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going to be serpentined and corkscrewed out of my senses！’
Mr。 Heep was rather abashed； as most people might have been；
by this explosion； which derived great additional force from the
indignant manner in which my aunt afterwards moved in her
chair； and shook her head as if she were making snaps or bounces
at him。 But he said to me aside in a meek voice：
‘I am well aware； Master Copperfield； that Miss Trotwood；
though an excellent lady； has a quick temper （indeed I think I had
the pleasure of knowing her； when I was a numble clerk； before
you did； Master Copperfield）； and it’s only natural； I am sure； that
it should be made quicker by present circumstances。 The wonder
is； that it isn’t much worse！ I only called to say that if there was
anything we could do； in present circumstances； mother or self； or
Wickfield and Heep；—we should be really glad。 I may go so far？’
said Uriah； with a sickly smile at his partner。
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
‘Uriah Heep；’ said Mr。 Wickfield； in a monotonous forced way；
‘is active in the business； Trotwood。 What he says； I quite concur
in。 You know I had an old interest in you。 Apart from that； what
Uriah says I quite concur in！’
‘Oh； what a reward it is；’ said Uriah； drawing up one leg； at the
risk of bringing down upon himself another visitation from my
aunt； ‘to be so trusted in！ But I hope I am able to do something to
relieve him from the fatigues of business； Master Copperfield！’
‘Uriah Heep is a great relief to me；’ said Mr。 Wickfield； in the
same dull voice。 ‘It’s a load off my mind； Trotwood； to have such a
partner。’
The red fox made him say all this； I knew； to exhibit him to me
in the light he had indicated on the night when he poisoned my
rest。 I saw the same ill…favoured smile upon his face again； and
saw how he watched me。
‘You are not going； papa？’ said Agnes； anxiously。 ‘Will you not
walk back with Trotwood and me？’
He would have looked to Uriah； I believe； before replying； if
that worthy had not anticipated him。
‘I am bespoke myself；’ said Uriah； ‘on business； otherwise I
should have been appy to have kept with my friends。 But I leave
my partner to represent the firm。 Miss Agnes； ever yours！ I wish
you good…day； Master Copperfield； and leave my umble respects
for Miss Betsey Trotwood。’
With those words； he retired； kissing his great hand； and leering
at us like a mask。
We sat there； talking about our pleasant old Canterbury days；
an hour or two。 Mr。 Wickfield； left to Agnes； soon became more
like his former self； though there was a settled depression upon
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
him； which he never shook off。 For all that； he brightened； and had
an evident pleasure in hearing us recall the little incidents of our
old life； many of which he remembered very well。 He said it was
like those times； to be alone with Agnes and me again； and he
wished to Heaven they had never changed。 I am sure there was an
influence in the placid face of Agnes； and in the very touch of her
hand upon his arm； that did wonders for him。
My aunt （who was busy nearly all this while with Peggotty； in
the inner room） would not accompany us to the place where they
were staying； but insisted on my going； and I went。 We dined
together。 After dinner； Agnes sat beside him； as of old； and poured
out his wine。 He took what she gave him； and no more—like a
child—and we all three sat together at a window as the evening
gathered in。 When it was almost dark； he lay down on a sofa；
Agnes pillowing his head and bending over him a little while； and
when she came back to the window； it was not so dark but I could
see tears glittering in her eyes。
I pray Heaven that I never may forget the dear girl in her love
and truth； at that time of my life； for if I should； I must be drawing
near the end； and then I would desire to remember her best！ She
filled my heart with such good resolutions； strengthened my
weakness so； by her example； so directed—I know not how； she
was too modest and gentle to advise me in many words—the
wandering ardour and unsettled purpose within me； that all the
little good I have done； and all the harm I have forborne； I
solemnly believe I may refer to her。
And how she spoke to me of Dora； sitting at the window in the
dark； listened to my praises of her； praised again； and round the
little fairy…figure shed some glimpses of her own pure light； that
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
made it yet more precious and more innocent to me！ Oh； Agnes；
sister of my boyhood； if I had known then； what I knew long
afterwards！—
There was a beggar in the street； when I went down； and as I
turned my head towards the window； thinking of her calm
seraphic eyes； he made me start by muttering； as if he were an
echo of the morning： ‘Blind！ Blind！ Blind！’
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
Chapter 36
ENTHUSIASM
Ibegan the next day with another dive into the Roman bath；
and then started for Highgate。 I was not dispirited now。 I was
not afraid of the shabby coat； and had no yearnings after
gallant greys。 My whole manner of thinking of our late misfortune
was changed。 What I had to do； was； to show my aunt that her past
goodness to me had not been thrown away on an insensible；
ungrateful object。 What I had to do； was； to turn the painful
discipline of my younger days to account； by going to work with a
resolute and steady heart。 What I had to do； was； to take my
woodman’s axe in my hand； and clear my own way through the
forest of difficulty； by cutting down the trees until I came to Dora。
And I went on at a mighty rate； as if it could be done by walking。
When I found myself on the familiar Highgate road； pursuing
such a different errand from that old one of pleasure； with which it
was associated； it seemed as if a complete change had come on my
whole life。 But that did not discourage me。 With the new life； came
new purpose； new intention。 Great was the labour； priceless the
reward。 Dora was the reward； and Dora must be won。
I got into such a transport； that I felt quite sorry my coat was
not a little shabby already。 I wanted to be cutting at those trees in
the forest of difficulty； under circumstances that should prove my
strength。 I had a good mind to ask an old man； in wire spectacles；
who was breaking stones upon the road； to lend me his hammer
for a little while； and let me begin to beat a path to Dora out of
Charles Dickens ElecBook Classics
David Copperfield
granite。 I stimulated myself into such a heat； and got so out of
breath； that I felt as if I had been earning I don’t know how much。
In this state； I went into a cottage that I saw was to let； and
examined it narrowly；—for I felt it necessary to be practical。 It
would do for me and Dora admirably： with a little front garden for
Jip to run about in； and bark at the tradespeople through the
railings； and a capital room upstairs for my aun