We had had some biscuit and dried fish for supper, and Steerforth had produced from his pocket a full flask of Hollands, which we men (I may say we men, now, without a blush) had emptied.

We parted merrily; and as they all stood crowded round the door to light us as far as they could upon our road, I saw the sweet blue eyes of little Em'ly peeping after us, from behind Ham, and heard her soft voice calling to us to be careful how we went.
'A most engaging little Beauty!' said Steerforth, taking my arm.

'Well! It's a quaint place, and they are quaint company, and it's quite a new sensation to mix with them.' 'How fortunate we are, too,' I returned, 'to have arrived to witness their happiness in that intended marriage! I never saw people so happy.
How delightful to see it, and to be made the sharers in their honest joy, as we have been!' 'That's rather a chuckle-headed fellow for the girl; isn't he ?' said Steerforth.
He had been so hearty with him, and with them all, that I felt a shock in this unexpected and cold reply.

But turning quickly upon him, and seeing a laugh in his eyes, I answered, much relieved: 'Ah, Steerforth! It's well for you to joke about the poor! You may skirmish with Miss Dartle, or try to hide your sympathies in jest from me, but I know better.

When I see how perfectly you understand them, how exquisitely you can enter into happiness like this plain fisherman's, or humour a love like my old nurse's, I know that there is not a joy or sorrow, not an emotion, of such people, that can be indifferent to you.
And I admire and love you for it, Steerforth, twenty times the more!' He stopped, and, looking in my face, said, 'Daisy, I believe you are in earnest, and are good.