And the Jolly Bargemen might take it as a compliment." "That's just what I don't want, Joe.

They would make such a business of it,--such a coarse and common business,--that I couldn't bear myself." "Ah, that indeed, Pip!" said Joe.

"If you couldn't abear yourself--" Biddy asked me here, as she sat holding my sister's plate, "Have you thought about when you'll show yourself to Mr.Gargery, and your sister and me?
You will show yourself to us; won't you ?" "Biddy," I returned with some resentment, "you are so exceedingly quick that it's difficult to keep up with you." ("She always were quick," observed Joe.) "If you had waited another moment, Biddy, you would have heard me say that I shall bring my clothes here in a bundle one evening,--most likely on the evening before I go away." Biddy said no more.

Handsomely forgiving her, I soon exchanged an affectionate good night with her and Joe, and went up to bed.

When I got into my little room, I sat down and took a long look at it, as a mean little room that I should soon be parted from and raised above, for ever.