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by the pantry fire。
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
Such a self…contained man I never saw。 But in that quality； as in
every other he possessed； he only seemed to be the more
respectable。 Even the fact that no one knew his Christian name；
seemed to form a part of his respectability。 Nothing could be
objected against his surname； Littimer； by which he was known。
Peter might have been hanged； or Tom transported； but Littimer
was perfectly respectable。
It was occasioned； I suppose； by the reverend nature of
respectability in the abstract； but I felt particularly young in this
man’s presence。 How old he was himself； I could not guess—and
that again went to his credit on the same score； for in the calmness
of respectability he might have numbered fifty years as well as
thirty。
Littimer was in my room in the morning before I was up； to
bring me that reproachful shaving…water； and to put out my
clothes。 When I undrew the curtains and looked out of bed； I saw
him； in an equable temperature of respectability； unaffected by the
east wind of January； and not even breathing frostily； standing my
boots right and left in the first dancing position； and blowing
specks of dust off my coat as he laid it down like a baby。
I gave him good morning； and asked him what o’clock it was。
He took out of his pocket the most respectable hunting…watch I
ever saw； and preventing the spring with his thumb from opening
far； looked in at the face as if he were consulting an oracular
oyster； shut it up again； and said； if I pleased； it was half past eight。
‘Mr。 Steerforth will be glad to hear how you have rested； sir。’
‘Thank you；’ said I； ‘very well indeed。 Is Mr。 Steerforth quite
well？’
‘Thank you； sir； Mr。 Steerforth is tolerably well。’ Another of his
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
characteristics—no use of superlatives。 A cool calm medium
always。
‘Is there anything more I can have the honour of doing for you；
sir？ The warning…bell will ring at nine； the family take breakfast at
half past nine。’
‘Nothing； I thank you。’
‘I thank you； sir； if you please’； and with that； and with a little
inclination of his head when he passed the bed…side； as an apology
for correcting me； he went out； shutting the door as delicately as if
I had just fallen into a sweet sleep on which my life depended。
Every morning we held exactly this conversation： never any
more； and never any less： and yet； invariably； however far I might
have been lifted out of myself over…night； and advanced towards
maturer years； by Steerforth’s companionship； or Mrs。
Steerforth’s confidence； or Miss Dartle’s conversation； in the
presence of this most respectable man I became； as our smaller
poets sing； ‘a boy again’。
He got horses for us； and Steerforth； who knew everything；
gave me lessons in riding。 He provided foils for us； and Steerforth
gave me lessons in fencing—gloves； and I began； of the same
master； to improve in boxing。 It gave me no manner of concern
that Steerforth should find me a novice in these sciences； but I
never could bear to show my want of skill before the respectable
Littimer。 I had no reason to believe that Littimer understood such
arts himself； he never led me to suppose anything of the kind； by
so much as the vibration of one of his respectable eyelashes； yet
whenever he was by； while we were practising； I felt myself the
greenest and most inexperienced of mortals。
I am particular about this man； because he made a particular
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
effect on me at that time； and because of what took place
thereafter。
The week passed away in a most delightful manner。 It passed
rapidly； as may be supposed； to one entranced as I was； and yet it
gave me so many occasions for knowing Steerforth better； and
admiring him more in a thousand respects； that at its close I
seemed to have been with him for a much longer time。 A dashing
way he had of treating me like a plaything； was more agreeable to
me than any behaviour he could have adopted。 It reminded me of
our old acquaintance； it seemed the natural sequel of it； it showed
me that he was unchanged； it relieved me of any uneasiness I
might have felt； in comparing my merits with his； and measuring
my claims upon his friendship by any equal standard； above all； it
was a familiar； unrestrained； affectionate demeanour that he used
towards no one else。 As he had treated me at school differently
from all the rest； I joyfully believed that he treated me in life
unlike any other friend he had。 I believed that I was nearer to his
heart than any other friend； and my own heart warmed with
attachment to him。 He made up his mind to go with me into the
country； and the day arrived for our departure。 He had been
doubtful at first whether to take Littimer or not； but decided to
leave him at home。 The respectable creature； satisfied with his lot
whatever it was； arranged our portmanteaux on the little carriage
that was to take us into London； as if they were intended to defy
the shocks of ages； and received my modestly proffered donation
with perfect tranquillity。
We bade adieu to Mrs。 Steerforth and Miss Dartle； with many
thanks on my part； and much kindness on the devoted mother’s。
The last thing I saw was Littimer’s unruffled eye； fraught； as I
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
fancied； with the silent conviction that I was very young indeed。
What I felt； in returning so auspiciously to the old familiar
places； I shall not endeavour to describe。 We went down by the
Mail。 I was so concerned； I recollect； even for the honour of
Yarmouth； that when Steerforth said； as we drove through its dark
streets to the inn； that； as well as he could make out； it was a good；
queer； out…of…the…way kind of hole； I was highly pleased。 We went
to bed on our arrival （I observed a pair of dirty shoes and gaiters
in connexion with my old friend the Dolphin as we passed that
door）； and breakfasted late in the morning。 Steerforth； who was in
great spirits； had been strolling about the beach before I was up；
and had made acquaintance； he said； with half the boatmen in the
place。 Moreover； he had seen； in the distance； what he was sure
must be the identical house of Mr。 Peggotty； with smoke coming
out of the chimney； and had had a great mind； he told me； to walk
in and swear he was myself grown out of knowledge。
‘When do you propose to introduce me there； Daisy？’ he said。 ‘I
am at your disposal。 Make your own arrangements。’
‘Why； I was thinking that this evening would be a good time；
Steerforth； when they are all sitting round the fire。 I should like
you to see it when it’s snug； it’s such a curious place。’
‘So be it！’ returned Steerforth。 ‘This evening。’
‘I shall not give them any notice that we are here； you know；’
said I； delighted。 ‘We must take them by surprise。’
‘Oh； of course！ It’s no fun；’ said Steerforth； ‘unless we take them
b