She had hurried out to buy something that was needed, against Mr.Peggotty's return with the tide; and had left the door open in the meanwhile, lest Ham and little Em'ly, with whom it was an early night, should come home while she was gone.

Steerforth, after very much improving Mrs.Gummidge's spirits by a cheerful salutation and a jocose embrace, took my arm, and hurried me away.
He had improved his own spirits, no less than Mrs.Gummidge's, for they were again at their usual flow, and he was full of vivacious conversation as we went along.
'And so,' he said, gaily, 'we abandon this buccaneer life tomorrow, do we ?' 'So we agreed,' I returned.

'And our places by the coach are taken, you know.' 'Ay! there's no help for it, I suppose,' said Steerforth.

'I have almost forgotten that there is anything to do in the world but to go out tossing on the sea here.

I wish there was not.' 'As long as the novelty should last,' said I, laughing.
'Like enough,' he returned; 'though there's a sarcastic meaning in that observation for an amiable piece of innocence like my young friend.
Well! I dare say I am a capricious fellow, David.