that" presentl " !hen I stole to a chair" she follo!e# me !ithher e es more sorro!full still missin$" perhaps" some free#om in m chil#ish trea# but the !or# !as not spoken" an# the time for it !as $one.

We #ine# alone" !e three to$ether. 3e seeme# to be 'er fon# of m mother I amafrai# I like# him none the better for that an# she !as 'er fon# of him. I $athere#

from !hat the sai#" that an el#er sister of his !as comin$ to sta !ith them" an# thatshe !as e/pecte# that e'enin$. I am not certain !hether I foun# out then" orafter!ar#s" that" !ithout bein$ acti'el concerne# in an business" he ha# some sharein" or some annual char$e upon the profits of" a !ine merchant)s house in Lon#on"!ith !hich his famil ha# been connecte# from his $reat $ran#father)s time" an# in!hich his sister ha# a similar interest+ but I ma mention it in this place" !hether orno.

After #inner" !hen !e !ere sittin$ b the fire" an# I !as me#itatin$ an escape toPe$$ott !ithout ha'in$ the har#ihoo# to slip a!a " lest it shoul# offen# the master ofthe house" a coach #ro'e up to the $ar#en $ate an# he !ent out to recei'e the 'isitor.

2 mother follo!e# him. I !as timi#l follo!in$ her" !hen she turne# roun# at the parlour #oor" in the #usk" an# takin$ me in her embrace as she ha# been use# to #o"!hispere# me to lo'e m ne! father an# be obe#ient to him. 0he #i# this hurrie#lan# secretl " as if it !ere !ron$" but ten#erl + an#" puttin$ out her han# behin# her"hel# mine in it" until !e came near to !here he !as stan#in$ in the $ar#en" !here shelet mine $o" an# #re! hers throu$h his arm.

It !as 2iss 2ur#stone !ho !as arri'e#" an# a $loom lookin$ la# she !as+ #ark"like her brother" !hom she $reatl resemble# in face an# 'oice+ an# !ith 'er hea'e ebro!s" nearl meetin$ o'er her lar$e nose" as if" bein$ #isable# b the !ron$s ofher se/ from !earin$ !hiskers" she ha# carrie# them to that account. 0he brou$ht !ithher t!o uncompromisin$ har# black bo/es" !ith her initials on the li#s in har# brassnails. When she pai# the coachman she took her mone out of a har# steel purse" an#she kept the purse in a 'er -ail of a ba$ !hich hun$ upon her arm b a hea' chain"an# shut up like a bite. I ha# ne'er" at that time" seen such a metallic la# alto$ether as2iss 2ur#stone !as.

0he !as brou$ht into the parlour !ith man tokens of !elcome" an# there formallreco$ni7e# m mother as a ne! an# near relation. %hen she looke# at me" an# sai#8


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)Is that our bo " sister in la!5)

2 mother ackno!le#$e# me.

)9enerall speakin$") sai# 2iss 2ur#stone" )I #on)t like bo s. 3o! #) e #o" bo 5)

;n#er these encoura$in$ circumstances" I replie# that I !as 'er !ell" an# that Ihope# she !as the same+ !ith such an in#ifferent $race" that 2iss 2ur#stone #ispose#of me in t!o !or#s8

)Wants manner6)

3a'in$ uttere# !hich" !ith $reat #istinctness" she be$$e# the fa'our of bein$ sho!nto her room" !hich became to me from that time forth a place of a!e an# #rea#"!herein the t!o black bo/es !ere ne'er seen open or kno!n to be left unlocke#" an#!here &for I peepe# in once or t!ice !hen she !as out( numerous little steel fetters

an# ri'ets" !ith !hich 2iss 2ur#stone embellishe# herself !hen she !as #resse#"$enerall hun$ upon the lookin$ $lass in formi#able arra .

As !ell as I coul# make out" she ha# come for $oo#" an# ha# no intention of e'er$oin$ a$ain. 0he be$an to )help) m mother ne/t mornin$" an# !as in an# out of thestore closet all #a " puttin$ thin$s to ri$hts" an# makin$ ha'oc in the ol#arran$ements. Almost the first remarkable thin$ I obser'e# in 2iss 2ur#stone !as"her bein$ constantl haunte# b a suspicion that the ser'ants ha# a man secrete#some!here on the premises. ;n#er the influence of this #elusion" she #i'e# into thecoal cellar at the most untimel hours" an# scarcel e'er opene# the #oor of a #arkcupboar# !ithout clappin$ it to a$ain" in the belief that she ha# $ot him.

%hou$h there !as nothin$ 'er air about 2iss 2ur#stone" she !as a perfect Lark in point of $ettin$ up. 0he !as up &an#" as I belie'e to this hour" lookin$ for that man( before an bo# in the house !as stirrin$. Pe$$ott $a'e it as her opinion that she e'enslept !ith one e e open+ but I coul# not concur in this i#ea+ for I trie# it m self afterhearin$ the su$$estion thro!n out" an# foun# it coul#n)t be #one.

On the 'er first mornin$ after her arri'al she !as up an# rin$in$ her bell at cockcro!. When m mother came #o!n to breakfast an# !as $oin$ to make the tea" 2iss2ur#stone $a'e her a kin# of peck on the cheek" !hich !as her nearest approach to akiss" an# sai#8

)1o!" Clara" m #ear" I am come here" ou kno!" to relie'e ou of all the trouble Ican. 4ou)re much too prett an# thou$htless) m mother blushe# but lau$he#" an#seeme# not to #islike this character )to ha'e an #uties impose# upon ou that can beun#ertaken b me. If ou)ll be so $oo# as $i'e me our ke s" m #ear" I)ll atten# to allthis sort of thin$ in future.)


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From that time" 2iss 2ur#stone kept the ke s in her o!n little -ail all #a " an# un#erher pillo! all ni$ht" an# m mother ha# no more to #o !ith them than I ha#.

2 mother #i# not suffer her authorit to pass from her !ithout a sha#o! of protest.One ni$ht !hen 2iss 2ur#stone ha# been #e'elopin$ certain househol# plans to her

brother" of !hich he si$nifie# his approbation" m mother su##enl be$an to cr " an#sai# she thou$ht she mi$ht ha'e been consulte#.

)Clara6) sai# 2r. 2ur#stone sternl . )Clara6 I !on#er at ou.)

)Oh" it)s 'er !ell to sa ou !on#er" E#!ar#6) crie# m mother" )an# it)s 'er !ell forou to talk about firmness" but ou !oul#n)t like it ourself.)

Firmness" I ma obser'e" !as the $ran# *ualit on !hich both 2r. an# 2iss2ur#stone took their stan#. 3o!e'er I mi$ht ha'e e/presse# m comprehension of itat that time" if I ha# been calle# upon" I ne'ertheless #i# clearl comprehen# in m

o!n !a " that it !as another name for t rann + an# for a certain $loom " arro$ant"#e'il)s humour" that !as in them both. %he cree#" as I shoul# state it no!" !as this.2r. 2ur#stone !as firm+ nobo# in his !orl# !as to be so firm as 2r. 2ur#stone+nobo# else in his !orl# !as to be firm at all" for e'er bo# !as to be bent to hisfirmness. 2iss 2ur#stone !as an e/ception. 0he mi$ht be firm" but onl brelationship" an# in an inferior an# tributar #e$ree. 2 mother !as anothere/ception. 0he mi$ht be firm" an# must be+ but onl in bearin$ their firmness" an#firml belie'in$ there !as no other firmness upon earth.

)It)s 'er har#") sai# m mother" )that in m o!n house )

)2 o!n house5) repeate# 2r. 2ur#stone. )Clara6)

)O;R o!n house" I mean") faltere# m mother" e'i#entl fri$htene# )I hope ou mustkno! !hat I mean" E#!ar# it)s 'er har# that in 4O;R o!n house I ma not ha'e a!or# to sa about #omestic matters. I am sure I mana$e# 'er !ell before !e !eremarrie#. %here)s e'i#ence") sai# m mother" sobbin$+ )ask Pe$$ott if I #i#n)t #o 'er!ell !hen I !asn)t interfere# !ith6)

)E#!ar#") sai# 2iss 2ur#stone" )let there be an en# of this. I $o tomorro!.)

)=ane 2ur#stone") sai# her brother" )be silent6 3o! #are ou to insinuate that ou #on)t

kno! m character better than our !

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