English
ThepaleyounggentlemanandIstoodcontemplatingoneanotherinBarnard’sInn,untilwebothburstoutlaughing.“Theideaofitsbeingyou!”saidhe.“Theideaofitsbeingyou!”
saidI.Andthenwecontemplatedoneanotherafresh,andlaughedagain.“Well!”
saidthepaleyounggentleman,reachingouthishandgoodhumouredly,“it’sallovernow,Ihope,anditwillbemagnanimousinyouifyou’llforgivemeforhavingknockedyouaboutso.”
IderivedfromthisspeechthatMr.HerbertPocket(forHerbertwasthepaleyounggentleman’sname)stillratherconfoundedhisintentionwithhisexecution.
ButImadeamodestreply,andweshookhandswarmly.
“Youhadn’tcomeintoyourgoodfortuneatthattime?”saidHerbertPocket.
“No,”saidI.
“No,”heacquiesced:“Iheardithadhappenedverylately.Iwasratheronthelook-outforgood-fortunethen.”
“Indeed?”
“Yes.MissHavishamhadsentforme,toseeifshecouldtakeafancytome.Butshecouldn’t—atallevents,shedidn’t.”
IthoughtitpolitetoremarkthatIwassurprisedtohearthat.
“Badtaste,”saidHerbert,laughing,“butafact.
Yes,shehadsentformeonatrialvisit,andifIhadcomeoutofitsuccessfully,IsupposeIshouldhavebeenprovidedfor;perhapsIshouldhavebeenwhat-you-may-calledittoEstella.”
“What’sthat?”Iasked,withsuddengravity.
Hewasarranginghisfruitinplateswhilewetalked,whichdividedhisattention,andwasthecauseofhishavingmadethislapseofaword.
“Affianced,”heexplained,stillbusywiththefruit.“Betrothed.Engaged.What’s-his-named.Anywordofthatsort.”
“Howdidyoubearyourdisappointment?”Iasked.
“Pooh!”saidhe,“Ididn’tcaremuchforit.She’saTartar.”
“MissHavisham?”
“Idon’tsaynotothat,butImeantEstella.Thatgirl’shardandhaughtyandcapricioustothelastdegree,andhasbeenbroughtupbyMissHavishamtowreakrevengeonallthemalesex.”
“WhatrelationisshetoMissHavisham?”
“None,”saidhe.“Onlyadopted.”
“Whyshouldshewreakrevengeonallthemalesex?Whatrevenge?”
“Lord,Mr.Pip!”saidhe.“Don’tyouknow?”
“No,”saidI.
“Dearme!It’squiteastory,andshallbesavedtilldinner-time.Andnowletmetakethelibertyofaskingyouaquestion.Howdidyoucomethere,thatday?”
Itoldhim,andhewasattentiveuntilIhadfinished,andthenburstoutlaughingagain,andaskedmeifIwassoreafterwards?
Ididn’taskhimifhewas,formyconvictiononthatpointwasperfectlyestablished.
“Mr.Jaggersisyourguardian,Iunderstand?”hewenton.
“Yes.”
“YouknowheisMissHavisham’smanofbusinessandsolicitor,andhasherconfidencewhennobodyelsehas?”
Thiswasbringingme(Ifelt)towardsdangerousground.
IansweredwithaconstraintImadenoattempttodisguise,thatIhadseenMr.JaggersinMissHavisham’shouseontheverydayofourcombat,butneveratanyothertime,andthatIbelievedhehadnorecollectionofhavingeverseenmethere.
“Hewassoobligingastosuggestmyfatherforyourtutor,andhecalledonmyfathertoproposeit.
OfcourseheknewaboutmyfatherfromhisconnexionwithMissHavisham.
MyfatherisMissHavisham’scousin;notthatthatimpliesfamiliarintercoursebetweenthem,forheisabadcourtierandwillnotpropitiateher.”
HerbertPockethadafrankandeasywaywithhimthatwasverytaking.
Ihadneverseenanyonethen,andIhaveneverseenanyonesince,whomorestronglyexpressedtome,ineverylookandtone,anaturalincapacitytodoanythingsecretandmean.
Therewassomethingwonderfullyhopefulabouthisgeneralair,andsomethingthatatthesametimewhisperedtomehewouldneverbeverysuccessfulorrich.Idon’tknowhowthiswas.
Ibecameimbuedwiththenotiononthatfirstoccasionbeforewesatdowntodinner,butIcannotdefinebywhatmeans.
Hewasstillapaleyounggentleman,andhadacertainconqueredlanguorabouthiminthemidstofhisspiritsandbriskness,thatdidnotseemindicativeofnaturalstrength.
Hehadnotahandsomeface,butitwasbetterthanhandsome:beingextremelyamiableandcheerful.
Hisfigurewasalittleungainly,asinthedayswhenmyknuckleshadtakensuchlibertieswithit,butitlookedasifitwouldalwaysbelightandyoung.
WhetherMr.Trabb’slocalworkwouldhavesatmoregracefullyonhimthanonme,maybeaquestion;butIamconsciousthathecarriedoffhisratheroldclothes,muchbetterthanIcarriedoffmynewsuit.
Ashewassocommunicative,Ifeltthatreserveonmypartwouldbeabadreturnunsuitedtoouryears.
Ithereforetoldhimmysmallstory,andlaidstressonmybeingforbiddentoinquirewhomybenefactorwas.
IfurthermentionedthatasIhadbeenbroughtupablacksmithinacountryplace,andknewverylittleofthewaysofpoliteness,Iwouldtakeitasagreatkindnessinhimifhewouldgivemeahintwheneverhesawmeatalossorgoingwrong.
“Withpleasure,”saidhe,“thoughIventuretoprophesythatyou’llwantveryfewhints.
Idaresayweshallbeoftentogether,andIshouldliketobanishanyneedlessrestraintbetweenus.
WillyoudomethefavourtobeginatoncetocallmebymyChristianname,Herbert?”
Ithankedhim,andsaidIwould.IinformedhiminexchangethatmyChristiannamewasPhilip.
“Idon’ttaketoPhilip,”saidhe,smiling,“foritsoundslikeamoralboyoutofthespelling-book,whowassolazythathefellintoapond,orsofatthathecouldn’tseeoutofhiseyes,orsoavariciousthathelockeduphiscaketillthemiceateit,orsodeterminedtogoabird’s-nestingthathegothimselfeatenbybearswholivedhandyintheneighbourhood.ItellyouwhatIshouldlike.
Wearesoharmonious,andyouhavebeenablacksmith—wouldyoumindit?”
“Ishouldn’tmindanythingthatyoupropose,”Ianswered,“butIdon’tunderstandyou.”
“WouldyoumindHandelforafamiliarname?There’sacharmingpieceofmusicbyHandel,calledtheHarmoniousBlacksmith.”
“Ishouldlikeitverymuch.”
“Then,mydearHandel,”saidhe,turningroundasthedooropened,“hereisthedinner,andImustbegofyoutotakethetopofthetable,becausethedinnerisofyourproviding.”
ThisIwouldnothearof,sohetookthetop,andIfacedhim.
Itwasanicelittledinner—seemedtomethen,averyLordMayor’sFeast—anditacquiredadditionalrelishfrombeingeatenunderthoseindependentcircumstances,withnooldpeopleby,andwithLondonallaroundus.
Thisagainwasheightenedbyacertaingipsycharacterthatsetthebanquetoff;for,whilethetablewas,asMr.Pumblechookmighthavesaid,thelapofluxury—beingentirelyfurnishedforthfromthecoffee-house—thecircumjacentregionofsitting-roomwasofacomparativelypasturelessandshiftycharacter:imposingonthewaiterthewanderinghabitsofputtingthecoversonthefloor(wherehefelloverthem),themeltedbutterinthearmchair,thebreadonthebookshelves,thecheeseinthecoalscuttle,andtheboiledfowlintomybedinthenextroom—whereIfoundmuchofitsparsleyandbutterinastateofcongelationwhenIretiredforthenight.
Allthismadethefeastdelightful,andwhenthewaiterwasnottheretowatchme,mypleasurewaswithoutalloy.
Wehadmadesomeprogressinthedinner,whenIremindedHerbertofhispromisetotellmeaboutMissHavisham.
“True,”hereplied.“I’llredeemitatonce.
Letmeintroducethetopic,Handel,bymentioningthatinLondonitisnotthecustomtoputtheknifeinthemouth—forfearofaccidents—andthatwhiletheforkisreservedforthatuse,itisnotputfurtherinthannecessary.
Itisscarcelyworthmentioning,onlyit’saswelltodoasotherpeopledo.
Also,thespoonisnotgenerallyusedover-hand,butunder.Thishastwoadvantages.
Yougetatyourmouthbetter(whichafterallistheobject),andyousaveagooddealoftheattitudeofopeningoysters,onthepartoftherightelbow.”
Heofferedthesefriendlysuggestionsinsuchalivelyway,thatwebothlaughedandIscarcelyblushed.
“Now,”hepursued,“concerningMissHavisham.
MissHavisham,youmustknow,wasaspoiltchild.
Hermotherdiedwhenshewasababy,andherfatherdeniedhernothing.
Herfatherwasacountrygentlemandowninyourpartoftheworld,andwasabrewer.
Idon’tknowwhyitshouldbeacrackthingtobeabrewer;butitisindisputablethatwhileyoucannotpossiblybegenteelandbake,youmaybeasgenteelasneverwasandbrew.Youseeiteveryday.”
“Yetagentlemanmaynotkeepapublic-house;mayhe?”saidI.
“Notonanyaccount,”returnedHerbert;“butapublic-housemaykeepagentleman.Well!Mr.Havishamwasveryrichandveryproud.Sowashisdaughter.”
“MissHavishamwasanonlychild?”Ihazarded.
“Stopamoment,Iamcomingtothat.No,shewasnotanonlychild;shehadahalf-brother.Herfatherprivatelymarriedagain—hiscook,Iratherthink.”
“Ithoughthewasproud,”saidI.
“MygoodHandel,sohewas.Hemarriedhissecondwifeprivately,becausehewasproud,andincourseoftimeshedied.
Whenshewasdead,Iapprehendhefirsttoldhisdaughterwhathehaddone,andthenthesonbecameapartofthefamily,residinginthehouseyouareacquaintedwith.
Asthesongrewayoungman,heturnedoutriotous,extravagant,undutiful—altogetherbad.
Atlasthisfatherdisinheritedhim;buthesoftenedwhenhewasdying,andlefthimwelloff,thoughnotnearlysowelloffasMissHavisham.
—Takeanotherglassofwine,andexcusemymentioningthatsocietyasabodydoesnotexpectonetobesostrictlyconscientiousinemptyingone’sglass,astoturnitbottomupwardswiththerimonone’snose.”
Ihadbeendoingthis,inanexcessofattentiontohisrecital.Ithankedhim,andapologized.Hesaid,“Notatall,”andresumed.
“MissHavishamwasnowanheiress,andyoumaysupposewaslookedafterasagreatmatch.
Herhalf-brotherhadnowamplemeansagain,butwhatwithdebtsandwhatwithnewmadnesswastedthemmostfearfullyagain.
Therewerestrongerdifferencesbetweenhimandher,thantherehadbeenbetweenhimandhisfather,anditissuspectedthathecherishedadeepandmortalgrudgeagainsther,ashavinginfluencedthefather’sanger.
Now,Icometothecruelpartofthestory—merelybreakingoff,mydearHandel,toremarkthatadinner-napkinwillnotgointoatumbler.”
WhyIwastryingtopackmineintomytumbler,Iamwhollyunabletosay.
IonlyknowthatIfoundmyself,withaperseveranceworthyofamuchbettercause,makingthemoststrenuousexertionstocompressitwithinthoselimits.
AgainIthankedhimandapologized,andagainhesaidinthecheerfullestmanner,“Notatall,Iamsure!”andresumed.
“Thereappeareduponthescene—sayattheraces,orthepublicballs,oranywhereelseyoulike—acertainman,whomadelovetoMissHavisham.
Ineversawhim,forthishappenedfive-and-twentyyearsago(beforeyouandIwere,Handel),butIhaveheardmyfathermentionthathewasashowy-man,andthekindofmanforthepurpose.
Butthathewasnottobe,withoutignoranceorprejudice,mistakenforagentleman,myfathermoststronglyasseverates;becauseitisaprincipleofhisthatnomanwhowasnotatruegentlemanatheart,everwas,sincetheworldbegan,atruegentlemaninmanner.
Hesays,novarnishcanhidethegrainofthewood;andthatthemorevarnishyouputon,themorethegrainwillexpressitself.Well!
ThismanpursuedMissHavishamclosely,andprofessedtobedevotedtoher.
Ibelieveshehadnotshownmuchsusceptibilityuptothattime;butallthesusceptibilityshepossessed,certainlycameoutthen,andshepassionatelylovedhim.
Thereisnodoubtthatsheperfectlyidolizedhim.
Hepractisedonheraffectioninthatsystematicway,thathegotgreatsumsofmoneyfromher,andheinducedhertobuyherbrotheroutofashareinthebrewery(whichhadbeenweaklylefthimbyhisfather)atanimmenseprice,onthepleathatwhenhewasherhusbandhemustholdandmanageitall.
YourguardianwasnotatthattimeinMissHavisham’scouncils,andshewastoohaughtyandtoomuchinlove,tobeadvisedbyanyone.
Herrelationswerepoorandscheming,withtheexceptionofmyfather;hewaspoorenough,butnottime-servingorjealous.
Theonlyindependentoneamongthem,hewarnedherthatshewasdoingtoomuchforthisman,andwasplacingherselftoounreservedlyinhispower.
Shetookthefirstopportunityofangrilyorderingmyfatheroutofthehouse,inhispresence,andmyfatherhasneverseenhersince.”
Ithoughtofherhavingsaid,“MatthewwillcomeandseemeatlastwhenIamlaiddeaduponthattable;”andIaskedHerbertwhetherhisfatherwassoinveterateagainsther?
“It’snotthat,”saidhe,“butshechargedhim,inthepresenceofherintendedhusband,withbeingdisappointedinthehopeoffawninguponherforhisownadvancement,and,ifheweretogotohernow,itwouldlooktrue—eventohim—andeventoher.
Toreturntothemanandmakeanendofhim.
Themarriagedaywasfixed,theweddingdresseswerebought,theweddingtourwasplannedout,theweddingguestswereinvited.Thedaycame,butnotthebridegroom.Hewroteheraletter—”
“Whichshereceived,”Istruckin,“whenshewasdressingforhermarriage?Attwentyminutestonine?”
“Atthehourandminute,”saidHerbert,nodding,“atwhichsheafterwardsstoppedalltheclocks.
Whatwasinit,furtherthanthatitmostheartlesslybrokethemarriageoff,Ican’ttellyou,becauseIdon’tknow.
Whensherecoveredfromabadillnessthatshehad,shelaidthewholeplacewaste,asyouhaveseenit,andshehasneversincelookeduponthelightofday.”
“Isthatallthestory?”Iasked,afterconsideringit.
“AllIknowofit;andindeedIonlyknowsomuch,throughpiecingitoutformyself;formyfatheralwaysavoidsit,and,evenwhenMissHavishaminvitedmetogothere,toldmenomoreofitthanitwasabsolutelyrequisiteIshouldunderstand.ButIhaveforgottenonething.
Ithasbeensupposedthatthemantowhomshegavehermisplacedconfidence,actedthroughoutinconcertwithherhalf-brother;thatitwasaconspiracybetweenthem;andthattheysharedtheprofits.”
“Iwonderhedidn’tmarryherandgetalltheproperty,”saidI.
“Hemayhavebeenmarriedalready,andhercruelmortificationmayhavebeenapartofherhalf-brother’sscheme,”saidHerbert.
“Mind!Idon’tknowthat.”
“Whatbecameofthetwomen?”Iasked,afteragainconsideringthesubject.
“Theyfellintodeepershameanddegradation—iftherecanbedeeper—andruin.”
“Aretheyalivenow?”
“Idon’tknow.”
“Yousaidjustnow,thatEstellawasnotrelatedtoMissHavisham,butadopted.Whenadopted?”
Herbertshruggedhisshoulders.“TherehasalwaysbeenanEstella,sinceIhaveheardofaMissHavisham.Iknownomore.
Andnow,Handel,”saidhe,finallythrowingoffthestoryasitwere,“thereisaperfectlyopenunderstandingbetweenus.
AllthatIknowaboutMissHavisham,youknow.”
“AndallthatIknow,”Iretorted,“youknow.”
“Ifullybelieveit.Sotherecanbenocompetitionorperplexitybetweenyouandme.
Andastotheconditiononwhichyouholdyouradvancementinlife—namely,thatyouarenottoinquireordiscusstowhomyouoweit—youmaybeverysurethatitwillneverbeencroachedupon,orevenapproached,byme,orbyanyonebelongingtome.”
Intruth,hesaidthiswithsomuchdelicacy,thatIfeltthesubjectdonewith,eventhoughIshouldbeunderhisfather’sroofforyearsandyearstocome.
Yethesaiditwithsomuchmeaning,too,thatIfeltheasperfectlyunderstoodMissHavishamtobemybenefactress,asIunderstoodthefactmyself.
Ithadnotoccurredtomebefore,thathehadleduptothethemeforthepurposeofclearingitoutofourway;butweweresomuchthelighterandeasierforhavingbroachedit,thatInowperceivedthistobethecase.
Wewereverygayandsociable,andIaskedhim,inthecourseofconversation,whathewas?
Hereplied,“Acapitalist—anInsurerofShips.”
IsupposehesawmeglancingabouttheroominsearchofsometokensofShipping,orcapital,forheadded,“IntheCity.”
IhadgrandideasofthewealthandimportanceofInsurersofShipsintheCity,andIbegantothinkwithawe,ofhavinglaidayoungInsureronhisback,blackenedhisenterprisingeye,andcuthisresponsibleheadopen.
But,again,therecameuponme,formyrelief,thatoddimpressionthatHerbertPocketwouldneverbeverysuccessfulorrich.
“Ishallnotrestsatisfiedwithmerelyemployingmycapitalininsuringships.
IshallbuyupsomegoodLifeAssuranceshares,andcutintotheDirection.
Ishallalsodoalittleintheminingway.
Noneofthesethingswillinterferewithmycharteringafewthousandtonsonmyownaccount.
IthinkIshalltrade,”saidhe,leaningbackinhischair,“totheEastIndies,forsilks,shawls,spices,dyes,drugs,andpreciouswoods.It’saninterestingtrade.”
“Andtheprofitsarelarge?”saidI.
“Tremendous!”saidhe.
Iwaveredagain,andbegantothinkhereweregreaterexpectationsthanmyown.
“IthinkIshalltrade,also,”saidhe,puttinghisthumbsinhiswaistcoatpockets,“totheWestIndies,forsugar,tobacco,andrum.AlsotoCeylon,speciallyforelephants’tusks.”
“Youwillwantagoodmanyships,”saidI.
“Aperfectfleet,”saidhe.
Quiteoverpoweredbythemagnificenceofthesetransactions,Iaskedhimwheretheshipsheinsuredmostlytradedtoatpresent?
“Ihaven’tbeguninsuringyet,”hereplied.“Iamlookingaboutme.”
Somehow,thatpursuitseemedmoreinkeepingwithBarnard’sInn.Isaid(inatoneofconviction),“Ah-h!”
“Yes.Iaminacounting-house,andlookingaboutme.”
“Isacounting-houseprofitable?”Iasked.
“To—doyoumeantotheyoungfellowwho’sinit?”heasked,inreply.
“Yes;toyou.”
“Why,n-no:nottome.”Hesaidthiswiththeairofonecarefullyreckoningupandstrikingabalance.“Notdirectlyprofitable.Thatis,itdoesn’tpaymeanything,andIhaveto—keepmyself.”
Thiscertainlyhadnotaprofitableappearance,andIshookmyheadasifIwouldimplythatitwouldbedifficulttolaybymuchaccumulativecapitalfromsuchasourceofincome.
“Butthethingis,”saidHerbertPocket,“thatyoulookaboutyou.That’sthegrandthing.Youareinacounting-house,youknow,andyoulookaboutyou.”
Itstruckmeasasingularimplicationthatyoucouldn’tbeoutofacounting-house,youknow,andlookaboutyou;butIsilentlydeferredtohisexperience.
“Thenthetimecomes,”saidHerbert,“whenyouseeyouropening.
Andyougoin,andyouswoopuponitandyoumakeyourcapital,andthenthereyouare!
Whenyouhaveoncemadeyourcapital,youhavenothingtodobutemployit.”
Thiswasverylikehiswayofconductingthatencounterinthegarden;verylike.
Hismannerofbearinghispoverty,too,exactlycorrespondedtohismannerofbearingthatdefeat.
Itseemedtomethathetookallblowsandbuffetsnow,withjustthesameairashehadtakenminethen.
Itwasevidentthathehadnothingaroundhimbutthesimplestnecessaries,foreverythingthatIremarkeduponturnedouttohavebeensentinonmyaccountfromthecoffee-houseorsomewhereelse.
Yet,havingalreadymadehisfortuneinhisownmind,hewassounassumingwithitthatIfeltquitegratefultohimfornotbeingpuffedup.
Itwasapleasantadditiontohisnaturallypleasantways,andwegotonfamously.
Intheeveningwewentoutforawalkinthestreets,andwenthalf-pricetotheTheatre;andnextdaywewenttochurchatWestminsterAbbey,andintheafternoonwewalkedintheParks;andIwonderedwhoshodallthehorsesthere,andwishedJoedid.
Onamoderatecomputation,itwasmanymonths,thatSunday,sinceIhadleftJoeandBiddy.
Thespaceinterposedbetweenmyselfandthem,partookofthatexpansion,andourmarsheswereanydistanceoff.
ThatIcouldhavebeenatouroldchurchinmyoldchurch-goingclothes,ontheverylastSundaythateverwas,seemedacombinationofimpossibilities,geographicalandsocial,solarandlunar.
YetintheLondonstreets,socrowdedwithpeopleandsobrilliantlylightedintheduskofevening,thereweredepressinghintsofreproachesforthatIhadputthepooroldkitchenathomesofaraway;andinthedeadofnight,thefootstepsofsomeincapableimpostorofaportermooningaboutBarnard’sInn,underpretenceofwatchingit,fellhollowonmyheart.
OntheMondaymorningataquarterbeforenine,Herbertwenttothecounting-housetoreporthimself—tolookabouthim,too,Isuppose—andIborehimcompany.
HewastocomeawayinanhourortwotoattendmetoHammersmith,andIwastowaitaboutforhim.
ItappearedtomethattheeggsfromwhichyoungInsurerswerehatched,wereincubatedindustandheat,liketheeggsofostriches,judgingfromtheplacestowhichthoseincipientgiantsrepairedonaMondaymorning.
Nordidthecounting-housewhereHerbertassisted,showinmyeyesasatallagoodObservatory;beingabacksecondfloorupayard,ofagrimypresenceinallparticulars,andwithalookintoanotherbacksecondfloor,ratherthanalookout.
Iwaitedaboutuntilitwasnoon,andIwentupon‘Change,andIsawflueymensittingthereunderthebillsaboutshipping,whomItooktobegreatmerchants,thoughIcouldn’tunderstandwhytheyshouldallbeoutofspirits.
WhenHerbertcame,wewentandhadlunchatacelebratedhousewhichIthenquitevenerated,butnowbelievetohavebeenthemostabjectsuperstitioninEurope,andwhereIcouldnothelpnoticing,eventhen,thattherewasmuchmoregravyonthetableclothsandknivesandwaiters’clothes,thaninthesteaks.
Thiscollationdisposedofatamoderateprice(consideringthegrease:whichwasnotchargedfor),wewentbacktoBarnard’sInnandgotmylittleportmanteau,andthentookcoachforHammersmith.
Wearrivedthereattwoorthreeo’clockintheafternoon,andhadverylittlewaytowalktoMr.Pocket’shouse.
Liftingthelatchofagate,wepasseddirectintoalittlegardenoverlookingtheriver,whereMr.Pocket’schildrenwereplayingabout.
AndunlessIdeceivemyselfonapointwheremyinterestsorprepossessionsarecertainlynotconcerned,IsawthatMr.andMrs.Pocket’schildrenwerenotgrowinguporbeingbroughtup,butweretumblingup.
Mrs.Pocketwassittingonagardenchairunderatree,reading,withherlegsuponanothergardenchair;andMrs.Pocket’stwonursemaidswerelookingaboutthemwhilethechildrenplayed.
“Mamma,”saidHerbert,“thisisyoungMr.Pip.”
UponwhichMrs.Pocketreceivedmewithanappearanceofamiabledignity.
“MasterAlickandMissJane,”criedoneofthenursestotwoofthechildren,“ifyougoa-bouncingupagainstthembushesyou’llfalloverintotheriverandbedrownded,andwhat’llyourpasaythen?”
AtthesametimethisnursepickedupMrs.Pocket’shandkerchief,andsaid,“Ifthatdon’tmakesixtimesyou’vedroppedit,Mum!”
UponwhichMrs.Pocketlaughedandsaid,“Thankyou,Flopson,”andsettlingherselfinonechaironly,resumedherbook.
Hercountenanceimmediatelyassumedaknittedandintentexpressionasifshehadbeenreadingforaweek,butbeforeshecouldhavereadhalfadozenlines,shefixedhereyesuponme,andsaid,“Ihopeyourmammaisquitewell?”
ThisunexpectedinquiryputmeintosuchadifficultythatIbegansayingintheabsurdestwaythatiftherehadbeenanysuchpersonIhadnodoubtshewouldhavebeenquitewellandwouldhavebeenverymuchobligedandwouldhavesenthercompliments,whenthenursecametomyrescue.
“Well!”shecried,pickingupthepockethandkerchief,“ifthatdon’tmakeseventimes!
WhatAREyoua-doingofthisafternoon,Mum!”
Mrs.Pocketreceivedherproperty,atfirstwithalookofunutterablesurpriseasifshehadneverseenitbefore,andthenwithalaughofrecognition,andsaid,“Thankyou,Flopson,”andforgotme,andwentonreading.
Ifound,nowIhadleisuretocountthem,thattherewerenofewerthansixlittlePocketspresent,invariousstagesoftumblingup.
Ihadscarcelyarrivedatthetotalwhenaseventhwasheard,asintheregionofair,wailingdolefully.
“Ifthereain’tBaby!”saidFlopson,appearingtothinkitmostsurprising.“Makehasteup,Millers.”
Millers,whowastheothernurse,retiredintothehouse,andbydegreesthechild’swailingwashushedandstopped,asifitwereayoungventriloquistwithsomethinginitsmouth.
Mrs.Pocketreadallthetime,andIwascurioustoknowwhatthebookcouldbe.
Wewerewaiting,Isupposed,forMr.Pockettocomeouttous;atanyratewewaitedthere,andsoIhadanopportunityofobservingtheremarkablefamilyphenomenonthatwheneveranyofthechildrenstrayednearMrs.Pocketintheirplay,theyalwaystrippedthemselvesupandtumbledoverher—alwaysverymuchtohermomentaryastonishment,andtheirownmoreenduringlamentation.
Iwasatalosstoaccountforthissurprisingcircumstance,andcouldnothelpgivingmymindtospeculationsaboutit,untilby-and-byMillerscamedownwiththebaby,whichbabywashandedtoFlopson,whichFlopsonwashandingittoMrs.Pocket,whenshetoowentfairlyheadforemostoverMrs.Pocket,babyandall,andwascaughtbyHerbertandmyself.
“Graciousme,Flopson!”saidMrs.Pocket,lookingoffherbookforamoment,“everybody’stumbling!”
“Graciousyou,indeed,Mum!”returnedFlopson,veryredintheface;“whathaveyougotthere?”
“Igothere,Flopson?”askedMrs.Pocket.
“Why,ifitain’tyourfootstool!”criedFlopson.“Andifyoukeepitunderyourskirtslikethat,who’stohelptumbling?Here!Takethebaby,Mum,andgivemeyourbook.”
Mrs.Pocketactedontheadvice,andinexpertlydancedtheinfantalittleinherlap,whiletheotherchildrenplayedaboutit.
Thishadlastedbutaveryshorttime,whenMrs.Pocketissuedsummaryordersthattheywerealltobetakenintothehouseforanap.
ThusImadetheseconddiscoveryonthatfirstoccasion,thatthenurtureofthelittlePocketsconsistedofalternatelytumblingupandlyingdown.
Underthesecircumstances,whenFlopsonandMillershadgotthechildrenintothehouse,likealittleflockofsheep,andMr.Pocketcameoutofittomakemyacquaintance,IwasnotmuchsurprisedtofindthatMr.Pocketwasagentlemanwitharatherperplexedexpressionofface,andwithhisverygreyhairdisorderedonhishead,asifhedidn’tquiteseehiswaytoputtinganythingstraight.
Share this article to
FINISH