By degrees she led me into more temperate talk, and she told me how Joe loved me, and how Joe never complained of anything,--she didn't say, of me; she had no need; I knew what she meant,--but ever did his duty in his way of life, with a strong hand, a quiet tongue, and a gentle heart.
"Indeed, it would be hard to say too much for him," said I; "and Biddy, we must often speak of these things, for of course I shall be often down here now.

I am not going to leave poor Joe alone." Biddy said never a single word.
"Biddy, don't you hear me ?" "Yes, Mr.Pip." "Not to mention your calling me Mr.Pip,--which appears to me to be in bad taste, Biddy,--what do you mean ?" "What do I mean ?" asked Biddy, timidly.
"Biddy," said I, in a virtuously self-asserting manner, "I must request to know what you mean by this ?" "By this ?" said Biddy.
"Now, don't echo," I retorted.

"You used not to echo, Biddy." "Used not!" said Biddy.

"O Mr.Pip! Used!" Well! I rather thought I would give up that point too.

After another silent turn in the garden, I fell back on the main position.
"Biddy," said I, "I made a remark respecting my coming down here often, to see Joe, which you received with a marked silence.