And I'll--I'll--' Peggotty fell to kissing the keyhole, as she couldn't kiss me.
'Thank you, dear Peggotty!' said I.'Oh, thank you! Thank you! Will you promise me one thing, Peggotty?
Will you write and tell Mr.Peggotty and little Em'ly, and Mrs.Gummidge and Ham, that I am not so bad as they might suppose, and that I sent 'em all my love--especially to little Em'ly?
Will you, if you please, Peggotty ?' The kind soul promised, and we both of us kissed the keyhole with the greatest affection--I patted it with my hand, I recollect, as if it had been her honest face--and parted.

From that night there grew up in my breast a feeling for Peggotty which I cannot very well define.

She did not replace my mother; no one could do that; but she came into a vacancy in my heart, which closed upon her, and I felt towards her something I have never felt for any other human being.

It was a sort of comical affection, too; and yet if she had died, I cannot think what I should have done, or how I should have acted out the tragedy it would have been to me.
In the morning Miss Murdstone appeared as usual, and told me I was going to school; which was not altogether such news to me as she supposed.

She also informed me that when I was dressed, I was to come downstairs into the parlour, and have my breakfast.