I missed it somehow in a bad apprenticeship, and now don't care about it .-- -You know I have bought a boat down here ?' 'What an extraordinary fellow you are, Steerforth!' I exclaimed, stopping--for this was the first I had heard of it.

'When you may never care to come near the place again!' 'I don't know that,' he returned.

'I have taken a fancy to the place.

At all events,' walking me briskly on, 'I have bought a boat that was for sale--a clipper, Mr.Peggotty says; and so she is--and Mr.Peggotty will be master of her in my absence.' 'Now I understand you, Steerforth!' said I, exultingly.

'You pretend to have bought it for yourself, but you have really done so to confer a benefit on him.