大卫·科波菲尔

1 David Copperfield's childhood

I was born at Blunderstone in Suffolk in the east of England and was given my poor father's name David Copperfield Sadly he never saw me He was much older than my mother when they married and died six months before I was born My father's death made my beautiful young mother very unhappy and she knew she would find life extremely difficult with a new baby and no husband The richest and most important person in our family was my father's aunt Miss Betsey Trotwood. She had in fact been married once to a handsome young husband. But because he demanded money from her and sometimes beat her she decided they should separate He went abroad and soon news came of his death. Miss Trotwood bought a small house by the sea and lived there alone with only one servant She had not spoken to my father since his marriage because she considered he had made a mistake in marrying a very young girl But just before I was born when she heard that my mother was expecting a baby she came to visit Blunder- stone.

It was a cold windy Friday afternoon in March My mother was sitting by the fire feeling very lonely and unhappy and crying a little. Suddenly a stern strange-looking face appeared at the window. Open the door ordered the sternfaced lady My mother was shocked but obeyed at once You must be David Copper field's wife said the lady as she entered I'm Betsey Trotwood You've heard of me Yes whispered mother trembling How young you are cried Miss Betsey Just a baby My mother started sobbing again I know I look like a child I know I was young to be a wife and I'm young to be a mother But perhaps I'll die before I become a mother Come come answered Miss Betsey. Have some tea Then you'll feel better What do you call your girl My girl I don't know yet that it will be a girl replied my mother miserably No I don't mean the baby I mean your servant

Her name's Peggotty Her first name's Clara the same as mine so I call her by her family name you see What a terrible name However never mind Peggotty she called going to the door Bring Mrs Copperfield some tea at once She sat down again and continued speaking You were talking about the baby I'm sure it'll be a girl Now as soon as she s born He perhaps said my mother bravely Don t be stupid of course it ll be a she I'm going to send her to school and educate her well I want to prevent her from making the mistakes I've made in life Miss Betsey looked quite angry as she said this My mother said nothing as she was not feeling at all well. But tell me were you and your husband happy asked Miss Betsey

This made my poor mother feel worse than ever. I know I wasn't very sensible about money or cooking or things like that she sobbed. But we loved each other and he was helping me to learn and then he died Oh Oh And she fell back in her chair completely unconscious

Peggotty who came in just then with the tea realized how serious the situation was and took my mother upstairs to bed. The doctor arrived soon afterwards and stayed all evening to take care of his patient.

At about midnight he came downstairs to the sitting room where Miss Betsey was waiting impatiently

Well doctor, what's the news How is she

The young mother is quite comfortable madam replied the doctor politely

But she the baby how is she cried Miss Betsey

The doctor looked strangely at Miss Betsey. It's a boy madam he replied

Miss Betsey said nothing but walked straight out of the house and never came back

That was how I was born. My early childhood was extremely happy as my beautiful mother and kind Peggotty took care of me. But when I was about eight a shadow passed over my happiness. My mother often went out walking in her best clothes with a gentleman called Mr Murdstone He had black hair a big black moustache and an unpleasant smile and seemed to be very fond of my mother. But I knew that Peggotty did not like him A few months later Peggotty told me that my mother was going to have a short holiday with some friends. Meanwhile Peggotty and I would go to stay with her brother Daniel in Yarmouth on the east coast for two weeks I was very excited when we climbed into the cart although it was sad saying goodbye to my mother Mr Murdstone was at her shoulder waving goodbye as the driver called to his horse and we drove out of the village When we got down from the cart in Yarmouth after our journey Peggotty said That's the house Master David I looked all round but could only see an old ship on the sand. Is that that your brother's house I asked in delight. And when we reached it I saw it had doors and windows and a chimney just like a real house I could not imagine a nicer place to live. Everything was clean and tidy and smelt of fish Now I was introduced to the Peggotty family There was Daniel Peggotty a kind old sailor Although he was not married he had adopted two orphans who lived with him and called him Uncle Ham Peggotty was a large young man with a gentle smile and Emily was a beautiful blue-eyed little girl. They all welcomed Peggotty and me warmly I spent a wonderfully happy two weeks there playing all day on the beach with Emily and sleeping in my own little bed on the ship. I am sure I was in love with little Emily in my childish way and I cried bitterly when we had to say goodbye at the end of the holiday But on the way home to Blunderstone Peggotty looked at me very worriedly. Master David my dear she said suddenly in a trembling voice. I must tell you you'll have to know now While we've been away your dear mother has married Mr Murdstone He's your stepfather now I was deeply shocked I could not understand how my mother could have married that man And when we arrived home I could not help showing my mother how very miserable I was I went straight to my room and lay sobbing on my bed which made my poor mother very unhappy too As she sat beside me holding my hand Mr Murdstone suddenly came in What's this Chara my love he asked sternly Remember you must be firm with the boy I've told you before you're too weak with him Oh yes Edward I'm afraid you're right my mother replied quickly I'm very sorry I'll try to be firmer with him And when she left the room Mr Murdstone whispered angrily to me David do you know what I'll do if you don't obey me I'll beat you like a dog I was still very young and I was very frightened of him If he had said one kind word to me perhaps I would have liked and trusted him and my life would have been different. Instead I hated him for the influence he had over my dear mother who wanted to be kind to me but also wanted to please her new husband That evening Mr Murdstone's sister arrived to help my mother in the house A tall dark lady with a stern frowning face she looked and sounded very much like her brother I thought she was planning to stay with us for a long time and I was right In fact she intended to stay for ever She started work the next morning. Now Clara she said firmly to my mother at breakfast I am here to help you. You re much too pretty and thoughtless to worry about the servants the food and so on So just hand me your keys to all the cupboards and I'll take care of everything for you My poor mother just blushed looked a little ashamed and obeyed. From then on Miss Murdstone took complete control of the house keeping the keys hanging from her waist as she hurried through the house checking that everything was being done just as she wished.

2 David is sent away to school

I was very unhappy during this time. Mr Murdstone insisted on my studying and so my mother gave me lessons In the past she and I had enjoyed our studies together and she had taught me a lot in her gentle way. But now both Mr and Miss Murdstone were present during my lessons and somehow I could not concentrate or remember what I had learnt. My poor mother was very sympathetic and tried to encourage me sometimes even whispering the answer to me. But the Murdstones had sharp ears Clara my love Mr Murdstone used to say crossly. Remember Be firm You re making the boy's character worse by helping him like that Oh Edward, I'm sorry, my mother replied, looking embarrassed and hanging her head like a guilty child One morning when I arrived in the sittingroom as usual for my lesson I saw that Mr Murd stone had a thin stick in his hand. I could not take my eyes off it.

You must be very careful today David, he said with his unpleasant smile holding the stick in both hands I knew what would happen then. A terrible fear took hold of me and all that I had learnt disappeared immediately from my memory so that I could not answer any of my mother's questions. Mr Murdstone got up from his chair. Well David he said heavily, I think you've worried your mother enough today. We'll go upstairs boy. Come and he picked up the stick. I heard my mother crying as we went upstairs. Please Mr Murdstone I cried. Don't beat me I've tried to learn really I have, sir But he did not listen to me. In my bedroom he held my arms and started hitting me with the stick. I managed to get hold of his hand and bit deep into it. He cried out angrily and began to hit me as hard as he could Above the noise of my screams I could hear my mother and Peggotty crying outside the door. Then the next moment he was gone. I heard him lock the door. And I was lying sore and bleeding, on the floor. The whole house seemed suddenly very quiet. I stayed there for a time without moving. In the evening Miss Murdstone brought me some bread and milk which she left on the floor beside me frowning angrily at me as she went out. I was kept locked in that room for five days and nights and saw nobody except Miss Murdstone who brought me food but never spoke to me. To a small boy the five days seemed like years and I can still remember how frightened and guilty I felt But during the fifth night I heard a strange noise at the key-hole. It was Peggotty trying to give me a message

Master David my dear she whispered, sobbing they are going to send you away to boarding school Tomorrow Oh Peggotty I cried. Then I won't see you and mother very often No my love. But don't forget I'll take care of your mother. She needs her cross old Peggotty I'll stay with her although I hate these Murdstones. And remember David, I love you as much as I love your mother and more. And I'll Write to you. Thank you dear Peggotty I whispered back, tears rolling down my face. Will you write to your brother too and Ham and little Emily, and tell them I'm not as bad as the Murdstones think And send my love to them especially little Emily Peggotty promised to do what I asked. The next morning Miss Murdstone told me that because of my wickedness I was going away to school She had already packed my case for me. My mother was only allowed to say a very quick goodbye to me when the horse and cart arrived The driver put my case on the cart and we drove slowly out of Blunderstone. I was still sobbing loudly when suddenly I saw Peggotty running after us on the road. The driver stopped and waited for her. With difficulty she climbed up onto the cart.

Here Master David she cried breathlessly. A little present from me and your dear mother Take care of yourself my dear She put a small purse and a paper bag into my hands and held me so close to her fat body that I thought I would never breathe again. Then she jumped down and ran back along the road to the village

As we continued our journey I dried my tears and looked at what she had given me. The bag was full of Peggotty s special cakes and in the purse were eight bright shilling coins. Thinking of my mother and Peggotty made me start crying again but just then the driver, Mr Barkis, began to talk to me. He was a large red-faced man, who clearly found conversation difficult.

Did she make those cakes he asked slowly having finished the one that I had offered him.

You mean Peggotty sir Yes, she does all our cooking.

Does she replied Mr Barkis with great interest. There was a long silence while he considered his next question

Does she have a young man he asked You know someone who wants to marry her

Peggotty A young man I repeated surprised. Oh no,she's never had any young men.

Ah replied Mr Barkis looking very pleased. Again he thought for a long time before speaking.

Well he said at last, perhaps if you write to her will you be writing to her You could give her a message from me. You could say Barkis is willing Would you do that

Barkis is willing I repeated innocently wondering what the message meant. Yes of course. But you could tell her yourself Mr Barkis, when you return to Blunderstone tomorrow

No no he said, no,you just give her the message. Remember Barkis is willing . After this conversation Mr Barkis was completely silent for the rest of the journey. When we arrived in Yarmouth I bought paper at the hotel and wrote this letter to Peggotty My dear Peggotty I have arrived safely in Yarmouth. Barkis is willing. Please give my love to mother. Yours David P.S. He says it's important Barkis is willing.In Yarmouth I was put on the long distance coach to London and travelled all through the night. At the coach station in London I was collected by a teacher Mr Mell, and taken to Salem House the school which the Murdstones had chosen for me.

The school was a large old building with a dusty playground surrounded by a high brick wall. It looked strangely deserted. I was very surprised to find that none of the boys were there and was told that they were all on holiday and that I had been sent there during the holidays as a punishment for my wickedness. The headmaster and teachers were on holiday too all except for Mr Mell, who had to look after me. I spent a whole month in that miserable place doing my lessons in the dirty empty classroom, which smelt of old food and unwashed boys. Every evening I had to eat my supper with Mr Mell and then go straight to bed. The worst thing was the sign I had to wear round my neck. It said BE CAREFUL HE BITES. I was only allowed to take it off when I went to bed. Although I was extremely lonely and unhappy at this time I was not looking forward to meeting all the other boys. I felt sure they would laugh at me and especially at the sign I was forced to wear. But one day Mr Mell told me that the headmaster Mr Creakle, had returned, and wanted to see me. So I went trembling to his part of the house. I realized at once that Mr Creakle lived much more comfortably than the boys or the teachers. He was a small fat man with a purple nose who was sitting in an armchair with a bottle and a glass in front of him.

So this is the boy who bites, is it he asked unpleasantly. I know your stepfather boy. He's a man of strong character he is. He knows me,and I know him. Do you know me Answer me boy He pulled violently at my ear

Not yet sir, I answered, tears of pain in my eyes. Ah but you soon will Oh yes, I have a strong character too you'll see He banged his hand hard on the table I was very frightened but I made myself ask the question I had been considering for a whole month. Please sir, I'm very sorry for what I did to Mr Murdstone. Could could I take this sign off before the other boys see it Mr Creakle gave a sudden terrible shout and jumped out of his chair. I did not wait to see whether he was going to hit me but ran out of his room and hid in my bed for the next hour. However the boys were not as cruel to me as I had feared. I made a friend almost immediately a boy called Tommy Traddles who was known to be the unluckiest boy in the school. I was also noticed and even smiled on, by the great James Steerforth one of the oldest boys, at least six years older than me. He was a handsome intelligent, curly-haired young man who had become an important figure at the school with great influence over the younger boys.

How much money have you got Copperfield he asked me.

Eight shillings Steerforth I answered remembering the present my mother and Peggotty had given me.

You'd better give it to me. I'll take care of it for you he offered in a friendly way.

I opened Peggotty's purse and turned it upside-down into his hand

Perhaps you'd like to spend some of it now he suggested smiling. A bottle of wine, a tin of biscuits, a few cakes that sort of thing I can go out whenever I like, so I can buy it for you. Ye-es that s very kind of you, I said, although I was a little worried that all my money would disappear. When we went upstairs to bed I realized that all my money had been spent as eight shillings worth of food and drink was laid out on my bed in the moonlight. Of course I did not want to eat and drink it all by myself so I invited Steerforth and the others to help themselves. The boys were very willing and we spent a pleasant evening, sitting on our beds whispering to each other. I discovered that the boys all hated Salem House which they considered one of the worst schools in the country. They especially hated Mr Creakle who was in the habit of beating them regularly with a heavy stick which he carried with him at all times. The only boy he dared not beat was Steerforth. I admired Steerforth even more when I heard this. When we were all too tired to stay awake Steerforth got up to go. Goodnight young Copperfield he said, putting a hand on my head. I'll take care of you

It s very kind of you I replied gratefully.

You haven t got a sister have you he asked sleepily. No I haven't, I answered. What a pity If you had one I'm sure she'd be a pretty, bright-eyed little girl. I would have liked to meet her. I thought of him a lot that night with his laughing, hand-some face and his careless, confident manner. I could never have imagined what a dark shadow he would throw over the lives of people who were dear to me. I stayed at Salem House for three more months. Although one or two of the teachers like Mr Mell, were kind to us boys and tried to teach us properly, we were too afraid of Mr Creakle and his stick to concentrate on our studies. But Tom-my Traddles and I cheered each other up if we were beaten and I was lucky enough to be friendly with the great Steerforth in spite of the difference in our ages. However my home, even with the Murdstones there, seemed a much pleasanter place than school and I was glad when the Christmas holidays arrived and I was allowed to return to Blunderstone. I was a little surprised to find that my mother had a new baby and I could see at once that she was not well. She looked tired and worried and very thin. But she and Peggotty were delighted to see me although they dared not show it if the Murdstones were present. My stepfather and his sister seemed to hate me even more than before if that were possible and they made my life quite miserable whenever they could. In fact I was almost pleased when it was time to return to school and see Traddles and Steerforth again. As the cart drove away I remember my mother standing outside our house with her baby in her arms, smiling sadly at me. That was the last time I saw her and that is how I shall always remember her.

3 David the orphan

Life went on as normal for me at school until my birthday two months later in March. I remember that day very well. It was cold icy weather, and we boys had to blow on our fingers and rub our hands to keep warm in the freezing classrooms. When a message came for me to go and see Mr Creakle I thought that Peggotty must have sent me a birthday present and so I hurried gladly along to his room. But there I realized something unusual had happened because it was Mr Creakle s wife who was waiting to speak to me. David my child, she said kindly, holding my hand, we all have to accept that our loved ones can die at any moment. I looked at her trying to understand what she meant.

I'm sorry to tell you she continued, that your mother is dangerously ill. There was a mist in front of my eyes and suddenly burning tears ran down my face. I knew the truth.

Your mother is dead she said. I was already sobbing loudly and I felt I was an orphan quite alone in the world. Mrs Creakle packed my case herself and sent me home on the coach for the funeral. I did not realize at the time that I would never return to Salem House. When I arrived home Peggotty met me at the door, and we cried miserably in each other s arms. Mr Murdstone seemed very sad and did not speak to me at all. Miss Murdstone, however showed her usual firmness of character which she and her brother were so proud of by checking that I had brought all my clothes back from school. After that she showed no interest in me at all.There was a deathly stillness in the house. Peggotty took me up to the room where my dear mother's dead body lay with my little brother, who had died a few hours after her. Everything was fresh and clean in the room but I could not look at my mother's lovely face, which would never smile at me again without crying. How did it happen Peggotty I asked, sobbing. She was ill for a long time Master David. She got worse after the baby was born you see. She was sometimes unhappy and forgetful but she was always the same to me, her old Peggotty. Those two downstairs often spoke crossly to her and made her sad but she still loved them you know she was so sweet and loving I always sat beside her while she went to sleep. It made her feel better she said. There was a short silence while Peggotty dried her eyes then took both my hands in hers. On the last night she asked me for some water, and then gave me such a patient smile She looked so beautiful The sun was beginning to rise and she put her head on my arm on her stupid cross old Peggotty's arm, and died like an innocent child going to sleep After my mother's funeral I began to wonder what would happen to me. The Murdstones did not even seem to notice that I was in the house. They had told Peggotty to leave as they did not what her as their servant any more so Peggotty was going to her brother's in Yarmouth until she decided what work to do next. She suggested taking me with her for a holiday and to my surprise the Murdstones agreed. So next morning Mr Barkis appeared at the door with his cart and Peggotty's cases were put on it. We climbed up and sat beside him. Peggotty was naturally a little sad to leave her old home where she had been so happy with my mother and me and at first she cried a little. But when Mr Barkis saw her drying her eyes and looking more cheerful he too began to look happier and he whispered to me, Barkis is willing You told her that Aloud he said to Peggotty Are you comfortable

Peggotty laughed and said that she was.

And are you comfortable Master David be asked.

I said that I was. Mr Barkis was so pleased with this conversation that he repeated it many times during the journey and Peggotty and I both had to keep giving him the same answer.

When we arrived in Yarmouth and got down from the cart we said goodbye to Mr Barkis. Daniel and Ham Peggotty were waiting for us. Daniel and Ham were exactly the same as I remembered them cheerful and generous as ever, but little Emily seemed different somehow She was taller and prettier but she did not want to play with me or spend her time with me. I was rather disappointed because I still considered she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen and I thought I was in love with her. Daniel and Ham were very proud of her intelligence and beauty and just smiled when she laughingly refused to sit next to me. But they all listened with interest to my stories of school life at Salem House. I told them about the other boys especially the handsome, clever Steerforth. I admired him so much that I could not stop myself telling them all about him. Suddenly I noticed that Emily was listening eagerly her blue eyes shining and a smile on her lips. She blushed when she saw that we were all looking at her and hid her face behind her hands. Emily's like me said Peggotty kindly, and would like to see David's friend Mr Steerforth. The days passed happily although Emily and I did not play together as we had done before. Mr Barkis was a frequent visitor and soon Peggotty explained to me that she had decided to marry him. I ll love you just as much David, my dear, when I'm married she told me holding me close to her. And I'll be able to come and see you in the cart any time I like. Barkis is a good man and I'm sure I'll be happy with him. He s got a nice little house and I'll keep a little bedroom there for you to use whenever you want. You'll always be welcome to come and stay So when I returned to Blunderstone Peggotty had become Mrs Barkis and I was glad to think of her in her own house with a husband to take care of her. At home my stepfather and his sister did not seem pleased to see me and were clearly trying to find a way of getting rid of me. As they considered school too expensive they finally arranged for me to start work although I was still only ten years old, and very small for my age. I was sent to London to work in a warehouse in the east of the city near the river. My job was to wash bottles which would then be filled with wine or to pack the filled bottles in cases. I was paid only six shillings a week. There were several other boys who worked with me but I was the only one who had been to school. All the warehouse workers were coarse rough people, who were used to working in dirty conditions for long hours. No words can describe the horror I felt when I realized what my life was going to be like from now on. I was deeply ashamed at having such a job and I was also afraid that I would forget everything I had learnt from my mother and my teachers. I would never find friends like Traddles or Steerforth or be able to get a better position in life. It was an extremely unhappy time for me. My stepfather had asked Mr Quinion the manager, to find me somewhere to stay in London so at the end of my first day I was called to Mr Quinion's office and introduced to an important-looking rather fat, middle-aged man with a head as bald as an egg. His name was Mr Micawber and he offered me a spare room in the house he was renting with his family. I agreed to take it and Mr Micawber and I walked home together. The Micawbers were obviously very poor but tried hard not to let this show. The house had several floors of rather dirty empty rooms with very little furniture. Mrs Micawber was a thin tired-looking woman with a baby in her arms. The baby was one of twins and in all my experience of the family, I never saw Mrs Micawber without at least one of the twins. They also had a four-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. Their only servant was a young orphan girl. I never thought Mrs Micawber told me sadly as she showed me my room when I lived with Mother and Father, before I was married that I would ever be as poor as this. But as Mr Micawber is for the moment in difficulties I must of course accept the situation. I'm afraid he owes a lot of money but his creditors will just have to wait You can't get blood out of a stone nor can anyone get any money at all out of Mr Micawber at present I soon realized that neither Mr nor Mrs Micawger had ever been able to manage money.The little that Mr Micawber earned was not enough either to keep his creditors happy, or to pay for the needs of his growing family. So his creditors were constantly at the door demanding payment, and meals were rather irregular in the Micawber house. Mr and Mrs Micawber's moods varied according to the situation. One moment Mr Micawber looked extremely miserable and depressed the next he was brushing his shoes and singing a song before going out. Mrs Micawber's character was similar to her hus band's. Sometimes I came home to find her lying on the floor with her hair undone looking wild and desperate, but an hour later she was cheerfully eating a good supper. I lived with these kind people for several months and became very fond of them. I bought my own food out of my wages because I knew the Micawbers hardly ever had enough for themselves and I lived mostly on bread and cheese. As they were so short of money once or twice I offered to lend them a few shillings which they refused to accept.But at last Mr Micawber's creditors became tired of waiting for their money and went to the police, who arrested him for debt. He was taken to the King's Prison and asked me to visit him there. When I arrived I was shown to his room, where he was waiting for me. He seemed quite brokenhearted and even cried a little.

This is a black day for me Copperfield he sobbed. I hope my mistakes will be a warning to young people like you Remember if a man earns twenty pounds a year, and spends nineteen pounds and nineteen shillings the result is happiness. But if he spends twenty pounds and one shilling the result is misery By the way Copperfield could you lend me a shilling for some beer Mrs Micawber will pay you back as soon as you arrive home. And when the beer arrived he appeared much more cheerful. We had a pleasant evening telling stories and jokes. He stayed in prison for several weeks and I visited him regularly I was delighted to hear on one of my visits that he would soon be free as his creditors had unwillingly accepted the fact that he had no way of paying his debts. I gave the news to Mrs Micawber when I returned home. We celebrated by sharing our supper and a glass of wine together. May I ask what you will do madam, when Mr Micawber is free I asked politely. My family said Mrs Micawber grandly, believe that Mr Micawber should move to the country to Devon, and carry on his business interests there. Mr Micawber is a very clever man Master Copperfield.

I'm sure he is I agreed. Although they haven't found anything exactly right for him yet my family think he should be ready, in Devon, in case something turns up. She put down her empty glass. And will you be going with him madam I asked. I must I will Mrs Micawber's voice rose to a scream. He is my life My love My husband The father of my children I will never desert Mr Micawber You can't ask me to desert him I felt very uncomfortable as I had not asked her to desert him at all but she soon became calm again and finished her supper.I was becoming used to the Micawbers changes of mood. I now realized that when the Micawbers left London as they were planning to do I would be very lonely in the city. I still hated my work in the warehouse and wanted to make a better life for myself.I thought about it for a long time and decided there was only one thing I could do. I would try to find my one surviving relation my father's aunt, Miss Betsey Trotwood and ask her to help me. I knew she lived somewhere near Dover in Kent.I could go there by coach, be-cause Peggotty had once sent me ten shillings to keep in case I ever needed it.The time had come to use that money.

4 David and his aunt

So after helping the Micawbers to pack their few clothes and waving goodbye to them at the coach sta-tion on their way to Devon I went to the warehouse for my last day at work I did not tell anyone I would not be coming back the following week. In the evening I packed my case and put the ten shillings in the little purse Peggotty had once given me I looked around for someone to help me with my case which was rather heavy for me, and saw a tall young man with a horse and cart passing by

Could you please take my case to the coach station I asked him politely The young man put the case into his cart. Then looking round quickly to make sure there were no witnesses he pushed me roughly against the wall and took my purse out of my trembling hand. Before I could say a word he had driven the horse and cart down the road and out of sight round the corner.I knew I would never see him my case or my ten shillings again I sat down on the pavement and cried. Now I had lost ev erything I owned in the world and had no money for the coach fare to Dover In the end I decided I would have to walk there and I started the long journey. It took me six days to cover the hundred kilometres as I got tired very easily, and had to rest I sold my jacket for a shilling so that I could buy bread and milk on the way and at night I slept in disused farm buildings or under trees Sometimes I was afraid of the dangerous looking beggars and thieves I met on the road but I knew I had to keep going As I walked I thought of my mother's gentle pretty face I felt sure she would approve of what I was doing and that encouraged me to continue

But when I arrived in Dover it seemed a much larger town than I had imagined I spent a whole morning asking people if they knew where Miss Betsey Trotwood lived Finally I found someone who recognized the name and showed me the way to her house I stood at her front door in the neat little garden for a few moments trembling with fear and wondering what my aunt would think of me My face and hands were dirty my hair was unbrushed and my clothes were torn and dusty Perhaps she wouldn't even want to invite me into her house

Just then a handsome but strict looking grey haired woman came out of the door towards me I knew she must be my aunt

Go away 'she said crossly I don't allow anyone to walk on my grass

Please madam I said bravely please aunt

WHAT cried Miss Betsey in great surprise

Please aunt I'm your nephew

Good heavens she cried and sat down rather suddenly on the grass

I'm David Copper field your nephew's son of Blunder stone in Suffolk where you came on the night I was born and saw my dear mother I've been very unhappy since she died My stepfather sent me to work in London and I hated it and ran away and someone stole my case and my money and I've had to walk all the way and I haven't slept in a bed for six nights Here my selfcontrol broke and I fell to the ground sobbing bitterly

My aunt jumped to her feet picked me up and took me into her sitting-room where she mixed some medicine in a glass and made me drink it She also wrapped me in a large blanket and put me on her sofa Then she rang the bell for her servant Janet

Please ask Mr Dick to come here Janet she said

A tall grey haired pleasant looking gentleman entered a few minutes later laughing rather strangely to himself

Now Mr Dick said my aunt firmly don't be a fool because we all know you're intelligent Mr Dick looked very serious at once No doubt you remember that I had a nephew David Copperfield Well this is his son He has run away

Oh really David's son Run away Well said Mr Dick

Now the question is Mr Dick what shall I do with him

Well Mr Dick looked vacantly at me and then sudden ly his eyes shone If I were you I would wash him

Well done Mr Dick You always have the right answer said my aunt delightedly

And so they washed me and gave me clean clothes and deli cious food While I was eating my aunt stared at me occa sionally whispering Good heavens to herself When she could see that I felt better she asked me question after ques tion and I told her the story of my life

Good heavens she said again when I had finished Why did your poor mother marry again What a terrible mis take

Perhaps she was in love suggested Mr Dick smiling his rather foolish smile

In love said Miss Betsey crossly Perhaps the poor silly girl thought she was in love But now Mr Dick another question What should we do with the boy

Well 'said Mr Dick thinking Then an idea suddenly came to him You should put him to bed

Thank you again Mr Dick for your common sense said my aunt happily Janet put the boy to bed

And so in a comfortable clean little bed in a pleasant airy room at the top of Miss Betsey Trotwood's house I floated away into the world of my dreams

At breakfast next morning I bravely asked my aunt Are you have you what's going to happen to me

I've written to your stepfather she replied

Oh Are you going to send me back to the Murdstones Please don't aunt Please let me stay here I cried trembling

I don't know what I'll do yet We'll have to wait and see she answered firmly

This news made me very depressed but there was nothing I could do about it and my aunt soon began to talk about some thing else

What do you think of Mr Dick child

He looks a little well mad Is he mad aunt

Well his family called him mad and wanted to lock him up for ever But I met him and thought I still think he's an extremely sensible intelligent person So I offered to take care of him and he's lived in my house for ten years Nobody knows what useful advice he's given me I trust him com pletely

When I heard how generous my aunt had been to poor harmless Mr Dick I began to understand her character better In spite of her stern appearance and frequent crossness she was very kind to people who needed her help I hoped she would be kind to me

Several days later I was looking out of the sitting room window when I saw Mr and Miss Murdstone riding into my aunt's garden My aunt had seen them too and hurried out waving her umbrella angrily at them and shouting Go away Don't ride on my grass Who do you think you are Go away I tell you

Aunt I cried out They're Mr and Miss Murdstone

I don't care she shouted Nobody is allowed to ride on my grass And she went back into her house banging the door behind her The Murdstones had to lead their horses out of the garden and then return to ring the doorbell They looked very uncomfortable and unsure of themselves Janet showed them into the sitting room where my aunt Mr Dick and I were waiting

Miss Trotwood began Mr Murdstone stepping forward

Excuse me said my aunt sharply I imagine you are the Mr Murdstone who married my nephew's widow In my opinion it would have been much better if you had never mar ried the poor Child

I agree with you Miss Trotwood said Miss Murdstone smiling falsely My brother would certainly have been happi er if he hadn't married her because I consider poor dear Clara was in fact just a child

Fortunately said my aunt you and I madam are too old and plain for anyone to say that about us

Miss Murdstone did not seem eager to agree to this Her brother however wanted to get down to business

Miss Trotwood he said a little crossly having received your letter I've come to explain to you in case you haven't realized it yet that this boy is extremely wicked and violent Both my sister and I have tried to change his character but sadly we have failed

I must add said Miss Murdstone that of all the boys in the world I believe this is the worst boy

I see said my aunt Now tell me has David inherited any money from his father or mother

No madam answered Mr Murdstone My dear Clara naturally trusted me to take care of David and I'm ready to do that if he comes back with me now But I alone shall de cide what to do with him Miss Trotwood understand that I am here for the first and last time to take him away If you decide to keep him with you you keep him for ever

What do you say David asked my aunt turning to me

Please don't let me go with them aunt I begged They've always been unkind to me and they made my mother very unhappy I'll be so miserable if I have to go back with them

What do you think Mr Dick asked my aunt

Mr Dick thought for a moment Get a suit of clothes made for him immediately he said

What would I do without you Mr Dick asked my aunt shaking his hand enthusiastically Then she turned to Mr Murdstone

You'd better go I'll keep the boy and take my chance with him I don't believe a word of your story Do you think I don't know how you broke that poor girl's heart And how you hated her son and punished him for it I can see by your face that I'm right We all stared at Mr Murdstone It was true that his face was white and he was breathing fast Good bye sir and goodbye to you too madam added my aunt turning suddenly to Miss Murdstone If I see you riding on my grass again I'll knock your hat right off your head

The Murdstones said nothing in reply to these fierce words but walked quickly out of the house

Thank you thank you aunt I cried I'll do my best to make you proud of me and I kissed her many times

Mr Dick you and I will adopt this boy together said my aunt her stern expression softening into a smile

And so a new life began for me I was soon able to forget the warehouse and the Murdstones in learning to please my aunt and to play games with Mr Dick who spent much of his time with me

But one day my aunt suggested that I should go to boarding school in Canterbury I was delighted as I was eager to con tinue my studies and Canterbury was very near my aunt's home in Dover So the next day my aunt and I went to Can terbury where I admired the beautiful old buildings in the an cient city centre

Is it a large school aunt I asked politely

I haven't decided which school you'll go to yet she replied First we're going to ask my old friend Mr Wickfield's advice about it He lives and works in Canterbury you see

Soon we stopped in front of a very old house with a very clean front doorstep and fresh white curtains at the windows A strange-looking person dressed in black with short red hair and a very thin white face came out to meet us I thought he must be a servant He was about fifteen but looked much older

Is Mr Wickfield at home Uriah Heep asked my aunt

He is madam replied Uriah smiling unpleasantly He showed us into the sitting-room where I noticed two large paintings on the wall one of a grey-haired gentleman and the other of a lady with a sweet gentle face Just then a gentle man entered the room looking a little older than his picture I soon discovered he was Mr Wickfield my aunt's lawyer

Mr Wickfield said my aunt this is my nephew I have adopted him and I want to send him to a good boarding school here in Canterbury Can you help me find a school for him

Mr Wickfield thought for a moment There's a very good school I can recommend Dr Strong's but the boy can't board there and it's too far to travel from Dover every day However he could live here if you liked in my house There's plenty of room for him

That's very kind of you Mr Wickfield I'll pay you for his food of course said my aunt

Come and meet Agnes who takes care of everything and manages the house said Mr Wickfield We all went upstairs to another sitting-room prettily furnished where a girl of my own age was sitting On her face I saw immediately the beau tiful calm expression of the lady in the painting downstairs and I knew she must be Mr Wickfield's daughter Agnes When I saw the way Mr Wickfield looked at Agnes and held her hand I realized that she was the only thing that made life worth living for him The lady in the painting was her mother who had died some years before and Agnes was now in complete charge of the house She welcomed me warmly as a guest and showed me the comfortable bedroom I would sleep in My aunt was very happy to leave me in the care of Mr Wickfield and his daughter

I must leave now David she told me Mr Wickfield will take you to school tomorrow and make all the arrange ments I'm sure you will work hard and do well

Thank you aunt I said trying not to cry And give my love to Mr Dick And thank you again

When she had gone I dried my tears and spent a pleasant evening with the Wickfields We ate supper and talked in the pretty little sitting room Agnes played the piano and tried to amuse her father but he often looked serious and rather sad During the evening he drank a good deal of wine I wondered why he seemed unhappy

The next day I had my first experience of a well organized school It could not have been more different from Salem House The headmaster Dr Strong was a gentle kind man who enjoyed teaching and never punished anybody I soon made friends with the other boys and as time went on with the teachers too But although I liked school very much I was always happy to return to the Wickfields quiet house every evening There Agnes used to help me with my studies and listen sympathetically to my problems and her father always seemed pleased to see me I often wrote to my aunt and Peg gotty and Mr Dick came to visit me once a week

The strangest person in my new life was Uriah Heep Soon after I arrived in Canterbury we had a conversation one evening He was doing a lot of Mr Wickfield's work and was working late in his small office just off the hall of the Wick fields house

Come in come in Master Copperfield he cried when he saw me passing the door I entered and found him reading a large dusty book and making careful notes in a notebook

What are you studying Uriah I asked politely

I'm going to be a lawyer he replied rubbing his thin hands together and smiling his oily smile

You're Mr Wickfield's assistant aren't you Perhaps one day you'll be his partner I said trying to make conversation

Oh no Master Copperfield cried Uriah rolling his eyes upwards I could never rise so high No I'm much too humble for that But thank you Master Copperfield for thinking kindly of me And may I say that if ever you have the time and I'm sure a young gentleman like you is much too busy to spare the time for a poor person like me my mother and I would be glad to offer you a cup of tea at our humble home

Of course if I have time I answered and left the room quickly I did not feel comfortable with him for some reason

But the following week he invited me to tea again and I did not want to appear rude so I agreed That evening he and I walked to the small house where he lived with his mother It was a warm day and we were drinking our tea near the open door when a gentleman I recognized passed by It was Mr Mi cawber He saw me sitting near the door and called out Cop perfield Is it really you

I was delighted to see him again and Mrs Heep invited him in for some tea I had to introduce him to the Heeps but I did not think that Uriah would be a good influence on Mr Micaw ber However I was interested to discover that the Micawbers were now living in Canterbury as nothing had turned up in Devon They seemed to be very short of money again and surrounded by creditors as usual I left the Heeps house as soon as possible taking Mr Micawber with me as I did not want him to tell Uriah all about my life at the warehouse in London

And so the years passed I learnt everything that Dr Strong and his teachers could teach me and at seventeen came to the end of my schooldays My aunt suggested that before decid ing what profession to choose I should spend a month in Lon don or travelling round the country This would give me time to consider my next step I agreed enthusiastically and al though I was sorry to say goodbye to my sweet friend Agnes and her father I was looking forward to leading the life of an independent young gentleman

5 David meets old friends again

I decided to go to London first to stay at a hotel for a few nights and see all the sights of that great city I knew it would be very different from the last time I was in London when I was working at the warehouse Now I was adult and educated and had money

The hotel I chose was called the Golden Cross and because I looked so young I was given a very small dark room in the roof But I did not feel confident enough to complain

That evening I was returning from the theatre when I recognized someone going into the hotel I could not prevent my self from saying at once Steerforth Do you remember me

He stared at me for a moment Then he cried Good heavens It's little Copperfield

I was so delighted to see him that I held both his hands saying My dear Steerforth you have no idea how pleased I am to see you again I remembered how much I had admired him and all my love for him came back I had to brush away the tears from my eyes

Don't cry Copperfield old boy he said kindly I'm glad to see you too What are you doing here

I've just finished school and my aunt has sent me to Lon don to look around before deciding on a profession What about you Steerforth

Well I'm studying at Oxford University but nothing ex citing ever happens there That's why I'm in London for a few days But it's boring here too isn't it

In London I asked surprised I think it's wonderful There's so much to do and see I've just been to the theatre the actors were excellent and

David David laughed Steerforth It does me good to see your fresh innocent face so full of excitement Now let me see which room are staying in

Number 44 It's rather high up I confessed blushing

They've put you in number 44 I'll soon change that And when Steerforth complained to the manager I was imme diately given a large airy comfortable room on the first floor next to his That night as I fell asleep I thought happily of the next few days which Steerforth and I were planning to spend together

A week passed very quickly with visits to the theatre the museums and the zoo We went sightseeing riding swimming and boating Steerforth was the perfect companion to have and I admired him even more than before In fact I loved him with all my heart

One day I said to him You know Steerforth I really must go and visit my mother's old servant Peggotty She was very good to me when I was a child

Yes David I remember you told me She lives in Yarmouth now doesn't she Why don't we go there together

Oh yes Steerforth You'd enjoy meeting her brothef and all the family They're very kind good people

Even if they are only working people said Steerforth I looked quickly at him to see what he meant but he was smiling at me so I knew he was joking and I smiled too

We travelled to Yarmouth by coach and when we arrived Steerforth stayed at the hotel while I went to Barkis's house to find Peggotty When I knocked at the door Peggotty opened it and did not recognize me for a moment I had continued to write to her regularly but we had not seen each other for seven years and I was no longer the small boy she remembered But when she realized I was her Master David she sobbed and sobbed with delight holding me in her arms as she had always done Soon she was calmer and we talked about the events of the last few years I heard that she was very happy with Mr Barkis who however was ill in bed at the time She was so pleased to see me that she insisted I should sleep at her house during my stay in Yarmouth in the little bedroom she had al ways kept for me

The next day I took Steerforth with me to visit Daniel Peg gotty It was a dark and windy winter evening As we came closer to the old boat we heard happy voices and laughter in side I opened the door and suddenly I was surrounded by Daniel Ham and Emily all looking very surprised

Look It's Master David Look how he's grown

And for a moment we were all shaking hands and talking and laughing at the same time I did not forget to introduce Steerforth They welcomed him warmly as my best friend

Well cried Daniel Peggotty his large face red and shin ing with delight It's wonderful Master David that you two gentlemen have come here tonight of all nights The best night of my life Because tonight gentlemen my little Emily and he took Emily's small white hand in his rough red one and placed it on his heart has agreed to become Ham's wife

I congratulate you with all my heart said Steerforth politely to Ham without taking his eyes off Emily who was blushing prettily

Master David knows how I love this girl continued old Daniel and my dearest wish was for her to have a good husband to take care of her And there's no one I trust more than Ham He's only a rough sailor like me but he's honest and sincere and I know she'll come to no harm while he lives

Meanwhile Ham was blushing too I did not know what to say unsure whether I still loved Emily and was therefore jealous of Ham or whether I was glad they were going to be happy together But steerforth always knew the right thing to say and with a few well-chosen words he made us all feel much more comfortable

We spent the rest of the evening very pleasantly telling stories and singing songs and it was midnight when Steerforth and I left the old boat

Well said Steerforth to me as we walked across the sand in the cold night air What a lovely girl And what a coarse young man she's engaged to

I was shocked by these unexpectedly cold words But when I turned to him and saw him smiling I replied warmly Ah Steerforth You pretend to laugh at people who are poorer or less educated than yourself but I've just seen you spend the whole evening with the Peggotty family making them happy I know you understand and love them and I admire you all the more for it

He stopped and looked at me saying rather sadly David you're serious aren't you I wish I were as good as you

For the next two weeks I was often with Peggotty and Barkis while Steerforth went sailing or fishing with Daniel and Ham or found other things to do so I did not see very much of him Finally we decided to return to London

While we were travelling back on the coach I turned to say something and was surprised to see how miserable he looked

Oh David he said unhappily I wish I could control myself better I hate myself sometimes

Steerforth What can you mean I cried You're the best the most intelligent the kindest of men

Thank you David he said shaking his head but you don't know how bad I am

Bad I repeated My dear Steerforth Don't say that I know your character well and I'm proud to call you my friend

In a little while his mood changed and he became cheerful again I soon forgot his words but I remembered them later

In London I discovered that my aunt had arrived at the Colden Cross Hotel and had booked a room there for several days We were delighted to see each other and had a long conversation that evening She had come to ask me a particular question

David she said very seriously I've been thinking about your future profession How would you feel about becoming a lawyer

I thought for a moment Well aunt it sounds a very good idea I confess I hadn't considered it before but I think I'd like it

Very good said my aunt jumping up In that case let's go immediately to see Mr Spenlow He's a partner in an important law firm and I think he'll agree to train you We'll have to pay him of course but after several years you'll be a properly trained lawyer and be able to earn your own money

And so we carried out this plan My aunt paid Mr Spenlow's firm a thousand pounds and I promised to work hard and do my best to become a successful lawyer Before she returned to Dover my aunt rented a small flat for me at the top of a house near the lawcourts and I moved in at once

At first it seemed very exciting to walk through the busy streets after a long day in the courts or at Mr Spenlow's dusty office and know that I had my own home to return to But when I had climbed up all the stairs and entered my sitting room it no longer seemed so exciting In fact my flat looked empty and depressing So after two days of loneliness I was very glad to receive my first visitor Steerforth and because I was so happy to see him I invited him and two friends of his to dinner the next evening

As it was my first dinner party I did not know what to buy but I ordered cooked dishes of chicken and fish from the restaurant bought cheese and fruit from the market and had a large number of bottles of wine delivered I was quite fright ened by how much money I had spent but when Steerforth and his friends arrived I soon became more cheerful The party was a great success and we all enjoyed ourselves very much We ate and drank and smoked and drank again I was constantly opening bottles of wine and became unusually talkative I began to feel rather strange and when I caught sight of myself in a mirror I seemed very pale I had to confess to myself that I looked drunk

Someone suggested going to the theatre and in a kind of mist we left my flat and walked through the streets Steerforth was holding my arm and laughing Then a man in a little box looked out of the fog and took money from somebody Soon we were sitting high up in a very hot very crowded theatre There were bright lights and there was music but I could not understand what anyone was saying and the whole building seemed to swim in front of my eyes

Then someone suggested going to visit some friends in an other part of the theatre so we went downstairs Suddenly I saw quite clearly Agnes Wickfield sitting with a lady and gentleman She was looking at me with a surprised expression on her face

Good heavens I cried Agnes You're in London

Quiet she whispered People are trying to listen to the actors You'll disturb them Then she added kindly David please do what I say Ask your friends to take you home

I had always taken Agnes's advice and I did so this time I do not remember how I got home but I do remember Steer forth helping me to undress and get into bed What a terrible sleepless night I spent How ill I felt How dry my mouth was But the next morning I felt even worse I was so miser able and ashamed that I had been so stupid and that Agnes had seen me drunk I could not even apologize to her because I did not know where she was staying in London I spent the whole day with my head in my hands in my dirty smoky room surrounded by empty wine bottles

But the next day a note was delivered to my flat It was from Agnes asking me to visit her at the house where she was staying I went straight there after my day's work at the office

She looked so quiet and good and reminded me so much of my happy schooldays in Canterbury that I could not help crying

I'm so sorry Agnes I said that you saw me like that I wish I were dead

David don't be unhappy she said cheerfully You know you can trust me and I'll always be your friend

I took her hand and kissed it Agnes you're my good angel

She shook her head No David but if I were I'd warn you to stay away from your bad angel

My dear Agnes I cried Do you mean Steerforth

I do David she replied looking firmly at me

Agnes you're wrong He is my trusted friend He helps and guides me It wasn't his fault that I got drunk you know

I wasn't thinking of that I judge him from what you've told me about him and your character and his influence over you Agnes spoke very seriously and her words went straight to my heart I'm certain I'm right You've made a dangerous friend David because you're so trusting Please remember what I say and forgive me for saying it

I will if you forgive me for getting drunk

Agnes agreed smiling and then said suddenly Have you seen Uriah Heep

No I replied Is he in London What's he doing here

I'm worried David answered Agnes with sadness in her beautiful eyes I think he's going to be Father's partner

I remembered Uriah Heep's oily smile and how uncomfort able he always used to make me feel

What That creature He's so unpleasant You must pre vent your father from agreeing to it Agnes

Agnes smiled miserably My poor father has no choice You know how unhappy he has often been And of course you've seen him drinking You see he loved my mother very much and when she died he didn't care so much about his work That's when he started drinking Uriah's very clever he knows all this and he's been very useful to Father doing all the work that Father had forgotten or didn't want to do Father really needs Uriah now to keep his business going And Uriah himself pretends to be humble and grateful but in fact he's in a strong position and is insisting on becoming a partner Father is ashamed of himself but he has to agree Poor Father I'd do anything to help him any thing And Agnes sobbed bitterly

I had never seen Agnes cry before It made me so sad that I could only say helplessly My dear Agnes Please don't cry However in a few minutes she was calm again and I was able to leave her promising to visit her and her father in Canter bury very soon

6 David falls in love

A gnes had asked me to be polite to Uriah if I met him and so when I saw him the next day near the law courts I was careful not to offend him He looked even stranger than before with his small evil head and long thin body and his wide oily smile When we shook hands I no ticed how cold and wet his hand felt just like a fish

Would you would you like to come to my rooms for coffee Uriah I offered trying to hide my horror of him

Oh Master Copperfield I mean Mister Copperfield I should say now How kind of you I'm too humble to expect such kindness But I would like that

And when we reached my flat he looked at me with an unpleasantly confident smile and said Perhaps you've heard that I'm going to become Mr Wickfield's partner Mr Cop perfield

Yes I replied Agnes has told me about it

Ah I'm glad to hear that Miss Agnes knows about it he answered Thank you for that Mr Copperfield

I was annoyed with myself for mentioning Agnes's name and hated hearing him say it but I said nothing and drank my coffee

You said once Mr Copperfield continued Uriah rubbing his hands together happily that perhaps I'd be Mr Wickfield's partner one day It was kind of you to say so A humble person like me remembers things like that And now it's true I'm glad to think I've been able to help poor Mr Wickfield Oh how very careless he has been If I hadn't been his assistant he would certainly have lost his business his house and all his money by now Of course I'm helping him because I admire him and not only him

Suddenly although the room was warm an icy coldness spread through my body as I stared into his cruel little face

Miss Agnes is looking beautiful at the moment isn't she he went on smiling horribly Mr Copperfield I trust you because as you know I've always liked you although I'm so humble and you're a gentleman So I'd like to tell you my little secret In spite of my low position I love Miss Agnes I've given my heart to her and I hope to marry her one day

There was a purple mist in front of my eyes I wanted to hit his ugly face or stab a knife right into his wicked heart I was almost mad with anger But I thought of Agnes's request and I managed to control myself

Have have you spoken to Agnes about your your love I asked as calmly as I could

Oh no Mr Copperfield I'm waiting for the right moment Perhaps I'll ask her when I become her father's partner She'll think kindly of me you see when she realizes how much her father needs me She loves him so much Ah what a good daughter my Agnes is And what an excellent wife she'll be to me

Dear sweet Agnes my adopted sister I did not know any man good enough to be her husband Could she ever marry this worthless insect When Uriah left my flat I spent a sleepless night worrying about what I should do In the end I decided to say nothing to Agnes about Uriah's plan as she already had enough to worry about

A year had passed since I first started work in Mr Spenlow's firm I often went to court with him and began to understand the details of some of the most difficult cases Mr Spenlow was kind to me and occasionally talked to me not only about law but also about other matters I discovered that his wife had died and that he lived in a large country house just outside London with his only daughter and her paid companion One day he invited me to his house for the weekend and I accepted gratefully So on Friday evening Mr Spenlow's coach and horses drove us to the house

When I saw the Spenlows home I realized how rich Mr Spenlow must be It was a lovely old building with large gar dens As soon as we entered Mr Spenlow asked one of the servants Where's Miss Dora

Dora I thought What a beautiful name We went in to the sitting room and I suppose Mr Spenlow introduced me I did not notice because nothing mattered at that moment I just stared stupidly at his daughter Dora lost in wonder at her beauty and unable to say anything I had fallen in love in a second

As I stared I heard a voice speaking to me but it was not Dora's It was her companion whom I had not noticed at all while Mr Spenlow was making the introductions When I saw that the companion was Miss Murdstone I was surprised certainly but nothing could take my attention away from Dora for more than a second or two

Mr Spenlow explained that Miss Murdstone had been kind enough to come and look after his poor motherless daughter and to be her confidential friend and companion But it seemed to me that Dora was neither friendly nor confidential towards her stern companion

As for me the rest of the weekend passed in a kind of fog We ate meals and went for walks People spoke to me and I answered But I have no idea what I actually said All I re member was Dora's golden hair and Dora's blushing face and Dora's beautiful blue eyes Occasionally I was lucky enough to speak to her alone and then I was so shy that I blushed as much as Dora herself I was very jealous of the little dog that she carried everywhere with her Sometimes I thought she liked me a little and at other times I was sure she would never love me I was wildly desperately in love

I had wondered if Miss Murdstone would try and blacken my name with the Spenlows but on that first evening she had taken me to one side

David Copperfield she said coldly I see no need for either of us to speak about the past to anyone here I imagine we are agreed on that

Certainly ma am We are agreed on that although I shall never change my opinion of you

I put Miss Murdstone out of my mind and for several weeks after meeting Dora I lived in a dream I did my work automatically and I never stopped thinking of her The greatest happiness I could imagine was being engaged to Dora I dared not hope that one day we would be married

While walking round London one day hoping to meet Dora out shopping I met my old schoolfriend Tommy Traddles He was living in the city like me and was also studying to become a lawyer I arranged to visit him and went to his house after work the next day He lived in one room in a rented house in a very poor part of the city His room was small and almost empty

Copperfield I'm glad to see you he said warmly you can see I haven't got much furniture but I'm hoping to earn more money later when I've finished my studies

Didn't you have a rich uncle Traddles I asked

Yes but I've always been unlucky you know He decided he didn't like me so he didn't leave me anything when he died I'm really very poor and I have to do several jobs to pay for my studies Traddles looked surprisingly cheerful But I must tell you Copperfield as you're an old friend that I'm engaged To a lovely girl who comes from a large family and lives in Devon

I was thinking of Dora as I shook hands with him and congratulated him enthusiastically Will you get married soon I asked

No she's very poor too so we'll have to wait a long time until we've saved enough money She's such a dear girl Copperfield She says she'll wait for me until she's sixty if necessary And I'm quite happy here with the people who rent the house the Micawbers are very kind

Who did you say I cried The Micawbers I know them

Just then Mr Micawber himself knocked at the door and entered His stomach was a little fatter and his face a little older than before but he looked as confident as ever I went up to him and shook his hand

How are you Mr Micawber I asked Do you remember me

Is it possible Can it be Have I the pleasure of seeing my old friend Copperfield again he replied a smile spreading over his large face He turned to call downstairs My dear Come and meet this gentleman my love

When Mrs Micawber came in she was also delighted to see me and we talked for some time about the twins and the other children and her husband's business interests But this conversation soon made Mr Micawber rather depressed

You see Copperfield he said miserably nothing has turned up yet Sometimes I wonder whether anything ever will turn up I can't pay for our food or even our water It's hard enough for me to accept the situation but how can I expect my dear wife to live like this Perhaps it would have been better if I had never asked her to marry me He put his head in his hands

Micawber cried his wife How can you say that You know I have always loved and admired you and always will love and admire you My dear husband And they fell into each other's arms sobbing on each other's shoulders In a few moments they had both dried their eyes and looked quite cheerful again I realized that the Micawbers had not changed at all but this quick change of mood was rather a surprise for Traddles

Before I left I made sure I had a word in private with my old schoolfriend Traddles I whispered take my advice don't lend Mr Micawber any money He's got a lot of debts

Traddles looked uncomfortable Thank you Copperfield he whispered in reply but I've already lent him some I don't know whether he'll give it back you know how unlucky I am

When I got back to my rooms I found Steer forth waiting for me there I thought of Agnes's warning about him but when I saw his open good looking face I could not believe he could be a bad influence on anyone However there was something rather strange in his manner that night Sometimes he seemed quite depressed almost desperate but a minute later he was laughing wildly and I had no idea why he was like that

I've just been to Yarmouth David he told me

Oh I replied You've seen the Peggotty family I expect

I haven't seen much of them but I have got some news for you It's about old Barkis I'm afraid his illness has got much worse and the doctor thinks he'll die very soon

Oh dear I said Poor Peggotty will be so sad

Yes it's bad luck replied Steerforth carelessly But people die in this world every minute I'm not afraid of death I want to live life in my own way and nobody can stop me He threw his head back proudly I looked into his handsome face wondering why he was so excited which was unusual for him

Steerforth I think I'll have to go to Yarmouth myself I said Perhaps I can help Peggotty at this difficult time

Smiling he put his hands on my shoulders I wish I could be as good as you David promise me that if anything ever happens to separate us you'll think of me at my best Promise me that

Steerforth you have no best or worst for me I answered You will always have your place in my heart

And as he turned to go he gave me his hand and smiled in his old friendly way That is how I like to remember him now that I shall never touch his hand again or see him smile

When I arrived in Yarmouth I went straight to Barkis's house In the sitting room I found Daniel Ham and Emily Ham was standing by the door while Emily was sobbing in Daniel's arms None of them seemed surprised to see me

Emily's very young Master David explained Daniel It's hard for her to accept death That's why she's crying Now cheer up Emily my dear Ham has come to take you home what's that He bent his grey head down to hear her whispered reply You want to stay here with your old uncle But you should go with Ham he'll be your husband soon

That's all right said Ham If it makes Emily happy it'll make me happy I'll go home alone He went over to Emily and gave her a gentle kiss She seemed to turn away from him a little As Ham went out I went upstairs to see poor Barkis

He was lying unconscious in bed looking very pale and ill Peggotty was sitting beside him She jumped up and took me delightedly in her arms just as she used to do Then she turned to her husband Barkis my dear she said almost cheerfully here's Master David who brought us together you remember He carried your messages for you Can you speak to him

Barkis lay silently there not moving We sat beside him all through that long night In the early morning he suddenly opened his eyes reached out his hand to me and said clearly With a pleasant smile Barkis is willing And then he closed his eyes and died

He was a good man said Peggotty with tears in her eyes I shall miss him

I was able to help Peggotty with the arrangements for the funeral Barkis was buried in Blunderstone churchyard close to my mother and little brother We discovered that Barkis had saved quite a lot of money which he left to Peggotty and Daniel So I knew that Peggotty would not need to work in future

On the day before the funeral we all arranged to meet at the old boat It was my last evening in Yarmouth as I was re turning to London the following day When I arrived I was surprised to see that Ham and Emily were not there Peggotty was feeling more cheerful now and Daniel was talking to her Just then Ham came to the door

Master David come outside a minute would you he asked I stepped outside and Ham shut the door carefully It was raining heavily and as we stood on the lonely beach I noticed how very pale Ham's face was

Ham I cried What's the matter

Master David he sobbed wildly I had never seen such a strong man cry like that before It's Emily I'd have died for her I love her with all my heart But she's run away and worse than that Oh how I wish God had saved her from this ruin

I shall never fonget his desperate face turned towards me and the pain in his honest eyes

You're educated Master David he continued You know how to express yourself Help me How can I ever ex plain to him in there He loves her even more than I do

I saw the door open and tried to stop Ham speaking but it was too late Daniel Peggotty came out and when he saw us he seemed to realize immediately what we were talking about The expression on his face changed in a moment and he pulled us both back inside I found myself with a letter in my hand which Ham had given me

Read it sir said Daniek his face pale and trembling and his eyes wild Read it slowly please

The room was completely silent as I read aloud

Dear Ham

Please please forgive me for running away and leaving you When you see this I'll be far away I shall never return to my dear home unless he marries me and brings me back as a lady Oh I'm so sorry and so ashamed I know this will break your heart but believe me I'm not good enough for you I'm too wicked Tell Uncle I'll always love him even if he can never love me again And I'll always think of you dear Ham even if you hate me for what I've done Forgive me and goodbye

Emily

Daniel did not move for a long time after I had finished reading I took his hand but he did not notice Suddenly he appeared to wake up and said in a low voice

Who's the man I want to know his name

Ham looked quickly at me and I felt a shock run through my whole body I fell on to a chair and could not speak

Don't listen Master David Ham said hesitating we don't blame you for it Peggotty put her arm round my neck but I could not move A gentleman's been here very often recently continued Ham in a broken voice and to day people saw Emily driving off with him in his coach

Tell me cried Daniel wildly Is his name Steerforth

It is replied Ham just as wildly and I'm sorry Master David but he's the wickedest man I've ever known

After a moment Daniel spoke He looked suddenly much older I wish I'd drowned him when I had the chance But it's too late now There's no peace for me here while my dear girl is away I'm going to look for her and bring her back home Don't any of you try to stop me Ham you must stay here in Yarmouth Keep a light always burning in the window of this house so that if the poor girl ever comes back she can find her way home across the sand I'm going to London and France and all over the world if necessary I'm prepared to spend my whole life travelling until I find her If anything happens to me if I don't come back tell her I forgive her tell her my love for her is unchanged

And although we all tried hard to persuade him to stay he refused to listen He took his coat hat bag and stick and stepped out into the darkness We watched him walking along the London road until he disappeared from sight I often thought of that lonely figure in the next few weeks and months walking through strange streets in foreign cities looking for his adopted child When I thought of him I remembered his last words to us If anything happens to me if I don't come back tell her forgive her tell her my love for her is unchanged

7 Good news and bad news for David

All this time I had gone on loving Dora more than ever

The more evil there seemed to be in the world the more brightly Dora's star shone down on me I am sure I considered her a beautiful angel far above the rest of us poor humans and I had no real hope of persuading her to love me

Peggotty had come to London with me as she was feeling rather lonely after Barkis's death and Daniel's departure and I could not stop myself telling her all about Dora She was very interested and most encouraging

The young lady should be very proud to have such a hand some intelligent young man as you Master Davie she cried And I'm sure her father will be delighted to accept you as her husband But I could not share her hopeful view of the sitution

However a wonderful thing happened During a long conversation with Mr Spenlow in the office he mentioned that it was Dora's birthday the following week and invited me to a picnic to celebrate it As soon as I heard this I went completely mad and could not think at all clearly In the next week I bought expensive new clothes and boots and arranged to hire a handsome white horse On the day of the picnic I got up at six in the morning and went to Govent Garden market to buy the freshest and most beautiful flowers for Dora and by ten o clock I was riding towards the Spenlows house

How lovely Dora looked in her sky blue dress and white hat when I met her in the garden in front of the house And when she accepted my flowers with delight I almost thought I would die of happiness

You'll be glad to hear Mr Copperfield she said smiling prettily that cross Miss Murdstone isn't here She'll be away for at least three weeks Instead I have my dear friend Miss Julia Mills here with me

Sitting next to Dora was a young lady I had not noticed be fore Although she was only about twenty she looked very calm and wise I later discovered that she had had an unhappy experience in love and had decided never again to become personally involved in matters of the heart

How delightful for you I answered blushing as I always did when I spoke to Dora And everything that is delightful to you is delightful to me Miss Spenlow Miss Mills said nothing but smiled kindly on us both

To get to the picnic place which was some way from the house Mr Spenlow Dora and Miss Mills drove in an open carriage while I rode by their side on my handsome white horse I shall never have such a ride again Dora sat with her back to the horses looking towards me and holding my flowers close to her sweet face Our eyes often met and I am surprised I did not fall off my horse I did not notice the dust or the road we were taking Sometimes Mr Spenlow spoke to me about the scenery and I replied politely but I cannot remember what I said All I could see was Dora

I was very disappointed when we arrived to find that other guests had been invited I wat quite jealous even of the ladies because they talked to Dora and took her away from me but I hated all the men as soon as I saw them There was a very unpleasant talkative man with a red moustache who insisted he knew all about preparing food and soon had most of the young ladies round him One of them was Dora I felt that he was now my worst enemy

When we started eating I saw to my horror that Red Moustache was sitting with a huge plate of chicken at Dora's feet I could not think clearly but I pretended to be cheerful I sat with a young lady dressed in pink and talked amusingly to her and looked at her and fetched her whatever she needed Sometimes I looked over at Dora and she looked back at me but she had Red Moustache and I had the young lady in pink

After the meal the young lady's mother took her away and I walked alone into a wood feeling angry and desperate I was just planning to ride away on my handsome white horse although I did not know where to when I saw Dora and Miss Mills coming to meet me

Mr Copperfield said Miss Mills You are unhappy

No no Miss Mills I protested firmly Perfectly happy

And Dora continued Miss Mills you are unhappy

Oh good heavens no Julia cried Dora Not at all

Mr Copperfield and Dora said Miss Mills looking old and wise enough of this foolishness You love each other Confess it and be happy Take the chance that life offers you Listen to one who speaks from bitter experience

I was so hot and excited that I took Dora's little hand immediately and kissed it and she let me I kissed Miss Mills's hand too and life seemed wonderful again

Dora shyly put her arm in mine and we walked about together until much too soon we heard the other guests calling her name So we had to go back and when they wanted Dora to sing a song Red Moustache offered to fetch the guitar from the carriage for her But Dora told him nobody except me knew where it was

So I fetched the guitar and I held her gloves and I sat beside her while she sang And I knew that in that great crowd of people she was singing only for me who loved her

When the guests left I rode beside the carriage all the way back to the Spenlows house Mr Spenlow who had drunk a lot of wine was asleep in his seat and Miss Mills was smiling in a motherly way as Dora and I whispered happily to each other Once Miss Mills called me to her side of the carriage

Dora is coming to stay with me she told me quietly the day after tomorrow Perhaps you would like to visit us

Miss Mills How can I ever thank you I said What a friend you are to Miss Spenlow and me

When we arrived at the Spenlows house I had to say goodbye to Dora and ride back to London On the way I remembered everything she had done or said ten thousand times I decided I had to tell her I loved her as soon as possible and ask whether she loved me too It was the most important question in the world and only Dora could give me the answer to it

So two days later I dressed in my finest clothes and went to the address Miss Mills had given me The servant took me to the sittingroom where I found Julia Mills learning a song and Dora painting the flowers I had given her After a short conversation Miss Mills made an excuse and left the room and Dora and I were alone together

I hope your poor horse wasn't tired the other night said Dora raising her beautiful eyes to mine It was a long way for him to and from the picnic place

I must ask her today I thought My whole body was trembling It was a long way for him I answered For me it seemed very short because of my happiness in being so near you

There was a moment's silence Then Dora said You didn't seem to care for that happiness earlier in the day when you were sitting with the lady in pink But I expect you don't mean what you say And of course you're quite free to do whatever you like

I don't know how I did it It happened so quickly Suddenly I had Dora in my arms and I couldn't stop speaking I told her how I loved her I told her I would die without her And when she blushed and cried a little I said I had loved her day and night since the moment I had first seen her I told her that nobody had ever loved or could ever love as much as I loved her

Somehow I found myself sitting quietly next to Dora on the sofa holding her little hand We were engaged I suppose we realized that one day we would get married but for the moment we were going to keep our engagement secret from Mr Spenlow When Miss Mills came in she was delighted to hear our news and promised to help us as much as possible

Now began one of the happiest times of my life When I look back I see how foolish I was but how loving and sincere I visited Dora every day and I did not have time for anyone or anything else But in the middle of my excitement I suddenly thought of Agnes of her clear calm eyes and her gentle face and I sat down immediately to write to her and tell her all about Dora I knew that as my adopted sister she would share my happiness and I wanted her approval

One day when Peggotty and I were having tea in my flat Tommy Traddles came to visit me My dear Copperfield he cried I've been several times before but you've been out

My dear Traddles I replied yes I'm very sorry I've been visiting my Miss D you know

I expect she lives in London doesn't she Mine that's Sopby beautiful name isn't it Mine lives in Devon I think I told you So I don't see her very often She really is the dearest girl She's very busy at home you know looking after the other nine children And her mother who's unable to walk

What a wonderful girl she must be I agreed politely And tell me Traddles how is Mr Micawber

I'm not living in his house at the moment said Traddles because his creditors demanded payment of his debts recently and he had to move to another house To avoid these unpleasant men he's even changed his name to Mortimer and he only comes out of the house after dark wearing glasses

So nothing has turned up for him yet And what abut the money you lent him Traddles

I'm afraid I may not get it back But Mr Micawber promises to give it back one day He's a fine honest man isn't he And Traddles looked hopefully at me

Before I could reply we heard footsteps on the stairs I was very surprised to see my aunt coming upstairs She was carrying two cases and her cat and was followed closely by Mr Dick carrying two more cases

My dear aunt I cried What an unexpected pleasure We kissed each other and I shook hands with Mr Dick Traddles left quietly as he could see we would be discussing family matters Peggotty made some more tea for my aunt who had sat down heavily on her cases

Dear aunt I said Make yourself more comfortable Sit in an armchair or sit on the sofa

Why do you think I'm sitting on my cases she asked looking seriously at me

I shook my head unable to guess

Because what I'm sitting on is all I have Because I've lost all my money my dear

I couldn't have been more shocked if the house and all of us in it had fallen into the River Thames

Yes continued my aunt putting her head calmly on my shoulder I'll tell you all about it tomorrow David but tonight we must find a bed for Mr Dick and I'll sleep here to save money So that night my aunt agreed to take my bed while I planned to sleep on the sitting-room sofa and I took Mr Dick to a neighbour's house to rent a room When I returned I found my aunt walking up and down in front of the sitting-room fire

That Peggotty woman is very fond of you David she said She's been offering to give us some of her money the money she inherited from her husband Of course I refused at once But she's a good woman And she's been telling me about the trouble at Yarmouth

Yes poor Emily I could not stop myself saying

Silly Emily you mean But I'm sorry for you because you cared for her once And now Peggotty tells me you're in love again

I blushed I love Dora with all my heart aunt

I suppose the little thing is very lovely is she

No one can imagine how lovely she is

She isn't at all silly is she asked my aunt

I had never considered this possibility before and could only repeat what my aunt had said Silly aunt

Well well I only ask replied my aunt gently David you're very loving like your poor mother and you need a good serious sensible person to love

Aunt if you only knew how sensible Dora is I replied

Oh David she answered Blind blind blind

This made me feel a little uncomfortable but I was glad she knew my secret I thought perhaps she was rather tiredt so I said goodnight She went to my bedroom and I lay down on the sofa

How miserable I was that night I knew I should be thinking of my poor aunt's situation but I could not prevent myself from thinking of Dora How could I marry her if I had no money no expensive clothes to wear no handsome white horse to ride or flowers to give her

The next morning I got up early to have a walk in the fresh air and on the way home a carriage stopped beside me and Agnes Wickfield got out I immediately felt better when I saw her beautiful calm face smiling at me She had heard that my aunt was in trouble and had come to London to see her We walked together to my flat

You know that Uriah Heep is my father's partner now 'she said quietly His influence over my father is far too great Father is much much worse He looks years older and I'm afraid that encouraged by Uriah he drinks more than ever Uriah and his old mother live with us now so I can't always be with Father to to protect him from whatever Uriah is planning I just hope that love and truth will always be stronger than evil

I could not give her my opinion of Uriah because by then we had arrived at the flat My aunt was very pleased to see Agnes again and made us sit down on the sofa next to Peggotty

Now let me explain to you all what happened to my money said my aunt firmly I was surprised to see that Agnes was pale and trembling Betsey Trotwood continued I saved a lot of money over the years and my lawyer Mr Wickfield used to help me invest it in the right companies But recently I thought he wasn't such a good lawyer as he used to be so I decided to invest my money myself What a lot of mistakes I made Who knows where it's gone In gold and foreign banks and so on It's no good worrying about it but I can tell you there's nothing left

The colour was beginning to return to Agnes's face So it it wasn't my father's fault dear Miss Trotwood

Not at all Agnes said my aunt cheerfully Now can any of you give me some advice I've asked my servant Janet to rent my little house in Kent That will bring in about seventy pounds a year I think we'll need more than that to live on

You and David could share this flat very cheaply with Mr Dick just round the corner in his rented room suggested Agnes And I think I can find a little job for David Do you remember Dr Strong the headmaster of the Canterbury school Now that he's retired and come to live in London he needs a private secretary to work for him in the mornings and evenings at his house He was asking Father about it the other day What do you think

Agnes I cried What would we do without you You are my good angel I told you so before I could easily be Dr Strong's secretary as well as continuing my work in Mr Spenlow's firm I'll go and see him today and arrange it with him

Agnes gave me her beautiful smile as she got up to leave I went downstairs with her and as we walked together to the coach station I saw an old beggar with a white stick in the street He was holding out his thin hand for money and crying Blind Blind Blind It sounded like an echo of what my aunt had said the day before Oh Agnes dear sister If I had only known then what I discovered long afterwards

8 David's new life

With Agnes's encouragement I felt much stronger and no longer depressed My life now bad a purpose I intended to work as hard as I could to help my aunt and to earn enough money to marry Dora I got up every morning at five o clock walked to Dr Strong's house on the other side of London worked with him for two hours every morning and then walked back to Mr Spenlow's office where I spent most of the day in the lawcourts Then I returned to Dr Strong's for two or three more hours in the evening and finally came home to my flat where my aunt Peggotty and Mr Dick would be waiting for me I was glad to be able to tell my aunt that Dr Strong would pay me seventy pounds a year for my work With that and the rent from my aunt's house in Kent we could live quite well if we were careful Because I was young and healthy I did not mind hard work and whenever I was tired I told myself You're doing it for Dora and that made me work even harder

When I met Traddles one day near the courts I told him about my new situation and he was very sympathetic

But I have news for you too Copperfield he said The Micawbers are moving to Canterbury

Oh That means something must have turned up for them I replied interested

Yes Mr Micawber is going to become assistant to someone called Uriah Heep a partner in a firm of Canterbury lawyers

Heep I cried in horror I know him Why would Mr Micawber want to work for him

Well I do know that Heep has paid all Mr Micawber's debts in London answered Traddles The whole family is leaving tomorrow They asked me to tell you

I wondered why Heep wanted Micawber to work for him and I felt sure Uriah had some evil plan in his ugly head

The next day Peggotty was returning to Yarmouth to look after Ham while Daniel was away After I had taken her to the coach station and said goodbye to her I hurried to Miss Mills's house I had not yet told Dora about the changes in my life because I had not wanted to explain it all in a letter but today she was visiting Julia Mills and was expecting me to come to tea

How happy and heautiful Dora looked when she met me in the sitting-room And how shocked and miserable she looked when I asked her immediately Can you love a beggar Dora My pretty little Dora She had no idea what I meant

Don't be silly David she cried What are you talking about

It's true Dora my love I cried I've lost all my money I'm a beggar And I looked so serious that Dora was frightened and began to sob bitterly on my shoulder

But I love you Dora and always will I continued It doesn't matter if we are poor because I'll work hard to buy our bread We don't need much as long as we have each other Tell me your heart is still mine dear Dora

Oh yes she cried Oh yes it's all yours Only don't frighten me again Don't talk of hard work and bread I don't understand I hardly ever eat bread

I loved her more than ever But I felt she was not very practical In a few moments when she had stopped crying and was calmer I tried again to make her understand

My dearest May I mention something

Oh please don't be practical begged Dora tears coming to her lovely eyes It frightens me so much

My dear one if we work together and share our problems it will make us and our love stronger

But I'm not strong at all she cried miserably Ask Julia She'll tell you I'm weak and foolish

But if you thought sometimes my sweet Dora that you are engaged to a poor man if you tried to see how your father manages the servants or how much food costs in the markets it would be helpful to us We must be brave dear Dora Our path in life is steep and rocky

I was becoming quite enthusiastic but I suddenly realized I had said far too much Poor little Dora was sobbing and screaming with fear and in a moment was lying unconscious on the sofa I really thought I had killed her I threw water on her face and went down on my knees to ask her to forgive me I called myself a selfish heartless creature and shouted for Julia Mills At last she hurried in and I explained what had happened When Dora opened her eyes her friend helped her upstairs

While Dora was upstairs washing her face and calming herself I asked Miss Mills's advice on the best way to encourage Dora to become more practical Miss Mills shook her head sadly

I must be honest with you Mr Copperfield Our dearest Dora is a beautiful innocent child of nature full of light and happiness She is above the things of this world which we poor humans have to worry about I think you'll just have to accept that fact

When Dora came downstairs again she looked so lovely that I felt bitterly angry with myself for making her unhappy even for a moment We had tea and she sang her French songs to me and played the guitar We were happy again until the moment when I stupidly mentioned that I had to get up at five o clock the next morning Suddenly her pretty face looked sad and she did not play or sing again When I got up to go she came up close to me and said lovingly You bad boy don't be so silly Don't get up at five o clock Why should you

But my love I have work to do I have to work in order to live I replied Work Don't be so foolish David dear and she seemed to think that was the end of the matter as she gave me a kiss straight from her innocent little heart

I loved her and went on loving her But I went on working hard too and worrying about earning money Some evenings as I sat opposite my aunt in my little sitting-room at the end of another exhausting day I was quite frightened when I thought of the problems I was going to have to solve alone

Several months passed in this way Dora and I wrote to each other every day and occasionally I was able to visit her at Miss Mills's house But one morning when I arrived at the office for work Mr Spenlow greeted me very coldly and asked me to step into his office where we could talk privately When I entered the room I was surprised to see Miss Murd-stone standing by his desk staring unpleasantly at me I knew at once that Dora's father had discoversd our secret and I guessed who had told him

Mr Copperfield said Mr Spenlow frowning sternly at me I am sorry to say that Miss Murdstone has found some letters which appear to be from you to my daughter Dora Are they yours

I looked at the letters he handed to me blushed and whispered Yes sir Poor little Dora I hoped she had not been frightened by that horrible Murdstone woman I hated to think Of Dora's unhappiness at losing my letters

I suspected something was wrong when Miss Spenlow came back from her last visit to Miss Mills said Miss Murd-stone looking very pleased with herself I always said Julia Mills was not a suitable friend for Miss Spenlow and I was right

Mr Spenlow appeared to agree but rather sadly

I am very sorry sir I said but it is all my fault Please don't blame Dora

Miss Spenlow to you young man said her father angrily.

I know it wasn't right to keep it secret sir but I love your daughter and I hope that one day

Don't speak to me of love Mr Copperfield cried Mr Spenlow You are both much too young We'll throw these letters in the fire and you must promise to forget the whole thing There is no question of your marrying Dora

But sir I can't forget her I love her I protested

That is my last word M Copperfield When you have time to consider you'll realize it's wiser to do as I say Now go to your work

I spent all day thinking of poor sweet Dora and how she must be feeling In the evening I hurried round to Miss Mills's house but although she spoke wisely of love and broken hearts she could not offer me any practical advice.

The next day after a sleepless night I arrived at the office at the normal time and discovered all the clerks standing talking at the front door This was so unusual that I stopped to ask what had happened.

Why don't you know asked one of them The police have found Mr Spenlow dead I fell back shocked

You look very pale Mr Copperfield said another Sit down here sir

Tell me tell me what happened I gasped

Well he went into town to dinner last night and the carriage and horses came back at midnight without him. He was driving himself you see So the servants went to look for him and found him dead in the road He must have been ill and have fallen out of the carriage Anyway he was dead when they found him.

This was a terrible shock to me Perhaps his anger with me had made him ill.In that case I was partly to blame for his death But I am sorry to say I was also jealous of Dora's sadness White she was crying for her dead father she was not thinking of me and I selfishly wanted to be the only person in her life

In the next few weeks I became quite desperate because I could not see or speak to my sweet Dora Miss Mills reported that Dora cried all day and when my name was mentioned only sobbed more loudly and said Oh poor dear Father How wicked of me to keep a secret from him Oh Oh So I did not feel encouraged to visit her Soon after her father's funeral Dora was taken to live with her two aunts at Putney in south London where she seemed to be further away from me than ever.

My aunt meanwhile began to be seriously worried about my health as I was getting more and more depressed So she suggested I should go to Dover for a few days to make sure that her house was still in good condition and then to Canter-bury to visit the Wickfields I agreed willingly as I was always happy to see Agnes It was easy to take a few day's hoilday from my work at the lawcourts and with Dr Strong

I was glad to find that the person who was renting my aunt's house in Dover was looking after it well I was then free to continue my journey to Canterbury that beautiful ancient city which seemed very little changed since my schooldays The soft clean air made me feel better than I had done for weeks

When I arrived at the Wickfields House I found Mr Micawber in Uriah Heep's old office. We were pleased to see each other but we both felt a little embarrassed. I realized that he did not want to talk about confidential matters concerning the firm of Heep and Wickfield and he knew that I disliked his employer Heep So conversation was difficult and in the end I was glad to leave him and go upstairs to look for Agnes.

I found her in her sitting-room and she looked up at me with such a warm welcome in her smile that I was very moved

Ah Agnes I sald I've missed you so much recently You helped me such a lot in the old days that I suppose I never learnt to think for myself I always feel I need your help and advice I get into such trouble and I get so worried and have so little confidence in myself but when I'm with you you give me purpose You make me strong What is your secret my dear adopted sister

Agnes gave me her hand which I kissed and she went on in her sisterly way to listen sympathetically as I told her everything that had happened in the past few weeks As usual she knew the right thing to do She advised me to write to Dora's aunts to ask if I could visit Dora occasionally and she encouraged me in my hopes of marriage I felt again that peace which Agnes always brought to me

We had not been sitting together long when Mrs Heep came in She did not leave us for a moment all that evening and I wondered whether Uriah had told her to watch over us Whenever I looked at Agnes's lovely face I saw Mrs Heep's evil black eyes staring at me

The next day Mrs Heep did not leave Agnes and me alone even for a minute The Heeps mother and son seemed to me like two ugly great black birds hanging over the house and they made me so uncomfortable that I went out for a walk in the afternoon I was walking along a path near the house wondering if I should warn Agnes about Uriah's plan of marriage when I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Uriah himself running after me

Wait for me Mr Copperfield he cried

Actually I said I came out to be alone

Ah he said with his oily smile you don't like my mother being there all the time do you

No I don't I replied not caring if I sounded rude.

But you see he continued in my humble position I have to be very careful I'm not married to my Agnes yet and you're a dangerous rival Mr Copperfield

What I cried in disgust You allow Miss Wickfield no peace in her own home because of me Don't you realize I think of her as my very dear sister nothing more Let me tell you I am engaged to another lady There Is that enough for you

Oh Mr Copperfield cried Uriah gratefully shaking my hand with his cold fishy one I'll tell Mother to stop watching you at once Why didn't you tell me that before I know you've never liked and trusted me as I've liked you

We returned to the house together in silence That evening after dinner when Agnes and Mrs Heep had left us Uriah said to Mr Wickfield Let's have some wine partner and drink to young Mr Copperfield's health It isn't often we have the pleasure of his company is it partner

I knew Uriah was deliberately encouraging Mr Wickfield to drink too much but I saw that although Agnes's father was aware of his weakness he could no longer stop himself As the evening passed I was disgusted to see that Uriah became more and more cheerful as Mr Wickfield became more and more drunk Finally Uriah stood up with a glass in his hand

Come partner he said with his evil smile Let's drink to the health of the most beautiful woman in the world

Poor broken Mr wickfield looked for a moment at the picture of his dead wife on the wall so similar to Agnes

I may be humble continued Uriah but I admire no I love your daughter Agnes

Suddenly a horrible cry came from Mr Wickfield He had stood up and was screaming with anger He behaved so wildly and desperately that I thought he had gone mad My child and you Heep No never You've taken everything from me my business my good name my home but you'll never take her

Perhaps I've said too much too soon said Uriah looking uncomfortable But you'll be sorry partner if you say any more You need me remember You've got nothing without me Remember that before you accuse me of anything

Just then the door opened and Agnes entered silently

You're not well Father come with me she whispered gently and helped the ashamed old man out I thought she must have heard what had been said

Later that night she came to say goodnight to me in the sitting-room where I was alone reading

Agnes my dear sister I said to her promise me that you will never agree to marry that evil creature for any reason

Through her tears she smiled calmly at me Don't worry brother I'm not afraid of him My duty is to take care of Father and I trust in God for the rest Goodnight David

9 David gets married

When I returned to London I was delighted to discover that Dora's aunts had decided to allow me to visit her So every Saturday and Sunday I walked to their house in Putney and spent the afternoons there Sometimes Dora sang or played the guitar sometimes we walked by the river and sometimes I brought Traddles or my aunt with me What happy times they were

Mr Spenlow had seemed a very rich man to me but when he died the lawyers discovered that Dora would not inherit much from him after all as there were many debts to pay So I did not feel worried that anyone would suspect me of marrying Dora for her money Mr Spenlow's firm lost a lot of business after his death and I realized I would have to find another profession I had always been good at writing so I continued as secretary to Dr Strong and also began reporting what was said in parliament for the daily newspapers I even wrote some stories which were published in magazines and was very pleased with the money I was earning

The months passed and I reached my twenty-first birthday Traddles was still studying to be a lawyer and still hoping to marry the dearest girl in the world I had moved out of my flat into a pleasant little house and at last Dora's aunts had agreed to our marriage I was looking forward to the happiest day of my life The next few days went by very fast in a mist of excitement and happiness My aunt and Mr Dick moved into an even smaller house near mine and Peggotty travelled from Yarmouth to be present at my wedding

I had always wanted Agnes to meet Dora so I was glad when they met the day before the wedding . It was beautiful to see Dora's pretty face next to Agnes's calm one and Dora whispering her secrets into Agnes's ears as a child does to its mother But after Agnes had gone to see my aunt Dora said seriously to me when we were alone Perhaps if I'd had Agnes as a friend when I was younger David dear I wouldn't be so foolish and silly.

But I love you as you are Dora I replied.

I wonder why you ever fell in love with me

Because nobody can see you and not fall in love with you

But if you'd never seen me David I wonder who you'd have married

I laughed and kissed her pretty lips and she was soon as cheerful as usual again.

I cannot remember much about the wedding except Dora by my side in her beautiful dress and with a blushing face .Only when we were driving away from Putney together did I wake from the dream I believed it at last It was my dear little wife I was sitting next to whom I loved so much

It seemed strange to return from our week's holiday and to find myself in my own small house with Dora It was difficult to believe that we were going to spend the rest of our lives together But soon I realized that married life was not as comfortable as it appeared Neither Dora nor I knew anything about managing the house We had a servant of course who managed us She served our meals late drank all our wine and stole all our silver spoons When she finally left we had another who behaved in a similar way I felt I had to speak to Dora about it

My love I began couldn't you perhaps control the servants a little better

David don't be cross with your little Dora she said coming to sit on my knee But I wanted to show I could be firm

My sweet Dora I really do think you should do something I mean yesterday I had no supper at all because the beef was burnt and last week when Traddles came to dinner the meat wasn't cooked at all

You knew before you married me what a silly girl I am You shouldn't have married me if you were going to be angry with me I don't think you love me at all And large tears ran down her pretty little face

Dora my love Of course I love you Don't cry I could not continue our conversation then But when she was calmer and had dried her tears she said very seriously David will you do something for me Will you call me your child-wife

Whatever do you mean my dearest I asked in surprise

Just that whenever you feel I'm being very foolish you should remember that I'm like a child not as clever as you or anyone else Don't be disappointed with me just remember that your child-wife loves you very very much

Of all the conversations we had I remember that one very clearly It made a strong impression on me and I am glad now that I did not try to change Dora any more I had fallen in love with an innocent child-like girl and I could not expect her to become a wise experienced woman in such a short time But this meant that I had to carry all Our problems on my own shoulders and sometimes I felt sorry that I did not have a real partner in life with whom to share these worries

At about this time my first book was published and was a great success Dora and my aunt were equally proud of me I was becoming however rather worried about Dora She had been ill for some time and did not seem to be getting better She was not strong and could not walk anywhere by herself I began to carry her downstairs every morning and upstairs every night and my aunt came every day to look after her My little wife was still very pretty and cheerful but I knew how light she was and how weak I began to fear she would not be with me for much longer

Early one morning when I was walking in the garden I saw Danie I Peggotty opening the gate and coming towards me His clothes were dusty and he looked older than before with white hair escaping untidily from under his hat But his face was brown and he looked healthy and strong

Master David he said gladly when he saw me I've come to tell you you were always our friend I've found her

You've found little Emily I cried delightedly But where and how

I heard she'd travelled with that wicked Steerforth to Italy and lived there for a while But in the end he became tired of her and left her She didn't know what to do or where to go poor thing But she came back to London And that s where I found my dear child Because I've been all over Europe looking for her but I knew she'd come back to England one day So every night I've been searching the city streets for her And last night I found her hopeless and exhausted on a bridge looking down into the river If I hadn t found her then I don't like to think what she would have done But God was looking after my dear girl and she's safe with me now He passed his strong hand over his eyes and smiled at me I've planned what we'll do Master David and I want to tell you about it Emily and I are going to Australia It's a new country where nobody knows anything about her past We'll be able to start a new life together We'll be leaving in about six weeks

Very sensible I said And what about the rest of your family Are Ham and Peggotty going to Australia too

No they aren't Poor Ham will never be the same again I really think his heart is broken But he's got a good job and is very popular in Yarmouth so he'll stay there My sister wants to stay too partly because of you Master David and partly to look after Ham She cooks and cleans for him in Yarmouth you know

Well my friend I said shaking hands firmly with the old boatman I wish you and Emily all the best in your new life

I'll do my duty whether I'm in England or Australia said Daniel And I'll never be separated from my little Emily again

10 Death and discovery

Traddles and I had both received rather strange letters from Mr Micawber in which he asked us to come to Canterbury with my aunt At this meeting he said he would show to all of us the proof of Uriah Heep's wickedness Dora was too ill to come with us so Traddles my aunt Mr Dick and I travelled to Canterbury by coach spent the night in a hotel there and arrived punctually at the Wickfields house the next morning Mr Micawber met us at the door and showed us into Uriah Heep's office Uriah himself seemed rather surprised to see us but pretended to welcome us as old friends Mr Micawber brought Agnes into the room too and then stood firmly by the door

Don't wait Micawber said Uriah to his assistant

But Mr Micawber did not move He stared coldly at his employer.

Did you hear what I said Micawber said Uriah angrily his little eyes becoming redder while his long face went very pale

Yes replied Micawber But I don't choose to leave Listen to me Heep I don't care if I lose my job I don't wish to work any longer for the wickedest man in England

Uriah fell back shocked Looking slowly round at us with a dark evil expression on his face he said I see You've all arranged this between you But I know who to blame for this It's you Copperfield You're jealous of my new position aren't you But I know things about all of you which I can use against you for example I know about your father's business mistakes Miss Agnes and I know about your past in the warehouse Copperfield So be careful I warn you all

Mr Micawber I said calmly please tell us what you were going to say about this man

Just then Traddles who had disappeared a few minutes before reappeared with Mrs Heep Uriah had not noticed Traddles before Who are you he demanded angrily

I am a lawyer and a friend of Mr Wickfield sir said Traddles in a businesslike way And he's asked me to carry out all his business arrangements from now on This came as a surprise to me as well as to Uriah

The old fool has been drinking too much again said Uriah looking uglier than ever You can't believe anything he says And you've bribed my assistant I suppose to speak against me

It's you who have been dishonest said Traddles firmly as we shall hear from Mr Micawber And we all looked expectantly towards that large important-looking gentleman He was clearly delighted to have such an interested audience and cleared his throat several times before starting to speak As he spoke his voice became louder and louder with excitement until he was almost shouting

Ladies and gentlemen he began when very poor and desperate for work I came to Canterbury as assistant to this evil man Heep I am sorry to say I was soon involved in all his wicked plans I may be poor but I can't accept his lies his cheating his bribes and all the rest of it And so I've brought you here today ladies and gentlemen to hear me accuse Heep publicly One he has confused and lied to his partner so often that poor Mr Wickfield now thinks he has himself been dishonest Two he has sometimes copied Mr Wickfield's signature on to false documents and cheques Three for years he has been stealing large amounts of money from Mr Wickfield and the firm

You can never prove it cried Uriah wildly

I have taken copies of all the necessary documents said Mr Micawber confidently while working as your clerk And just to make sure I've given them to Mr Traddles to keep safely

Uriah my dear boy cried his mother sobbing bitterly tell them how humble you are Say you didn't mean to hurt anyone Say you're sorry and arrange matters with these gentlemen Do dear boy

Mother be quiet he whispered angrily Don't help my enemies Copperfield here would have given you a hundred pounds to say what you've just said

Suddenly my aunt attacked Uriah hitting his head with her umbrella Give me back my investments she cried I thought Mr Wickfield had lost my money and I didn't want to hurt Agnes by saying so But now I know you've had control of the firm and you've stolen my money Somehow I managed to get her away from him before she hurt him too badly

Then Mrs Heep fell on her knees to all of us begging us to forgive her dear boy and to remember how humble he always was

Be silent Mother said her son He turned to Traddles and asked unpleasantly Well What are you asking me to do

Not asking demanding Heep You will give us the keys to all your boxes and drawers all your documents and cheque-books everything in fact that belongs to the firm You will stay in this house until we've checked all the documents

And if I don't agree he asked frowning

Copperfield perhaps you would fetch a couple of policemen Things move slowly in the lawcourts but in the end Mr Wickfield will get his business back and you Heep will be in prison for a very long time

Uriah realized that he had to do what we wanted and went to fetch the documents with Mr Dick at his side At the door with his blackest most evil expression Heep turned and said to me I've always hated you Copperfield Then he was taken away

In the next few days Traddles and Micawber worked very hard together to put right what Uriah had done They discovered my aunt's money and gave it back to her and paid all the firm's debts Mr Wickfield decided to sell his business and retire The Wickfields would not have much money but at least they did not owe anything In the end Uriah Heep and his mother left Canterbury but we all thought he was too evil to stay out of trouble for long

My aunt had a wonderful idea for the Micawber family Have you ever thought of going to live in Australia she suggested It's a new country with a lot of business opportunities

Mr Micawber was very interested Something could easily turn up there he agreed My aunt generously offered to lend him the necessary money to pay for the journey and the whole Micawber family started planning and packing immediately

When I returned to London I realized my poor Dora was much worse She stayed upstairs all the time now and the sitting-room seemed very quiet without my little child-wife in her usual place One day when I was sitting with her in her room she said lovingly You know David dear I'm afraid I was too young.

Don't say that Dora I whispered conscious that she was speaking of herself in the past

I was a silly little girl David and you know it It's just as well that I won't live much longer Perhaps if I lived you'd wish you'd married someone more sensible more practical someone like She did not finish what she was saying

But we've been so happy Dora I said trying not to cry.

She took my band and kissed it We have haven't we David do you think if you asked Agnes she'd come and see me I have something particular to say to her

Of course my love I'll write to her tonight

Agnes came the next day and went straight upstairs to see Dora Although the doctor and my aunt had told me there was no hope that Dora would live when I held her hand and saw her love for me in her innocent blue eyes I could not believe she would be taken from me But when Agnes came downstairs so calmly and silently and said nothing but raised her hand and pointed upwards I knew It was over and I remembered only darkness for a long time afterwards

In the middle of my terrible sadness I received a message from Emily She asked me to take a letter from her to Ham her last words to the man who had loved her so much before she and Daniel left England for Australia They were sailing in two weeks time and the Micawbers were going on the same ship. I remembered my childish love for little Emily and agreed to do what she asked

The weather was very stormy as I travelled through the night to Yarmouth Several times the coach was almost knocked off the road by the wind and the rain By the time we arrived in Yarmouth most of the local people were in the streets afraid to stay in their houses in case the roof or the chimney blew down Many women were crying afraid for their husbands or brothers who were out fishing in their small boats The sea itself with its huge waves crashing noisily on the beach frightened us all very much

I went to the hotel and tried to sleep a little after my tiring journey But the wind made so much noise that I could not sleep and I went down to the beach again where a lot of people were standing together watching the waves By now the storm had got even worse

Two ships have gone down sir a local fisherman shouted to me A few miles away We couldn't save any of the men on them The waves were too high And look There's another

And suddenly I gasped in horror I could see a great ship which had been pushed violently on to the rocks by the waves It was in danger of falling back into the waves or of breaking in half at any moment. Several figures were visible on the ship especially one very active curly-haired young man who seemed to be giving orders The crowd on the beach cried out as the ship rolled and a huge wave swept over it carrying the men into the rushing water In a moment the only figure we could see was the curly-haired young man holding desperately on to the side of the ship and calling for help What could we do It was certain death for any man to enter those waves

Just then I saw Ham Peggotty running through the crowd to the edge of tM water One end of a rope was tied around his waist and the other end was held firmly be three strong men standing on the beach

No Ham I cried trying to hold him back Don't try to rescue that poor sailor You'll kill yourself

Let me go Master David he replied cheerfully shaking both my hands If God thinks it s time for me to die then I'm ready Friends I'm going in Give me more rope

He dived in under a great wave and swam strongly towards the ship In another moment he would have reached it when a high green hill of water appeared and the ship went down with a great crash The people on the beach pulled on Ham's rope and he arrived at my feet dead They carried him to the nearest house and I called a doctor but nothing could be done for him He had been beaten to death by that great wave and his generous heart had stopped for ever

As I sat hopelessly by his bed a fisherman who had known me when Emily and I were children came to tell me he recognized the curly-haired sailor whose body had been thrown out of the water by the waves I went to see And there on the beach where she and I had played I saw Steerforth lying with his handsome face on his arm He would never smile at me or Emily again

I was surrounded by too many ghosts to return to London and my old life I was selfishly sad that I had lost my child-wife and my childhood friend and sometimes I felt I wanted to die So I left England and travelled for many months in Europe I lived in a dark miserable dream with no hope or interest in my future

One evening I arrived in a village in Switzerland and received a packet of letters that had been waiting for me The first one I opened was from Agnes She gave me no advice but she told me simply that she trusted me to find a purpose in life and that she would always be proud of me and love me as a sister

As the light died out of the sky and I watched the colour of the snow on the mountain tops change I felt I was waking from my unhappy dream and I began to understand how much I loved Agnes She had been the one who had always guided and supported me and now I realized I needed her love for the rest of my life Had falling in love with Dora been a mistake We had both been very young it is true I had always called Agnes sister and now perhaps I no longer had the right to ask whether her love for me was more than sisterly

However I decided to return and travelled home to England after three years of absence I was delighted to find that Traddles had married his Sophy and was doing well as a lawyer My aunt had moved back to her old Dover house and was living happily there with Mr Dick and Peggotty When I visited my aunt I took the opportunity of asking her about Agnes.

Has she has she any young man she'd like to marry I asked as lightly as possible

My aunt looked carefully at me as she replied I suspect she has David She's never mentioned it to me but I think I feel sure she's going to marry soon

I was firm with myself and did not show my feelings I borrowed a horse and rode to Canterbury to ask Agnes myself When I saw that beautiful gentle face again I knew I had come home I knew how dear she was to me and would always be

Agnes I said I am so grateful to you for making me what I am for helping me to be good But I think you have a secret Let me share it Agnes as your brother Tell me whom you love

Agnes turned away from me and burst into tears Somehow these tears did not sadden me but gave me hope My dear Agnes Don't cry

David leave me I can't talk about it now she sobbed

Agnes you're dearer to me than anything in the world Don't think I'll be jealous of any man you choose to marry I only want you to be happy

She had stopped crying now and was calmer If I have a secret David it is not a new one It has been my secret for a long time

I was wild with hope Not a new one Did she mean Dearest Agnes Dare I hope to call you more than a sister She was in my arms and sobbing again but this time with happiness. I went away Agnes loving you I returned home loving you

We held each other for some time sure now of each other's love

There is something I must tell you David she said gently looking calmly into my face I have loved you all my life She added And something else before our sweet Dora died she asked me can you guess to fill the empty place in your heart And Agnes laid her head on my shoulder and cried And I cried with her although we were both so happy

My story has almost come to an end I have published several books now and I am a well-known writer Agnes and I have been married for twenty years and live in perfect happiness with our children around us We have heard from Daniel Peggotty in Australia He and Emily have made friends there and are happy Mr Micawber has become an important figure in a large Australian town and his family are quite used to living there My aunt Mr Dick and Peggotty are all white-haired and old now but still very fit and they love playing with our children whenever they can My old friend Traddles has two sons of his own and will soon become a judge

When I think of my friends and family Agnes's lovely face shines above them all She is here next to me as I write and I hope that when my life comes to its end she will be with me in the shadows pointing upwards to the light