David meets old friends again
I decided to go to London first, to stay at a hotel for a few nights, and see all the sights of that great city. I knew it would be very different from the last time I was in London, when I was working at the warehouse. Now I was adult, and educated, and had money.
The hotel I chose was called the Golden Cross, and because I looked so young, I was given a very small, dark room in a roof. But I did not feel confident enough to complain.
That evening I was returning from the theatre when I recognized someone going in to the hotel. I could not prevent myself from saying at once, ‘ Steerforth! Do you remember me?’
He started at me for a moment. Then he cried, ‘Good heavens! It’s little Copperfield!’
I was so delighted to see him that I held both his hands, saying, ‘My dear Steerforth, you have no idea how pleased I am to seeyou again!’ I remembered how much I had admired him, and all my love for him came back. I had to brush away the tears from my eyes.
‘Don’t cry, Copperfield, old boy!’ he said kindly. ‘I’m glad to see you too. What are you doing here?’
‘I’ve just finished school, and my aunt has sent me to London to look around before deciding on a profession. What about you, Steerforth?’
‘Well, I’m studying at Oxford University, but nothing exciting ever happens there! That’s why I’m in London for a few days. But it’s boring here too, is’t it?’
“In London?’ I asked, surprised. ‘I think it’s wonderful! There’s so much to do and see! I’ve just been to the theatre-the actors were excellent and—‘
‘David, David!’ laughed Steerforth. ‘It does me good to see your fresh, innocent face, so full of excitement! Now, let me see, which room are you staying in?’
‘Number 44. It’s rather high up,’ I confessed, blushing.
‘They’ve put you in number 44? I’ll soon change that.’ And when Steerforth complained to the manager, I was immediately given a large, airy, comfortable room on the first floor, next to his. That night as I fell asleep I thought happily of the next few days, which Steerforth and I were planning to spend together.
A week passed very quickly, with visits to the theatre, the museums and the zoo. We went sightseeing, riding, swimming and boating. Steerforth was the perfect companion to have, and I admired him even more than before. In fact, I loved him with all my heart.
One day I said to him, ‘You know, Steerforth, I really must go and visit my mother’s old servant, Peggotty. She was very good to me when I was a child.’
‘Yes, David, I remember you told me. She lives in Yarmouth now, doesn’t she? Why don’t we go there together?’
‘Oh yes, Steerforth! You’d enjoy meeting her brother, and all the family! They’re very kind, good people.’
‘Even if they are only working people,’ said Steerforth. I looked quickly at him to see what he meant, but he was smiling at me, so I knew he was joking, and I smiled too.
We travelled to Yarmouth by coach, and when we arrived, Steerforth stayed at the hotel while I went to Barkis’s house to find Peggotty. When I knocked at the door, Peggotty opened it, and did not recognize me for a moment. I had continued to write to her regularly, but we had not seen each other for seven years, and I was no longer the small boy she remembered. But when she realized I was her Master David, she sobbed and sobbed with delight, holding me in her arms as she had always done. Soon she was calmer, and we talked about the events of the last few years. I heard that she was very happy with Mr Barkis, who, however, was ill in bed at the time. She was so pleased to see me that she insisted I should sleep at her house during my stay in Yarmouth, in the little bedroom she had always kept for me.
The next day I took Steerforth with me to visit Danial Peggotty. It was a dark and windy winter evening. As we came closer to the old boat, we heard happy voices and laughter inside. I opened the door, ans suddenly I was surrounded by Daniel, Ham and Emily, all looking very surprised.
‘Look! It’s Master David! Look how he’s grown!’
And for a moment we were all shaking hands and talking and laughing at the same time. I did not forget to introduce Steerforth. They welcomed him warmly as my best friend.
‘Well!’ cried Daniel Peggotty, his large face red and shining with delight. ‘It’s wonderful, Master David, that you two gentlemen have come here tonight ofall night! The best night of my life! Because tonight, gentlemen, my little Emily-‘ and he took Emily’s small white hand in his rough red one and placed it on his heart—‘has agreed to become Ham’s wife!’
“I congratulate you with all my heart,’ said Steerforth politely to Ham, without taking his eyes off Emily, who was blushing prettily.
‘Master David knows how I love this girl,’ continued old Daniel, ‘and my dearest wish was for her to have a good husband to take care of her. And there’s no one I trust more than Ham! He’s only a rough sailor like me, but he’s honest, and sincere, and I know she’ll come to no harm while he loves!’
Meanwhile,