Then, in a distant, Missionary

way he asked them certain questions - as why little Joe had that

hole in his frill: who said, Pa, Flopson was going to mend it when

she had time - and how little Fanny came by that whitlow: who said,

Pa, Millers was going to poultice it when she didn't forget. Then,

he melted into parental tenderness, and gave them a shilling apiece

and told them to go and play; and then as they went out, with one

very strong effort to lift himself up by the hair he dismissed the

hopeless subject.

In the evening there was rowing on the river. As Drummle and

Startop had each a boat, I resolved to set up mine, and to cut them

both out. I was pretty good at most exercises in which countryboys

are adepts, but, as I was conscious of wanting elegance of style

for the Thames - not to say for other waters - I at once engaged to

place myself under the tuition of the winner of a prizewherry who

plied at our stairs, and to whom I was introduced by my new allies.

This practical authority confused me very much, by saying I had the

arm of a blacksmith. If he could have known how nearly the

compliment lost him his pupil, I doubt if he would have paid it.

There was a supper-tray after we got home at night, and I think we

should all have enjoyed ourselves, but for a rather disagreeable

domestic occurrence. Mr. Pocket was in good spirits, when a

housemaid came in, and said, "If you please, sir, I should wish to

speak to you."

"Speak to your master?" said Mrs. Pocket, whose dignity was roused

again. "How can you think of such a thing? Go and speak to Flopson.

Or speak to me - at some other time."

"Begging your pardon, ma'am," returned the housemaid, "I should

wish to speak at once, and to speak to master."

Hereupon, Mr. Pocket went out of the room, and we made the best of

ourselves until he came back.

"This is a pretty thing, Belinda!" said Mr. Pocket, returning with a

countenance expressive of grief and despair. "Here's the cook lying

insensibly drunk on the kitchen floor, with a large bundle of fresh

butter made up in the cupboard ready to sell for grease!"

Mrs. Pocket instantly showed much amiable emotion, and said, "This

is that odious Sophia's doing!"

"What do you mean, Belinda?" demanded Mr. Pocket.

"Sophia has told you," said Mrs. Pocket. "Did I not see her with my

own eyes and hear her with my own ears, come into the room just now

and ask to speak to you?"

"But has she not taken me down stairs, Belinda," returned Mr.

Pocket, "and shown me the woman, and the bundle too?"

"And do you defend her, Matthew," said Mrs. Pocket, "for making

mischief?"

Mr. Pocket uttered a dismal groan.

"Am I, grandpapa's granddaughter, to be nothing in the house?" said

Mrs. Pocket. "Besides, the cook has always been a very nice

respectful woman, and said in the most natural manner when she came

to look after the situation, that she felt I was born to be a

Duchess."

There was a sofa where Mr. Pocket stood, and he dropped upon it in

the attitude of the Dying Gladiator. Still in that attitude he

said, with a hollow voice, "Good night, Mr. Pip," when I deemed it

advisable to go to bed and leave him.

Chapter 24

After two or three days, when I had established myself in my room

and had gone backwards and forwards to London several times, and

had ordered all I wanted of my tradesmen, Mr. Pocket and I had a

long talk together. He knew more of my intended career than I knew

myself, for he referred to his having been told by Mr. Jaggers that

I was not designed for any profession, and that I should be well

enough educated for my destiny if I could "hold my own" with the

average of young men in prosperous circumstances. I acquiesced, of

course, knowing nothing to the contrary.

He advised my attending certain places in London, for the

acquisition of such mere rudiments as I wanted, and my investing

him with the functions of explainer and director of all my studies.