 This is a LibberWalks recording. All LibberWalks recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibberWalks.org. The present recording is by Raju. Email Ramina45 at hotmail.com David Copperfield by Charles Dickens Chapter 21, Little Emily There was a servant in that house, a man who, I understood, was usually with steer force, and had come into his service at the university, who was in appearance a pattern of respectability. I believe they had never existed in this station, a more respectable looking man. He was stashy-turned, soft-footed, very quiet in his manner, differential, observant, always at hand and wanted, and never near when not wanted. But his great claim to consideration was his respectability. He had not a plain face, he had rather a stiff neck, rather a tight, smooth head with short hair, clinging to it at the sides, a soft way of speaking, with a peculiar habit of whispering the letter S, so distinctly that he seemed to use it oftener than any other man. But every peculiarity that he had, he made respectable. If his nose had been upside down, he would have made that respectable. He surrounded himself with an atmosphere of respectability and walked secure in it. It would have been next to impossible to suspect him of anything wrong. He was so thoroughly respectable. Nobody could have thought of putting him in a library. He was so highly respectable. To have imposed any derogatory work upon him would have been to inflict the wanton insult on the feelings of the most respectable man. And of this, I noticed the women servants in the household were so intuitively conscious that they always did such work themselves and generally while he read the paper by the pantry fire. Such a self-contained man I never saw. But in the quality, as in every other he possessed, he only seemed to be the more respectable. Even the fact that no one knew his Christian name seemed to form a part of his respectability. Nothing could be objected against his son-name, Litimah, by which he was known. Peter might have been hanged or Tom transported, but Litimah was perfectly respectable. It was occasioned, I suppose, by the reverent nature of respectability in the abstract. But I felt particularly young in this man's presence. How old he was himself I could not guess, and that again went to his credit on the same score. For, in the calmness of respectability, he might have numbered fifty years as well as thirty. Litimah was in my room in the morning before I was up to bring me the approachful shaving water and to put out my clothes. When I undrew the curtains and looked out of bed, I saw him in an equal temperature of respectability, unaffected by the east wind of January, and not even breathing softly, standing my boots right and left in the first dancing position and blowing specks of dust off my coat as he laid it down like a baby. I gave him good morning and asked him what o'clock it was. He took out his pocket, the most respectable hunting watch I ever saw, and preventing the spring with his thumb from opening far, looked in at the face as if he were consulting an auricular oyster, shut it up again and said, If I please, it was half past eight. Mr. Stareforth will be glad to hear how you have rested, sir. Thank you, said I. Very well indeed. He is Mr. Stareforth quite well. Thank you, sir. Mr. Stareforth is tolerably well. Another of his characteristics. No use of superlatives. A cool, calm, medium always. Is there anything more I can have the honour of doing for you, sir? Morning well will ring at nine. The family take breakfast at half past nine. Nothing. I thank you. I thank you, sir, if you please. And with that and with a little inclination of his head, when he passed the bedside as an apology for correcting me, he went out shutting the door as delicately as if I had just fallen into a sweet sleep on which my life depended. Every morning we held exactly this conversation. Never any more, never any less. And yet invariably, however far I might have been lifted out of myself overnight and advanced towards mature years by Stareforth's companionship or Mrs. Stareforth's confidence or Ms. Daughter's conversation in the presence of this most respectable man who became, as a smaller poet sing, a boy again. He got horses for us and Stareforth who knew everything gave me lessons in riding. He provided forest for us and Stareforth gave me lessons in fencing, gloves, and I began of the same master to improve in boxing. He gave me no manner of concern that Stareforth should find me a novice in these sciences but I never could bear to throw my wand of skill before the respectable Ritima. I had no reason to believe that Ritima understood such arts himself. He never led me to suppose anything of the kind by so much as the vibration of one of his respectable eyelashes yet whenever he was by while we were practicing I felt myself the greenest and the most inexperienced of mortals. I am particular about this man because he made a particular effect on me at that time and because of what took place thereafter. The weak passed away in a most delightful manner. He passed rapidly as may be supposed to one entranced as I was and it gave me so many occasions for knowing Stareforth better and admiring him more in a thousand aspects that at his close I seem to have been with him for a much longer time yet dashing way he had of treating me like a plaything was more agreeable to me than any behavior he could have adopted. It reminded me of our old acquaintance. It seemed the natural sequel of it. It showed me that he was unchanged. It relieved me of any uneasiness I might have felt in comparing my merits with his and measuring my claims upon his friendship by any equal standard. Above all it was a familiar, unrestrained, affectionate deminor that he used towards no one else. As he had treated me at school differently from all the rest, I joyfully believe that he treated me in life unlike any other friend he had. I believe that I was nearer to his heart than any other friend and my own heart from its attachment to him. He made a peace mind to go with me into the country and the day arrived for our departure. He had been doubtful at first whether to take Littimer or not but decided to leave him at home. The respectable creature satisfied with his lot whatever it was arranged our portmanteau on the little carriage that was to take us into London as if they were intended to defy the shocks of ages and received my modesty, profane donation with perfect tranquility. We bade adieu to Mrs. T.F.O. and Ms. Doctor with many thanks on my part and much kindness on the devoted mothers. The last thing I saw was Littimer's unruful pipe fraught as I fancied with the silent conviction that I was very young indeed. What I felt in returning so auspiciously to the old familiar places I shall not endeavor to describe we went down by the mail I was so concerned I recollect, even for the honour of your mouth, that when Stareforth said as we drove through its dark streets to the inn that as well as he could make out it was a good, queer out of the way kind of cold I was highly pleased we went to bed on our arrival I observed a pair of dirty shoes and gaiters in connection with my old friend the dolphin as he passed the door and breakfasted late in the morning Stareforth, who was in great spirits had been strolling about the beach before I was up and had made acquaintance he said with half the boatmen in the place moreover he had seen in the distance what he was sure must be the identical house of Mr. Pregati with smoke coming out of the chimney and had had a great mind he told me to walk in and swear he was myself grown out of knowledge when do you propose to introduce me there you see, he said I am at your disposal, make your own arrangements why? I was thinking that this evening would be a good time, Stareforth when they are all sitting around the fire I should like you to see it when it is snug, it is such a curious place so be it returns, Stareforth, this evening I shall not give them any notice that we are here, you know said I, delighted we must take them by surprise oh, of course it's no fun said Stareforth, unless we take them by surprise the natives in their aboriginal condition though they are the sort of people that you mentioned I return aha, what? you recollect my skirmishes with Rosa, do you? he explained with a quick look confound the girl, I am half afraid of her, she is like a goblin to me, but never mind her now what are you going to do? you are going to see your nurse I suppose why? yes, I said let's see pegoti first of all well replies Stareforth looking at his watch suppose I deliver you up to be cried over for a couple of hours is that long enough? I answered laughing that I thought we might get through it in that time but that he must come also for he would find that his renown had preceded him and that he was almost as great a personage as I was I'll come anywhere you like search Stareforth or do anything you like tell me where to come to and in two hours I'll produce myself in any state you please sentimental or comical I gave him my new directions for finding the residence of Mr. Barquis carrier to Brunner Stone and elsewhere and on this understanding went out alone there was a sharp bracing air the ground was dry the sea was crisp and clear the abundance of light if not much warmth and everything was fresh and lively I was so fresh and lively myself in the pleasure of being there that I could have stopped the people in the streets and shaken hands with them the streets look small of course the streets that we have only seen as children always do I believe when we go back to them but I had forgotten nothing in them and found nothing changed until I came to Mr. Omar's shop Omar and Joram was now written up where Omar used to be but the inscription Draper, Taylor, Haberdasher funeral furniture and remind as it was my footsteps seemed to tend so naturally to the shop door after I had read these words from over the way that I went across the road and looked in there was a pretty woman at the back of the shop dancing a little child in her arms while another little fellow clung to her apron I had no difficulty in recognizing either Minnie or Minnie's children the glass door of the parlor was not open but in the workshop across the yard I could faintly hear the old tune playing as if it had never left off East Mr. Omar at home said I entering I should like to see him for a moment if he is oh yes sir he is at home said Minnie the weather don't suit his asthma out of doors Joe call you a grandfather a little fellow who was holding her apron gave such a lusty shout that the sound of it made him bashful and he buried his face in her skirts to her great admiration I heard a heavy puffing and blowing coming towards us and soon Mr. Omar shorter winded than of Jor but not much older looking stood before me servant sir said Mr. Omar what can I do for you sir you can shake hands with me Mr. Omar if you please said I putting out my own you are very good nature to me once when I am afraid I didn't show that I thought so as I though returned the old man I am glad to hear it but I don't remember when are you sure it was me I think my memory has got as short as my breath said Mr. Omar looking at me and shaking said for I don't remember you don't you remember you are coming to the coach to meet me and my having breakfast here and our riding out to blunderstone together you and I and Mrs. Joram and Mr. Joram too who wasn't her husband then why Lord bless my soul explained Mr. Omar after being thrown by his surprise into a fifth of coffee you don't say so mini my dear you recollect dear me yes the party was a lady I think my mother I rejoined to be sure said Mr. Omar touching my waistcoat with his forefinger and there was a little child too there was two parties the little party was laid along the other party over the blunderstone it was of course dear me and how have you been since very well I thanked him as I hope he had been too oh nothing to grumble at you know said Mr. Omar I find my breath get short but it seldom gets longer as a man gets older I take it as it comes and make the most of it that is the best way isn't it Mr. Omar coughed again in consequence of laughing and was assisted out of his feet by his daughter who now stood close beside us chanceing a smallest child on the counter dear me said Mr. Omar yes to be sure two parties why in that very right if you will believe me the day was named for my mini to marry Joram do name it says Joram yes two father says mini and now he has come into the business and look here the youngest mini laughed and stroked her banded her upon her temples as her father put one of his fat fingers into the hand of the child she was dancing on the counter two parties of course said Mr. Omar nodding his head retrospectively exactly so and Joram said work at this minute on a gray one with silver nails not this measurement the measurement of the dancing child upon the counter by a good two inches will you take something I thanked him but declined let me see Mr. Omar bark is the carrier's wife pegotes the boatman's sister she has something to do with your family she was in service there sure my answering in the affirmative gave him great satisfaction I believe my brief will get long next my memory is getting so much so said Mr. Omar well sir we have got a young relation of us here under our articles to us that has as elegant a taste in the dressmaking business I assure you I don't believe there is a duchess in England can touch her not little Emily I said involuntarily Emily sir name said Mr. Omar and she is little too but if you believe me she has such a face of her own half the women in this town are mad against her nonsense father cried meaning my dear said Mr. Omar I don't say it is a case with you winking at me but I say that half the women in Yarmouth ah and in five mile round or mad against that girl then she should have kept her old station in life father said meaning and not have given them any hold to talk about her and then they couldn't have done it couldn't have done it my dear we thought that Mr. Omar couldn't have done it is that your knowledge of life what's there that any woman couldn't do that she shouldn't do especially on the subject of another woman's good looks I really thought it was all over with Mr. Omar after he had uttered this marvelous presentary he coughed to that extent and his breath eluded all his attempts to recover it with that consistency that I fully expected to see his head go down behind the counter and his little black breeches with the rustles of bunches of ribbons at the knees come clearing up in a last ineffectual struggle at length however he got better though he still panted hard and was so exhausted that he was obliged to sit on the stool of the shop desk you see he said wiping his head sitting with difficulty she hasn't taken much to any companions here she hasn't taken kindly to any particular acquaintances and friends not to mention sweet thoughts in consequence an ill natured story got about that Emily wanted to be a lady now my opinion is that it came into circulation principally on account of her sometimes saying at the school that if she was a lady she would like to do and so for her uncle don't you see and buy him such and such fine things I assure you Mr. Omar he has such so to me I returned eagerly when we were both children Mr. Omar not only said and rubbed his chin just so then out of a very little he she could dress herself you see better than most others could out of a deal and that made things unpleasant moreover she was rather what might be called wayward I'll go so far as to say what I should call wayward myself said Mr. Omar didn't know her own mind quite a little spoil and couldn't at first exactly bind herself down no more than what was ever said against her mini no father said Mrs. Joram that's the worst I believe so when she got a situation said Mr. Omar to keep a fractious old lady company they didn't very well agree and she didn't stop at last she came here apprenticed for three years nearly two of them over and she has been as good a girl as ever was what any six mini is she worth any six now yes father replied mini never say I detracted from her very good said Mr. Omar that's right and so young gentleman he added after a few moments further rubbing of his chin that you may not consider me long-winded as well as short breath I believe that's all about it as they had spoken in a subdued tone while speaking of Emily I had no doubt that she was near on my asking now if that were not so Mr. Omar nodded yes and nodded towards the door of the parlor my hurried inquiry if I might peep in was answered with a free permission I looking through the glass I saw her sitting at our work I saw her a most beautiful little creature with a cloudless blue eyes that had looked into my childish heart turned laughingly upon another child of minis who was playing near her with enough of willfulness in a bright face to justify what I had heard with much of the old capricious coyness lurking in it but with nothing in her pretty looks I am sure but with what was meant for goodness and for happiness and what was on a good and happy course the tune across the yard that seemed as if never had left off alas it was the tune that never just leave off beating softly all the while wouldn't you like to step in said Mr. Omar and speak to her walk in and speak to her sir make yourself at home I was too bashful to do so then I was afraid of confusing her and I was no less afraid of confusing myself but I informed myself of the hour at which she left off an evening in order that our visit might be timed accordingly and taking leave of Mr. Omar and his pretty daughter and her little children went away to my dear old begotties here she was in the tiled kitchen cooking dinner the moment I knocked at the door she opened it and asked me what I pleased to want I looked at her with a smile but she gave me no smile in return I had never ceased to write to her but it must have been the things we had met is Mr. Barkh is at home ma'am I said feigning to speak roughly to her he is at home sir returned begotty but he is bad abed with the romantics don't he go over to Blunderstone now I asked when he is well he do she answered do you ever go there Mrs. Barkh she looked at me more and I noticed a quick movement of her hands towards each other because I want to ask a question about her house there that they call they what is it she took a step backward and put out her hands in an undesired freight and way as if to keep me off begotty I cried to her she cried my darling boy and we both burst into tears in one another's arms what extravagances she committed what laughing and crying over me what pride she showed what joy, what sorrow that she whose pride and joy I might have been could never hold me in a fond embrace I have not the heart to tell I was troubled with no misgiving that it was young in me to respond to her emotions I had never laughed and cried in all my life as I say not even to her more freely than I did that morning Barkhish will be so glad said begotty wiping her eyes with her apron that it will do him more good than pints of liniment may I go and tell him you are here will you come up and see him my dear of course I would but begotty could not get out of the room as he's gas she went to the door and looked around at me she came back again to have another laugh and another cry upon my shoulder at last to make the matter easier I went upstairs with her and having waited outside for a minute while she said a word of preparation to Mr Barkhish presented myself before that in valley he received me with absolute enthusiasm he was too romantic to be shaken hands with begged me to shake the tassel on the top of his nightcap which I did most cardially when I sat down by the side of the bed he said that it did him a world of good to feel as if he was driving me on the blunder stone road again as he lay in that face upward and so covered with that exception that he seemed to be nothing but a face like a conventional cherubim and he looked the curious object I ever beheld what name was it as I wrote up in the cards sir said Mr Barkhish with a slow romantic smile ah Mr Barkhish we had some great talks about that matter hadn't we I was willing a long time sir said Mr Barkhish a long time said I and I don't regret it said Mr Barkhish remember what you told me once about her making all the apple pasties and doing all the cooking yes very well I return it was as true said Mr Barkhish as turnips is it was as true said Mr Barkhish nodding his nightcap which was his only means of emphasis as taxes is and nothing is truer than them Mr Barkhish turned his eyes upon me as if for my ascent to this of his reflections in bed and I gave it nothing is truer than them repeated Mr Barkhish a man as poor as I am finds that out in his mind when he is laid up I am a very poor man sir I am sorry to hear it Mr Barkhish a very poor man indeed I am said Mr Barkhish here his right hand came slowly and feebly from under the bed clothes and with a purposeless uncertain grasp of his stick which was loosely tied to the side of the bed after some poking about with his instrument in the course of which his face assumed a variety of distracted expressions Mr Barkhish poked it against the box and end of which had been visible to me all the time then his face became composed old clothes said Mr Barkhish oh said I I wish it was money sir said Mr Barkhish I wish it was indeed said I but it changed said Mr Barkhish opening both his eyes as wide as he possibly could I express myself quite sure of that and Mr Barkhish turning his eyes more gently to his wife said she is the usefulest and best of women C.P. Barkhish all the praise that anyone can give to C.P. Barkhish she deserves and know my dear you will get a dinner today for company something good to eat and drink will you I should have protested against this unnecessary demonstration in my honor but that I saw Pagati on the opposite side of the bed extremely anxious I should not so I held my peace I got a trifle of money somewhere about me my dear said Mr Barkhish but I am a little tired if you and Mr David will leave me short nap I will try and find it when I wait we left the room in compliance with this request when we got outside the door Pagati informed me that Mr Barkhish being a little nearer than he used to be always resorted to this same device before producing a single coin from his store and that he endured unheard of agonies in crawling out of bed alone and taking it from that unlucky box in effect we presently heard him uttering suppressed groans of the most dismal nature as this magpie proceeding rocked him every joint but while Pagati's eyes were full of compassion for him she said his generous impulse would do him good and it was better not to check it so he groaned on until he got into bed again suffering I have no doubt a martyr down and then called us in to have just woke up from a refreshing sleep and to produce a guinea from under his pillow his satisfaction in which happy imposition on us and in having preserved the impenetrable secret of the box appeared to be sufficient compensation to him for all his tortures I prepared Pagati for Stierforth's arrival and it was not long before he came I am persuaded she knew no difference between having been a personal benefactor of hers and a kind friend to me and that she would have received him with the utmost gratitude and devotion in any case but his easy spirited good humor his genial manner his handsome looks his natural gift of adapting himself to whomsoever he pleased and making direct when he cared to do it to the main point of interest in anybody's heart bound her to him in five minutes his manner to me alone would have won her but through all these causes combined I sincerely believe she had a kind of adoration for him before he left the house that night he stayed there with me to dinner if I were to say willingly I should not have expressed how readily and gaily he went into Mr. Barker's room like light and air brightening and refreshing it there was no noise no effort no consciousness in anything he did but in everything an indescribable lightness a seeming impossibility of doing anything else or doing anything better which is so graceful so natural and agreeable that it overcomes me even now in the remembrance we made merry in the little parlor where the book of martyrs unthumbed since my time at the desk as of old and where I now turned over its terrific pictures remembering the old sensations they had awakened but not feeling them when Pagoti spoke of what she called my room and of its being ready for me at night and of her hoping I would occupy it before I could so much as look at Stierforth hesitating he was possessed of the whole case of course he said you will sleep here while we stay and I shall sleep at the hotel but to bring you so far I return and to separate seems bad companionship Stierforth why in the name of heaven where do you naturally belong he said what is seems compared to that it was settled at once he maintained always delightful qualities to the last until we started forth at 8 o'clock for Mr. Pagoti's boat indeed they were more and more brightly exhibited as the hours went on for I thought even then and I have no doubt now that the consciousness of success in his determination to please inspired him with a new delicacy of perception and made it certainly as it was more easy to him if anyone had told me then that all this was a brilliant game played for the excitement of the for the employment of high spirits in the thoughtless love of superiority in the mere wasteful careless course of winning what was worthless to him and next minute thrown away I say if anyone had told me such a life that night I wonder in what manner of receiving it my indignation would have found a vent probably only in an increase had that been possible of the romantic feelings of fidelity and friendship with which I walked beside him over the dark wintry sands towards the old boat the wind sighing around us even more mournfully than it had sighed and moaned upon the night when I first darkened Mr. Pagoti's door this is a wild kind of place to your forth is it not dismal enough in the dark he said and the sea rose as if it were hungry for us is that the boat where I see a light yonder that's the boat said I and it is the same I saw this morning he returned I came straight to it by instinct I suppose we said no more as we approached the light but made softly for the door I laid my hand upon the latch and whispering dear forth to keep close to me went in the murmur of voice had been audible on the outside and at the moment of our entrance a clapping of hands which later noise I was surprised to see to see that from the generally disconcilate Mrs. Gummidge but Mrs. Gummidge was not the only person there who was unusually excited Mr. Pagoti his face lighted up with uncommon satisfaction and laughing with all his might held his rough arms wide open as if for little Emily to run into them ham with the mixed expression in his face of exaltation and a lumbering sort of bashfulness that sat upon him very well held little Emily by the hand as if he were presenting her to Mr. Pagoti little Emily herself blushing and shy but delighted with Mr. Pagoti's delight as her joy size expressed was stopped by our entrance for she saw us first the very act of springing from ham to nestle in Mr. Pagoti's embrace in the first glimpse we had of them all and at the moment of her passing from the dark cold night into warm light room this was the way in which they were all employed Mrs. Gummidge in the background clapping her hands like a mad woman the little picture was so instantaneously dissolved by her going in that one might have doubted whether it had ever been I was in the midst of the astonished family face to face with Mr. Pagoti and holding out my hand to him when ham shouted Master Devi, it's Master Devi in the moment we were all shaking hands with one another and asking one another how we did and telling one another how glad we were to meet and all talking at once Mr. Pagoti was so proud and overjoyed to see us that he did not know what to say or do but kept over and over again shaking hands with me and then it's tear fought and then with me and then ruffling taggy hair all over his head and laughing with such glee and triumph that it was a treat to see him why that you too gentlemen, gentlemen growl should come to this here roof tonight of all nights in my life said Mr. Pagoti he is such a thing as never happened before I do rightly believe Emily, my darling come here, come here my little witch there is Master Devi's friend, my dear there is a gentleman as you have heard on Emily, he comes to see you along with Master Devi on the brightest night of your uncle's life as ever was or will be gom the tea the other one and growl for it after delivering this speech all in a breath and with extraordinary animation and pleasure Mr. Pagoti put one of his large hands rapturously on each side of his knees face and kissing it for a dozen times laid it with a gentle pride and love upon his broad chest and patred it as if his hand had been a lady's then he let her go and as she ran into the little chamber where I used to sleep looked round upon as quite hot and out of breath with this uncommon satisfaction if you too gentlemen gentlemen growl now and such gentlemen said Mr. Pagoti so they are, so they are Mr. Devi bore gentlemen growl so they are if you too gentlemen gentlemen growl said Mr. Pagoti don't excuse me for being in a state of mind when you understand matters I will ask your pardon Emily my dear she knows I am going to tell here his delight broke out again and has made off would he be so good as look after her mother for a minute Mrs. Gammage nodded and disappeared if this end said Mr. Pagoti sitting down among us by the fire the brightest night of my life I am a shellfish by two and more I can't say this here little Emily sir in a low voice to steer forth her as you see blushing here just now steer forth only nodded but with such a pleased expression of interest and of participation in Mr. Pagoti's feelings that the latter answered him as if he had spoken to be sure said Mr. Pagoti that's her and so she is thank you sir I am nodded to me several times as if he would have said so too this here little Emily of a word said Mr. Pagoti has been in our house what I suppose I am an ignorant man but that's my belief no one but a little bright eyed creature can be in your house she ain't my child I never had one but I couldn't love her more you understand I couldn't do it I quite understand such steer forth I know you do sir returned Mr. Pagoti and thank you again most likely he can remember what she was you may judge for your own self what she is but neither of you can fully know what she has been is and will be to my loving heart I am rough sir said Mr. Pagoti I am as rough as a sea porcupine but no one unless it is a woman can know I think whatever little Emily and betwixt ourselves sinking his voice lower yet that woman's name ain't Miss Gammage neither though she has a word of merits Mr. Pagoti ruffled his air again with both hands as a further preparation for what he was going to say and went on with the hand upon each of his knees there was a certain person as had known our Emily from the time when her father was grounded as had seen her constant when a baby when a young girl when a woman not much of a person to look at he weren't said Mr. Pagoti something oh my own bill rough a good deal oh the so western in him very soft but on the whole an honest sort of a chap with his art in the right place I thought I had never seen ham grin to anything like the extent to which he sat grinning at us now what is this here blessed top all in go and do said Mr. Pagoti with his face one high noon of enjoyment but he loses that their art of his to our little Emily he follows her about he makes himself went to her he loses in a great measure his relish for his vitals and the long run he makes it clear to me what's amiss now I could wish myself you see that our little Emily was in a far way of being married I could wish to see her at all events under articles to your honest man as had a right to defend her I don't know how long I may live soon I may die but I know that if I was capsized any night in a gale of wind in Yarmouth roads here and was to see the town lights shining for the last time over the rollers as I couldn't make a head against I could go down quite a for thinking there is a man assure that I untrue to my little Emily God bless her and no wrong can touch my Emily while so be as that man lives Mr. Pagoti in simple earnestness pared his right on as if he were waving it at the town lights for the last time and then exchanging a nod with him whose I he got proceeded as before well I counsel him to speak to Emily he is big enough but he is bashfuler than a little earn and he don't like so I speak what him says Emily him that I have know so intimate so many years and like so much oh uncle I never can have him he is such a good fellow I give sir a kiss and I says no more to her than my dear you are right to speak out you are to choose for yourself you are as free as a little bird then I always to him and I says I wish it could have been so but it can't but you can both be as you was and what I say to you is be as you was with her like a man he says to me a shaking of my hand I will he says and he was honorable and manful for two year going on and was just the same at home here as a four Mr. Pagoti's face which made in its expression with the various stages of his narrative now resumed all his former triumphant delight as he laid a hand upon my knee and a hand upon steer force previously fitting them both for the greater emphasis of the action and divided the following speech between us all of us are done one evening as it might be tonight comes little Emily from her work and him with her so much in that you will say no because he takes care on her like a brother or to dark and indeed F. O. Dark and at all times but Mr. Paul in chap he takes hold of her and and he cries out to me joyful look here this is to my little wife and she says half bored and half and half a laughing and half a crying yes uncle if you please if I please cried Mr. Pagoti rolling his head in an ecstasy of the idea Lord as if I should do anything else if you please I am steadier now and I have thought better of it and I will be as good a little wife as I can to him for he is a dear good fellow then Mrs. Garmage she claps her hands like a play and you come in there the mothers out said Mr. Pagoti you come in it took place this here present ever and here is the man that I will marry her the minute she is out of her time I am staggered as well he might under the blow Mr. Pagoti dealt him in his unbounded joy as a mark of confidence and friendship but feeling called upon to say something to us he said much faltering and great difficulty she want no higher than you was musta devi when you first come and I thought what she would grow up to be I see her grown up gentleman like a flower I would lay down my life for her musta devi oh most content and cheerful she is more to me gentleman then she is all to me that ever and more than ever I than ever I could say I I love her true there ain't a gentleman in all the land nor it's sailing upon all the sea that can love his lady more than I love her though there's many a common man would say better what he meant I thought it affecting to see such a sturdy fellow as Ham was now trembling in the strength of what he felt for the pretty little creature who had won his heart I thought the simple confidence reposed in us by Mr. Pagoti and by himself boss in itself affecting I was affected by the story all together how far my emotions were influenced by the recollections of my childhood I don't know whether I had come there with any lingering fancy that I was still to love little Emily I don't know I know that I was filled with pleasure all this but at first with an indescribably sensitive pleasure that a very little would have changed to pain therefore if it had depended upon me to touch the prevailing card among them with any skill I should have made a poor hand of it but it depended upon Sterefort and he did it with such address that in a few minutes we were all as easy and as happy as it was possible to be Mr. Pagoti he said you are a thoroughly good fellow and deserve to be as happy as you are tonight my hand upon it I give you joy my boy my hand upon that too Daisy stir the fire and make it a brisk one and Mr. Pagoti unless you can induce your gentle knees to come back for whom I vacate the seat in the corner I shall go any gap on the fire side on such a night such a gap least of all I wouldn't make for the wealth of the indes so Mr. Pagoti went into my old room to fetch little Emily at first little Emily didn't like to come and then ham went presently they brought her to the fire side very much confused and very shy but she soon became more assured when she found how gently and respectfully Sterefort spoke to her most carefully he avoided anything that would embarrass her how he talked to Mr. Pagoti of boats and ships and tides and fish how he referred to me about the time when he had seen Mr. Pagoti at Salem house how delighted he was with the boat and all belonging to it how lightly and easily he carried on until he brought us by degrees into a charmed circle and we were all talking away any result Emily indeed sat little all the evening but she looked and listened and her face got animated and she was charming Sterefort told a story of a dismal shipwreck which arose out of his talk with Mr. Pagoti as if he saw it all before him and little Emily's eyes were fastened on him all the time as if she saw it too he told us a merry adventure of his own as a relief to that with as much Katie as if the narrative were as fresh to him as it was to us and little Emily laughed until the boat rang with musical sounds and we all laughed Sterefort too in irresistible sympathy with what was so present and life hearted he got Mr. Pagoti to sing or rather to roll when the stormy winds do blow do blow do blow and he sang a saluous song himself so pathetically and beautifully that I could have almost fancied that the real wind creeping sorrowfully round the house and murmuring low through our unbroken silence was there to listen as to Mrs. Gammage he roused the victim of dependency with the success never attained by anyone else so Mr. Pagoti informed me since the disease of the old one he left her so little reassure for being miserable that she said next day she thought she must have been bewitched but he set up no monopoly of the general attention or the conversation when little Emily grew more courageous and topped but still bashfully across the fire to me of her old wanderings upon the beach to pick up shells and pebbles and when I asked her if she was to be devoted to her and when we both laughed and reddened casting these looks back on the present old times so unreal to look at now she was silent and attentive and observed us thoughtfully she sat at this time and all the evening on the old locker in her old little corner by the fire hand beside her where I used to sit I could not satisfy myself whether it was in her own little tormenting way or in a maidenly reserve before us that she kept quite close to the wall and away from him but I observed that she did so all the evening as I remember it was almost midnight when we took our leave we had some biscuit and dried fish for supper and Steafold had produced from his pocket a full flask of hollands which we mean I may say we meant now without a blush had emptied we parted nearly and as they all stood crowded around the door to light us as far as they could upon our road I saw the sweet blue eyes of little Emily peeping after us from behind ham and heard her salt voice calling to us to be careful how we went a most engaging little beauty said Steafold taking my arm well it's a quaint place and they are quaint company and it's quite a new sensation to mix with them how fortunate we are to I return to have arrived to witness their happiness in that intended marriage I never saw people so happy how delightful to see it and to be made the sharers in their honest joy as we have been thus rather a chuckle-headed fellow for the girl isn't he said Steafold he had been so hearty with him and with them all that I felt a shock in this unexpected and cold reply but turning quickly upon him and seeing a laugh in his eyes answered much relieved ah Steafold it's well for you to joke about the poor you may skirmish with miss daughter or try to hide your sympathies in jest for me but I know better when I see how perfectly you understand them how explicitly you can enter into happiness like this plain fisherman's or humor a love like my old nurses I know that there's not a joy or sorrow not an emotion of such people that can be indifferent to you and I admire and love you for it Steafold 20 times the more he stopped and looking in my face said Daisy I believe you are in earnest and are good I wish we all were next moment he was singing Mr. Pagodi's song as we walked it around place back to your mouth end of chapter 21 this is a liverwax recording all liverwax recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit liverwax.org the present recording is by Raju email amina45 at hotmail.com David Copperfield by Charles Dickens chapter 22 some old scenes and some new people stay forth and I stayed for more than a fortnight in that part of the country we were very much together I need not say but occasionally we were asunder for some hours at a time he was a good sailor and I was but an indifferent one and when he went out voting with Mr. Pagodi which was a favorite amusement of his I generally remind assured my occupation of Pagodi's bar room put a constraint upon me from which he was free for knowing how assiduously she attended on Mr. Barki's all day I did not like to remind out late at night whereas stay forth lying at the end had nothing to consult but his own humor thus it came about that I heard of his making little treats for the fisherman at Mr. Pagodi's house of call the willing mind after I was in bed and office being afloat wrapped in fisherman's clothes whole moonlight nights and coming back when the morning tide was at flood by this time however I knew that his restless nature and bold spirits delighted to find a vent in rough toil and hard weather as in any other means of excitement that presented itself freshly to him so none of his proceedings surprised me another cause of our being sometimes apart was that I had naturally an interest in going out to Blunderstone and revisiting the old familiar scenes of my childhood whilst here for after being there once had naturally no great interest in going there again hence on three or four days that I can at once recall we went our several ways after an early breakfast and met again at a late dinner I had no idea how he employed his time in the interval beyond the general knowledge that he was very popular in the place and had 20 means of actively digesting himself where another man might not have found one for my own part my occupation in my solitary pilgrimages was to recall every odd of the old road as I went along it and to haunt the old spots of which I never tired I haunted them as my memory had often done and lingered among them as my younger thoughts had lingered when I was far away the grave beneath the tree where both my parents lay on which I had looked out was my father's only with such curious feelings of compassion and by which I had strove so desolate when it was open to receive my pretty mother and her baby the grave which Pagoti's own faithful care had ever since kept neat and made a garden of I walked near by the hour it lay a little off the churchyard path in a quiet corner not so far removed but I could read the names upon the stone as I walked to and fro startled by the sound of the church bell when it struck the hour for it was like a departed voice to me my reflections at these times were always associated with the figure I was to make in life and the distinguished things I was to do my echoing footsteps went to no other tune but were as constant to that as if I had come home to build my castles in the air at the living mother's side there were great changes in my old home the ragness so long decepted by the roots were gone and the trees were lopped and topped out of their remembered shapes the garden had run wild and half the windows of the house were shut up it was occupied but only by a poor lunatic gentleman and the people who took care of him looking at my little window looking out into the church yard and I wondered whether his rambling thoughts ever went upon any of the fancies that used to occupy mine on the rosy mornings when I peeped out of that same little window in my night clothes and saw the sheep quietly feeding in the light of the rising sun our old neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Graypair were gone to South America and the rain had made its way through the roof of their empty house and stained the outer walls Mr. Chillick was married again to a tall, raw-bound high-nosed wife and they had a reason little baby and a heavy head that it couldn't hold up and two weak staring highs with which it seemed to be always wondering why it had ever been born it was with a singular jumble of sadness and pleasure that I used to linger about my native place until the reddening winter sun admonished me that it was time to start on my returning walk but when the place was left behind and especially when steered forth and I were happily seated over our dinner by a blazing fire it was delicious to think of having been there so it was though in a softened degree when I went to my neat room at night and turning over the leaves of the crocodile book which was always there upon a little table remembered with a grateful heart how blessed I was in having such a friend as steered forth such a friend as pegaty and such a substitute for what I had lost as my excellent and generous aunt my nearest way to Yarmouth in coming back from these long walks was by a ferry it landed me on the flat between the town and the sea which I could make straight across and so saved myself a considerable circuit by the high road Mr. Pegaty's house being on that waste place and not a hundred yards out of my tribe I always looked in as I went by steered forth was pretty sure to be there expecting me and we went on through the frosty air and gathering fog towards the twinkling lights of the town one dark evening when I was later than usual for I had that day in making my parting visit to Blunderstone as we were now about to return home I found him alone in Mr. Pegaty's house sitting thoughtfully before the fire he was so intent upon his own reflections that he was quite unconscious of my approach this indeed he might easily have been if he had been less absorbed for footsteps fell noiselessly on the sandy ground outside but even my entrance failed to rouse him standing close to him looking at him and still with a heavy bro he was lost in his meditations he gave such a start when I put my hand upon his shoulder that he made me start to you come upon me he said almost angrily like a reproachful ghost I was obliged to announce myself somehow I replied have I called you down from the stars no he answered no up from anywhere then said I taking my seat near him I was looking at the pictures in the fire he returned but you are spoiling them for me said I as he stirred it quickly with a piece of burning wood striking out of it a train of red heart spots that went carrying up the little chimney and rolling out into the air you would not have seen them he returned I detest this mongrel time neither day or night how late you are where have you been I have been taking leave of my usual walk said I and I have been sitting here such tear forth glancing around the room thinking that all the people we found so glad on the night of our coming down might to judge from the present wasted air of the place be dispersed or dead come to I don't know what harm David I wish to God I had had a judicious father these last 20 years my dears tear forth what's the matter I wish with all my soul I had been better guided he exclaimed I wish with all my soul I could get myself better there was a passionate rejection in his manner that quite amazed me but unlike himself than I could have supposed possible it would be better to be this poor pegaty or his loud of a nephew he said getting up and leaning moodyly against the chimney peace with his face towards the fire than to be myself 20 times richer and 20 times wiser and be the torment to myself that I have been in this devil's bark of a boat within the last half hour I was so confounded by the alteration in him that at first I could only observe him in silence as he stood leaning his head upon his hand and looking gloomily down at the fire at length I begged him with all the earnestness I felt to tell me what had occurred to cross him so unusually and to let me sympathize with him if I could not hope to advise him before I had well concluded he began to laugh fretfully at first but soon with returning gaiety third it's nothing daisy nothing he replied I told you at the inn in London I am heavy company for myself sometimes I have been a nightmare to myself just now must have had one I think at all dull times nursery tales come up into the memory unrecognized for what they are I believe I have been confounding myself with the bad boy who didn't care and became food for lions a grander kind of going to the dogs I suppose what old woman called the horrors have been creeping over me from head to foot I have been afraid of myself you are afraid of nothing else I think said I perhaps not and yet may have enough to be afraid of too he answered so it goes by I am not about to be heaped again David but I tell you my good fellow once more that it would have been well for me and for more than me if I had had steadfast and judicious father his face was always full of expression why it expressed such a dark kind of earnestness as when he said these words with his glance bent on the fire so much for that he said making as if he tossed something light into the air with his hand why being gone I am a man again like Macbeth and now for dinner if I have not Macbeth like broken up the feast with most admired disorder Daisy all I wonder said I God knows such tearful after strolling to the ferry looking for you I strolled in here and found the place deserted that set me thinking and you found me thinking the advent of Mrs. gummage with the basket explained how the house had happened to be empty she had hurried out to buy something that was needed against Mr. Pegotis return with the tide and had left the door open in the meanwhile left Hammond little Emily with whom it was an early night should come home while she was gone steer forth after very much improving Mrs. gummage spirits by a cheerful salutation and the jackals embrace took my arm and hurried me away he had improved his own spirits no less than Mrs. gummage for they were again at their usual flow and he was full of vivacious conversation as we went along and so he said gaily we abandoned this Buccaneer life tomorrow do we so we agreed I returned and our places by the coach are taken you know I there's no help for it I suppose such tearful I have almost forgotten that there is anything to do in the world but to go out tossing on the sea here I wish there was not as long as the novelty should last said I laughing like enough he returned though there is a sarcastic meaning in that observation for an amiable piece of innocence like my young friend well I dare say I am a capricious fellow David I know I am but while the iron is hot I can strike it vigorously too I could pass a reasonably good examination already as a pilot in these waters I think Mr. Pagoti says you are a wonder I returned a nautical phenomenon love is tearful indeed he does and you know how truly I know how hard and you are in any pursuit to follow and how easy you can master it and that amazes me most in you tearful that you should be contented with such fitful uses of your powers contented he answered merrily I am never contented except with your freshness my gentle daisy as to fitfulness I have never learned the art of binding myself to any of the wheels on which the exience of these days are turning round and round I missed it somehow in a bad apprenticeship and now don't care about it you know I have bought a boat down here what an extraordinary fellow you are tearful I explained stopping for this was the first I had heard of it when you may never cap come near the place again I don't know that he returned I have taken a fancy to the place at all events walking me briskly on I have bought a boat that was for sale a clipper Mr. Pagoti says and so she is and Mr. Pagoti will be master of her in my absence now I understand you is tearful said I exultingly you pretend to have bought it for yourself but you have really done so to confirm a benefit on him I might have known as much at first knowing you my dear kind's tearful how can I tell you what I think of your generosity shhh he answered turning red the less said the better didn't I know cried I didn't I say that there was not a joy or sorrow or any emotion of such honest hearts that was indifferent to you ay ay he answered you told me all that there let it rest we have said enough afraid of offending him by pursuing a subject when he made so light of it I only pursued it in my thoughts as we went on at even a quicker pace than before she must be newly rigged said tearforth and I shall leave Littimer behind it to see it done that I may know she is quite complete did I tell you Littimer had come down no oh yes came down this morning with a letter from my mother as our looks met I observed that he was pale even to his slips though he looked very steadily at me I feared that some difference between him and his mother might have led to his being in the frame of mind in which I had found him at the solitary fireside I hinted so oh no he said shaking his head and giving a slight laugh nothing of the sort yes he has come down that man of mine the same as ever said I the same as ever said tearforth distant and quiet as the north poor he shall see to the boat being fresh named he is the stormy Petra now what does Mr. Pagoti care for stormy petals I will have her christened again by what name? the little Emily as he had continued to look steadily at me I took it as a reminder that he objected to being extolled for his consideration I could not help showing in my face how much it pleased me but I said little and he resumed his usual smile and seemed relieved but see here he said looking before us where the original little Emily comes and that fellow with her upon my soul he is a true knight he never leaves her Ham was a boat builder in these days having improved a natural ingenuity in that handicraft until he had become a skilled workman he was in his working dress rugged enough but manly with all and a very fit protector for the blooming little creature at his side indeed there was a frankness in his face an honesty and an undisguised show of his pride in her and his love for her which were to me the best of good looks I thought as they came towards us that they were well matched even that particular she withdrew her hand timidly from his arm as we stopped to speak to them and blushed as she gave it to steer forth and to me when they passed down after we had exchanged a few words she did not like to replace that hand but still appearing timid and constrained walked by herself I thought all this very pretty and engaging and steer forth seemed to think so too as we looked after them fading away in the light of a young moon suddenly there passed us evidently following them a young woman whose approach we had not observed but whose face I saw as she went by and thought I had a faint remembrance of she was lightly dressed looked bold and haggard and flaunting and poor but seemed for the time to have given all that to the wind which was blowing in our mind but going after them as the dark distant level absorbing their figures into itself left but itself visible between us and the sea and clouds her figure disappeared in like manner still no nearer to them than before that's a black shadow to be following the girl said steer forth standing still what does it mean he spoke in a low voice that sounded almost strange to me she must have it in her mind to beg of them I think said I a beggar would be no novelty said steer forth but it's a strange thing that the beggar should take that shape tonight why I asked for no better reason truly than because I was thinking he said after a pass of something like it when it came by where the devil did it come from I wonder the shadow of this wall I think said I as we emerged upon a road on which a wall abated it's gone he returned looking over his shoulder and all he'll go with it now for our dinner but he looked again over his shoulder towards the sea line glimmering far off and yet again and he wondered about it in some broken expressions several times in the short reminder of our walk and only seemed to forget it when the light of fire and candle shone upon us seated warm and merry at table Leitemar was there and had his usual effect upon me when I said to him that I hoped Mrs. steer forth and Miss Dottel were well he answered respectfully and of course respectably that they were tolerably well he thanked me this was all and yet he seemed to me to say as plainly as a man could say you are very young sir you are exceedingly young we had almost finished dinner when taking a step or two towards the table from the corner where he kept watch upon us or rather upon me as I felt he said to his master I beg your pardon sir Miss Moucher is down here who cried steer forth much astonished Miss Moucher sir why what on earth does she do here said steer forth it appears to be her native part of the country sir she informs me that she makes one of her professional visits here every year sir I met her in the street this afternoon and she wished to know if she might have the honor of waiting on you after dinner sir do you know the giantess in question Daisy steer forth I was obliged to confess I felt ashamed even of being at this disadvantage before Latimer that Miss Moucher and I were wholly unacquainted then you shall know her said steer forth for she is one of the seven wonders of the world when Miss Moucher comes show her in I felt some curiosity and excitement about this lady especially as steer forth burst into a fit when I referred to her and positively refused to answer any question of which I made her the subject I remind therefore in a state of considerable expectation until the cloth had been removed some half an hour and we were sitting over our decanter of wine before the fire when the door opened and Latimer with his habitual serenity quite undisturbed announced Miss Moucher I looked at the doorway and saw nothing I was still looking at the doorway thinking that Miss Moucher was a long while making her appearance went to my infinite astonishment there came rattling round her so far which stood between me and it a percy dwarf of about 40 or 45 with a very large head and face a pair of progish grey eyes and such extremely little arms that to enable herself to lay a finger archly against her snub nose as she ogled steer forth she was obliged to meet the finger halfway and lay her nose against it her chin which was what is called double chin was so fat that it entirely swallowed up the strings of her bonnet bow and all throat she had none waist she had none legs she had none worth mentioning was more than full size down to where her waist would have been if she had had any and though she terminated as human beings generally do in a pair of feet she was so short that she stood at a common size chair as at a table resting a bag she carried on the seat this lady dressed in an often easy style bringing her nose and her forefinger together with the difficulty I have described standing with her head necessarily on one side and with one of her sharp eyes shut up making an uncommonly knowing face after ogling steer forth for a few moments broke into a torrent of words what my flower she presently began shaking her large head of him you are there are you oh you naughty boy fight for shame what do you do so far away from home to mischief I will be bound oh you are a downy fellow steer forth so you are and I am another ain't I ha ha ha you would have bettered a hundred pound to five now that you wouldn't have seen me here wouldn't you bless you man alive I am everywhere I am here and there and where not like the conjurers half crown and the ladies hand culture talking of hand cultures and talking of ladies what a comforting word to your blessed mother ain't you my dear boy or one of my shoulders and I don't say which Miss Moucher untied her bonnet at this passage of her discourse threw back the strings and sat down panting on a footstool in front of the fire making a kind of arbor of the dining table which spread its mahogany shelter above her head oh my stars and what's their names she went on clapping a hand on each of her little knees and dancing truly at me I am of two full a habit that's the fight steer forth after a flight of stairs it gives me as much trouble to draw every breath I want as if it was a bucket of water if you saw me looking out of an upper window you would think I was a fine woman wouldn't you I should think that wherever I saw you replies to your forth go along you dog do cried the little creature making a whisk at him with the handkerchief with which she was wiping her face and don't be impudent but I give you my word and honor I was at Lady Mithers last week there is a woman how she was and Mithers himself came into the room where I was waiting for her there's a man how he was and his week two for he has had it these ten years and he went on at that rate in the complimentary line that I began to think I should be oblige to ring the bell ha ha ha he's a pleasant wretch but he wants principle what were you doing for Lady Mithers asked you forth that's telling my blessed infant she retorted topping her nose again bringing up her face and twinkling her eyes like an imp of supernatural intelligence never you mind you'd like to know whether I stop her hair from falling off or dye it or touch up her complexion or improve her eyebrows wouldn't you and so you shall my darling when I tell you do you know what my great grandmother's name was no such tear forth it was Walker replied Miss Moucher and he came of a long line of walkers that I inherit all the hooky estates from him I never beheld anything approaching to Miss Moucher's wing except Miss Moucher's self-possession she had a wonderful way to when listening to what was said to her or when waiting for an answer to what she had said herself of passing with her head cunningly on one side and one eye turned up like a magpies all together I was lost in amazement and sat staring at her quite oblivious I'm afraid of the loss of politeness she had by this time drawn the chair to her side and was busily engaged in producing from the back plunging in her short arm to the shoulder at every dive a number of small bottles sponges, cobs, brushes bits of flannel little pairs of curling irons and other instruments which she stumbled in a heap upon the chair from this employment she suddenly desisted and said to Sterefort much to my confusion who is your friend Mr. Copperfield said to Sterefort he wants to know you well then he shall I thought he looked as if he did returned Miss Moucher waddling up to me bag in hand laughing on me as she came faced like a peach standing on tiptoe to pinch my cheek as I sat quite tempting I'm very fond of peaches happy to make your acquaintance Mr. Copperfield I am sure I said that I congratulated myself on having the honour to make hers and that the happiness was mutual oh my goodness how polite we are exclaimed Miss Moucher making a preposeless attempt to cover her large face with her morsel of a hand what a world of gammon and spinach it is though ain't it this was addressed confidentially to both of us as the morsel of a hand came away from the face and buried itself arm and all in the bag again what do you mean Miss Moucher said to Sterefort ha ha ha what a refreshing set of humbugs we are to be sure ain't we my sweet child replied that morsel of a woman feeling in the bag with her head on one side and her eye in the air look here taking something out scrap of the Russian Prince's nails Prince Alphabet turned topsy-turvy I call him for his name has got all the letters in it higgledy-piggledy the Russian Prince is a client of yours is he searched here forth my pet replied Miss Moucher I keep his nails in order for him twice a week fingers and toes he pays well I hope searched here forth pays as he speaks my dear child through the nose replied Miss Moucher none of your clothes shavers the Prince ain't you would say so if you saw his mustachios read by nature black by art by your art of course searched here forth Miss Moucher winked ascent forced to sent for me couldn't help it the climate affected his diet it did very well in Russia but it was no go here you never saw such a rusty Prince in all your born days as he was like old iron is that why you called him a humbug just now inquires here forth oh you are a brat of a boy ain't you returned Miss Moucher shaking her head violently I said what a set of humbugs we were in general and I showed you the scraps of the Prince's nails to prove it the Prince's nails do more for me in private families of the Gentiles sort than all my talents put together I always carry them about they are the best introduction if Miss Moucher cuts the Prince's nails she must be alright I give them away to the young ladies they put them in albums I believe upon my life the whole social system as the men call it when they make speeches in parliament is a system of Prince's nails said this least of women trying to fold her short arms and nodding her large head steer forth loved heartily and I loved too Miss Moucher continuing all the time to shake her head which was very much on one side and to look into the air with one eye and to wing with the other well well she said smithing her small knees and rising this is not business come steer forth let's explore the polar regions and have it over she then selected two or three of the little instruments and a little bottle and asked to my surprise if the table would bear on steer forth replying in the affirmative she pushed a chair against it bringing the assistance of my hand mounted up pretty nimbly to the top as if it were a stage if either of you saw my ankles she said when she was safely elevated say so and I will go home and destroy myself I did not said steer forth I did not said I well then cried Miss Moucher I will consent to live now ducky ducky ducky come to Mrs Bond and be killed this was an invocation to steer forth to place himself under her hands who accordingly sat himself down with his back to the table and his laughing face towards me and submitted his head to her inspection evidently for no other purpose than our entertainment to see Miss Moucher standing over him looking at his rich profusion of brown hair through a large round magnifying glass which she took out of her pocket for the most amazing spectacle you are a pretty fellow said Miss Moucher after a brief inspection you'd be as bald as a friar on the top of your head in 12 months but for me just half a minute my young friend and we will give you a polishing that shall keep your curls on for the next 10 years with this she tilted some of the contents of the little bottle on to one of the little bits of flannel again importing some of the virtues of that preparation to one of the little brushes began rubbing and scraping away with both on the crown of steer forth's head in the busiest manner I ever witnessed talking all the time there is Charlie Pygrave the Duke's son she said you know Charlie peeping round into his face a little such steer forth what a man he is there is a whisker as to Charlie's legs if they were only a pair which they ain't they would defy competition would you believe he tried to do without me in the lifeguards too mad said steer forth it looks like it however mad or sane he tried returned Miss Moucher what does he do but lo and behold you he goes into a perfumer's shop and wants to buy a bottle of Madagascar liquid Charlie does said steer forth Charlie does but they haven't got any Madagascar liquid what is it something to drink asked steer forth to drink returned Miss Moucher stopping to slap his cheek to doctor his own mustachios with you know there was a woman in the shop elderly female quite a griffin who had never even heard of it by name begging pardon sir said the griffin to Charlie it's not not not Rouge is it Rouge said Charlie to griffin what the unmentionable two years polite do you think I want with Rouge no offense sir said the griffin we have it asked for by so many names I thought it might be now that my child continued Miss Moucher rubbing all the time as busily as ever is another instance of the refreshing hamburg I was speaking of I do something in that way myself perhaps a good deal perhaps a little sharps the word my dear boy never mind in what way do you mean in the Rouge way said steer forth put this and that together my tender people return the very Moucher touching her nose work it by the role of secrets in all trades and the product will give you the desired result I say I do a little in that way myself on the wager she calls it lips slave another she calls it gloves another she calls it tucker edging another she calls it a fan I call it whatever they call it I supply it for them but we keep up the trick so to one another and make believe it's such a face that they would as soon think of laying it on before a whole drawing room as before me and when I wait upon them they will say to me sometimes with it on take and no mistake how am I looking Moucher am I pale ha ha ha isn't that refreshing my young friend I never did in my days behold anything like Moucher as she stood up on the dining table intensely enjoying this refreshment rubbing Missiliy as tearful's head and winking at me over it she said such things are not in much demand hereabouts that sets me off again I haven't seen a pretty woman since I have been here Jimmy no such tearful not the ghost of one replied Miss Moucher we could show her the substance of one I think such tearful addressing his eyes to mine a daisy yes indeed said I ah ha cried the little creature glancing sharply at my face and then peeping round at tearful's the first exclamation sounded like a question put to both of us and the second like a question put to tearful's only she seemed to have found no answer to either but continued to rub with her head on one side and her eye turned up as if she were looking for an answer there and were confident of its appearing presently a sister of yours Copperfield she cried after a pass and still keeping the same look out hey hey no such tearful before I could reply nothing of the sort on the contrary Mr. Copperfield used or I am much mistaken to have a great admiration for her why hasn't he now returned Miss Moucher is he fickle oh for shame did he sip every flower and change every hour until Polly his passion requited is her name Polly the elfin suddenness with which she pounced upon me with this question and a searching look quite disconcerted me for a moment no Miss Moucher I replied her name is Emily ah ha she cried exactly as before what a rattle I am Mr. Copperfield ain't I volatile her tone and look implied something that was not agreeable to me in connection with the subject so I said in a graver manner than any of us had yet assumed she is as virtuous as she is pretty she is engaged to be married to a most worthy and deserving man in her own station of life I esteem her for her good sense as much as I admire her for her good looks well said here here here now I'll quench the curiosity of this little Fatima my dear Daisy by leaving her nothing to guess at she is at present apprentice Miss Moucher or article or whatever it may be to Omar and Joram haberdasher millionaires and so forth in this town do you observe the promise of which my friend has spoken is made and entered into with her cousin Christian name Ham surname Pegati occupation boat builder also of this town she lives with a relative Christian name unknown occupation seafaring also of this town she is the prettiest and most engaging little fairy in the world I admire her as my friend does exceedingly if it were not that I might appear to disparage her intended which I know my friend would not like I would add that to me she seems to be throwing herself away that I am sure she might do better and that I swear she was born to be a lady Miss Moucher listen to these words which were very slowly and distinctly spoken with her head on one side and her eye in the air as if she was still looking at that answer when he sees she became brisk again in an instant and rattled away with surprising vulnerability oh and that's all about it is it she exclaimed trimming his whiskers with a little restless pair of scissors that went glancing around his head in all directions very well very well quite a long story out to end and they lived happy ever afterwards what is that game at four feet I love my love with an E because she is enticing I hate her with an E because she is engaged I took her to the sign of the excuse and treated her with an allotment her name is Emily and she lives in the east ha ha ha Mr. Copperfield ain't I volatile merely looking at me with extravagant slowness and not waiting for any reply she continued without drawing breath there if ever any escape grace was trimmed and touched up to perfection you are steer forth if I understand any noddle in the world I understand yours do you hear me when I tell you that my darling I understand yours peeping down into his face now you may missile Jimmy as we say at court and if Mr. Copperfield will take the chair I will operate on him what do you say Daisy inquires steer forth laughing and resigning his seat will you be improved thank you Ms. Moucher not this evening don't say no return the little woman looking at me with the aspect of a connoisseur a little bit more eyebrow thank you I returned some other time have it carried half a quarter of an inch towards the temple said Ms. Moucher we can do it in a fortnight no I thank you not at present going for a tip she urged no let's get this scaffolding up then for a pair of whiskers come I could not help blushing as I declined for I felt we were on my weak point now but Ms. Moucher finding that I was not at present disposed for any decoration within the range of her art and that I was for the time being proof against plantishments of the small bottle which she held up before one night to enforce her persuasions said we would make a beginning on an early day and requested the aid of my hand to descend from her elevated station thus assisted she skipped down with much agility and began to tie her double chin into her bonnet the fee said steer forth is five bob replied Ms. Moucher and dirt sheep my chicken ain't I volatile Mr. Copperfield I replied politely not at all but I thought she was rather so when she tossed up his two half crowns like a goblin pie man caught them, dropped them in her pocket and gave it a loud slap that's the till observed Ms. Moucher standing at the chair again and replacing in the bag the collection of little objects she had emptied out of it have I got all my traps it seems so it won't do to be like long net beadwood when they took him to church to marry him to somebody as he says and left the bride behind ha ha ha a wicked rascal net but drawl now I know I am going to break your hearts but I am forced to leave you you must call up all your fortitude and try to bar it goodbye Mr. Copperfield take care of yourself jockey of Norfolk how I have been rattling on it's all the fault of you two wretches I forgive you Bob Swore as the Englishman said for good night when he first learnt French and thought it so like English Bob Swore my ducks with the bag slung over her arm and rattling as she waddled away the door where she stopped to inquire if she should leave us a lock of her hair any time volatile she added as a commentary on this of her and with her finger on her nose departed steer forth laughed to that degree that it was impossible for me to help laughing too though I am not sure I should have done so but for this inducement when we had had our laugh quite out which was after some time he told me that Miss Moucher had quite an extensive connection and made herself useful to a variety of people in a variety of ways some people trifled with her as a mere oddity he said but she was as shrewdly and sharply observant as anyone he knew and as long headed as she was shot on he told me that what she had said of being here and there and everywhere was true enough for she made little darts to the provinces and seemed to pick up customers everywhere and to know everybody I asked him what her disposition was whether it was at all mischievous and if her sympathies were generally on the right side of things but not succeeding in attracting his attention to these questions after two or three attempts I forbore or forgot to repeat them he told me instead with much rapidity about her skill and her profits and about her being a scientific copper if I should have occasion for her service in that capacity she was the principal theme of our conversation during the yearning and when we parted for the night Steerforth called after me over the banisters Bob swore as I went downstairs I was surprised when I came to Mr. Barkie's house to find Ham walking up and down in front of it and still more surprised to learn from him that little Emily was inside I naturally inquired why he was not there too instead of pacing the streets by himself why you see Musk Devi he rejoined in a hesitating manner Emily she is talking to someone in there I should have thought said I smiling that that was a reason for you to come in here to Ham well Musk Devi in a general way so it would be he returned but looky here Musk Devi lowering his voice and speaking very gravely it's a young woman sir a young woman that Emily know once and doing ought to know no more when I heard these words a light began to fall upon the figure I had seen following them some hours ago Mr. Uram Musk Devi said Ham as it trod underfoot by all the town up street and down street they mould oh the churchyard don't hold any that the folk shrink away from more did I see her tonight Ham on the sand after we met you keep us in sight said Ham it's like you did Musk Devi not that I know them she was there sir but along of her creeping soon afterwards and the Emily's little wind up when she see the light come and whispering Emily Emily for Christ's sake have a woman's heart towards me I was once like you these was solemn words Musk Devi for to hear they were indeed Ham what did Emily do says Emily Martha is it you oh Martha can it be you for they had sat at work together many a day at Mr. Omer's I recollect her now cried I recalling one of the two girls I had seen when I first went there I recollect her quite well Martha I ended said Ham two or three years older than Emily but was at the school with her I never heard her name said I I didn't mean to interrupt you for the matter oh that Musk Devi replied Ham all stole a most in them words Emily Emily for Christ's sake have a woman's heart towards me I was once like you she wanted to speak to Emily Emily couldn't speak to her there for her loving uncle was come home and he wouldn't know Musk Devi said Ham with great earnestness he couldn't kind natured tender hearted as he is see them two together side by side for all the treasures that's wrecked in the sea I felt how true this was I knew it on the instant quite as a less Ham so Emily writes in pencil in a bit of paper he pursued and gives it to her out of Winder to bring here show that she says to my aunt Mrs. Barkis and she will set you down by her fire for the love of me till uncle is gone out and I can come by and by she tells me what I tell you Musk Devi and asks me to bring her what can I do she don't ought to know any such but I can't deny her when the tears is on her face he put his hand into the breast of his shaggy jacket and took out with great care a pretty little purse and if I could deny her when the tears was on her face Musk Devi said Ham tenderly adjusting it on the rough palm of his hand how could I deny her when she give me this to carry for her knowing what she brought it for such a toy as it is said Ham thoughtfully looking on it with such a little money in it Emily my dear I shook him warmly with my hand when he had put it away again for that was more satisfactory to me than saying anything and we walked up and down for a minute or two in silence the door opened then and Pagoti appeared beckoning to Ham to come in I would have kept away but she came after me entreating me to come in too even then I would have avoided the room where they all were but for its being the child kitchen I have mentioned more than once the door opening immediately into it I found myself among them before I considered with her I was going the girl the same I had seen upon the sands was near the fire she was sitting on the ground with her head and one arm lying on a chair I fancied from the disposition of her figure that Emily had but newly risen from the chair and that the forlorn head might perhaps have been lying on her lap I saw but little of the girl's face over which her hair fell loose and scattered as if she had been disordering it with her own hands but I saw that she was young and of a fair complexion Pagoti had been crying so had little Emily not a word was spoken when we first went in by the clock by the dresser seemed in the silence to tick twice as loud as usual Emily spoke first Martha wants she said to Ham to go to London why to London returned Ham he stood between them looking on the prostrate girl with the mixture of compassion for her and of jealousy of her holding any companionship with her whom he loved so well which I have always remembered distinctly they both spoke as if she were ill in a soft suppressed tone that was plainly heard although it hardly rose above a whisper better than than here said a third voice allowed Martha's though she did not move no one knows me there everybody knows me here what will she do there inquired Ham and looked darkly round at him for a moment then laid it down again and curled her right arm about her neck as a woman in a fever or in an agony of pain from a shot might twist herself she will try to do well said little Emily you don't know what she has said to us does he do they aren't Pagoti shook her head compassionately I will try said Martha keep me away I never can do worse than I have done here I may do better oh with a dreadful shiver take me out of these streets where the whole town knows me from a child as Emily held out her hand to Ham I saw him put in it a little canvas bag she took it as if she thought it were her purse and made a step or two forward but finding her mistake to where he had retired near me and showed it to him it's all you earn Emily I could hear him say I haven't knelt in all the world that ain't you earned my dear it ain't of no delight to me except for you the tears rose freshly in her eyes but she turned away and went to Martha what she gave her I don't know I saw her stooping over her she whispered something as she asked was that enough more than enough the other said and took her hand and kissed it then Martha arose and gathering a shawl about her covering her face with it and weeping aloud went slowly to the door she stopped a moment before going out as if she would have uttered something or turned back but no word passed her lips making the same low dreary moaning in her shawl she went away as the door closed little Emily looked at us three in a hurried manner and then healed her face in her hands and felt sobbing don't Emily said ham tapping her gently on the shoulder don't my dear you don't ought to cry so pretty oh ham she exclaimed still weeping pitifully I'm not so good a girl I ought to be I know I have not the thankful heart sometimes I ought to have yes yes you have I'm sure said ham no no no cried little Emily sobbing and shaking her head I'm not as good a girl as I ought to be not near not near and still she cried as if her heart would break I try your love too much I know I do I'm often crossed to you and changeable with you when I ought to be far different you are never so to me why am I ever so to you when I should think of nothing but how to be grateful and to make you happy you always make me so said ham my dear I'm happy in the sight of you I am happy all day long in the thoughts of you ah that's not enough she cried you are good not because I am oh my dear it might have been a better fortune for you if you had been fond of someone else of someone steadier and much further than me who was all bound up in you and never vain and changeable like me poor little tender heart said ham in a low voice Martha has over set her all together please on sobbed Emily come here and let me lay my head upon you oh I'm very miserable tonight aunt oh I'm not as good a girl as I ought to be I am not I know Pegoti had hastened to the chair before the fire Emily with her arms around her neck kneeled by her looking up most earnestly into her face oh pray aunt try to help me ham dear try to help me Mr. David for the sake of old times do please try to help me I want to be a better girl than I am I want to feel a hundred times more thankful than I do I want to feel more what a blessing it is to be the wife of a good man and to lead a peaceful life oh me oh me oh my heart my heart she dropped her face on my old nurse's breast and ceasing this supplication which in its agony and grief was half a woman's half a child's as all her manner was being in that more natural and better suited to her beauty as I thought than any other manner could have been wept silently while my old nurse hushed her like an infant she got calmer by degrees and then we soothed her now talking encouragingly and now justing a little with her until she began to raise her head and speak to us so we got on until she was able to smile and then to laugh and then to sit up half ashamed while Pagoti recalled her stray ringlets, cried her eyes and made her neat again lest her uncle should wonder when she got home why his darling had been crying I saw her do that night what I had never seen her do before I saw her innocently kiss her and her husband on the cheek and creep close to his bluffed form as if it were her best support when they went away together in the vanning moonlight and I looked after them comparing that departure in my mind with Martha's I saw that she held his arm with both her hands and still kept close to him end of chapter 22 recording by Raju Ramina45 at Hotmail.com