David Copperfield

Chapter 42 A person appeared (2)
Chapter No.17 A Person Appears (2)
When I think of the way they walk up and down the classroom window—the Doctor reading with a slightly benevolent smile, sometimes quoting from the manuscript, or shaking his head solemnly; Where did my mind wander peacefully on those difficult wings--I then thought that to be the happiest thing to look at from a state of tranquility.I think as if they would come and go for walks forever, and the world somehow benefited from their walks, as if a thousand things in the world were not half as good to the world or to myself .

Agnes soon became one of Mr. Dick's friends, and he also became acquainted with Julia through frequent visits to the Wakefields'.The friendship between us continued to deepen.The friendship was founded on such curious foundations that Mr. Dick visited me as my guardian.But they always discuss some trivial matters with me, and always follow my opinion.Not only did he admire my natural intelligence, but he also believed that it was largely inherited from my aunt.

It was Thursday morning, and before I went back to school (because we had an hour of homework before breakfast), I was walking with Mr. Dick from the hotel to the ticket office when I met Yulia in the street. .He told me not to forget my earlier promise to have tea with his mother, and then added (while twisting): "But I don't expect you to keep your promise, Master Copperfield, we are so lowly man."

I'm really not sure whether I like or hate Yulia.I'm still very skeptical when we stand face to face in the street.But I think it's a great insult to be seen as arrogant, so I say I'll keep my promise.

"Oh, if it's true, Master Copperfield," said Julia, "if it's not for our baseness, come to-night? But if it's for our position, I hope you'll be honest , Master Copperfield, for we are well aware of our position."

I said I would tell Mr. Wakefield about it, and if he would approve (as I am sure he would), I would be willing to go.So, at six o'clock that night (classes ended early that night as usual), I announced to Yulia that I was going.

"Mother will be very honored to see you," said Yulia, as we left the office, "or, if honor is not a crime, she will be honored, Master Copperfield."

"But you thought I was proud in the morning," I answered.

"Oh, no, Master Copperfield," replied Julia, "oh, no! It never occurred to me! If you think we are unworthy of you, I don't take it at all as pride. .Because we're so low."

"Still studying law these days?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Oh, Master Copperfield," said he, with an air of self-contempt, "I don't call it research at all. I just read Mr. Teedd's great book for an hour or two at night."

"It's hard."

"Sometimes I find it difficult," Yulia said, "but I don't know how a talented person finds it."

As he walked, he tapped a ditty on his chin with two fingers of his bony right hand, and added:

"You know that there are some Latin letters and Latin terms in Mr. Teed's book, Master Copperfield, which are very difficult for a reader like me."

"Do you like learning Latin?" I said briskly. "I'm learning it, and I'd be happy to teach you."

"Oh, thank you, Master Copperfield," he replied, shaking his head, "it is a great gift that you can teach me, but I am too humble to accept it."

"Nonsense, Yulia!"

"Oh, please forgive me, Master Copperfield. I am very grateful, but to tell you the truth, I like that very much, but I am so low. There have been many people, before I have learned to offend them, Come and trample upon the lowly me. I ought not to be learned. I ought not to be ambitious, so long as I want to go on living, Master Copperfield!"

"You're wrong, Yulia," I said, "I think I can teach you a few things if you want."

"Oh, I'm sure, Master Copperfield," he replied, "but as you are not mean yourself, and perhaps you are most likely to think of those who are lesser, I don't want to use my knowledge to annoy people who are more noble than me, thank you ! Oh, this is my humble dwelling, Master Copperfield."

We went into a low, old-fashioned room, leading from the street, and there we met Mrs. Heep, who was the exact shadow of Julia, only shorter.She greeted me with great humility, and even apologized for kissing her son, who, though humble, had a natural affection which they hoped would offend no one.It was a passable room, part parlour, part kitchen, but not at all uncomfortable.The tea-things were on the table, and the kettle was burning on the hob.There was a cabinet with drawers and a writing desk for Yulia to read and write in the evenings.On it is Julia's blue bag with documents spit out lying horizontally; there are several books of Julia, among which Mr. Teed's book is placed in the most prominent position; there is also a triangular cabinet with There are some common utensils.

Mrs. Heep wore widow's clothes, which was probably part of her humility—Mr. Heep had been dead for many years, but Mrs. Heep still wore those clothes.I think it looks like mourning except for a change in her hat.

"Master Copperfield is calling on us," said Mrs. Heep, as she prepared the tea. "My Julia, this is a day for celebration."

"I said you would think so, mother," Yulia said.

"If your father stays with us for any reason, he will be very honorable to get acquainted with our guests."

These compliments made me uncomfortable, but being treated like a guest of honor made me feel that Mrs. Heep was a gracious woman.

"My Julia," said Mrs. Heep, "has longed for this day, sir. He is afraid of our baseness, and so am I. We are base, as we were, and we shall be."

"I hope you don't, Mrs. Heep," I said, "unless you like it."

"Thank you, sir," replied Mrs. Heep. "We know our place, and we are grateful to have it."

I noticed that Mrs. Heep was getting closer to me, and Julia was coming closer to me, and they treated me respectfully with the best food on the table.In fact, there is nothing very elegant there, but I feel that the courtesy is light and the affection is heavy, and I think they are very hospitable.Before long, they were talking about aunts, and I told them my opinion; then about fathers and mothers, and I told them about my parents, and after that, Mrs. Heep started talking about stepfathers, and I started telling them about My stepfather—but I froze before I started because my aunt had told me not to talk about that.However, I was as young as a cork against a pair of drills, like a new tooth against two dentists, and like a small shuttlecock against a pair of shuttlecock boards, and I certainly couldn't either. Fend off Julia and Mrs. Heep.They are very comfortable with me, and they bring out things that I don't want to say and that make me blush bit by bit.Because I am innocent and open-minded, I am honored to trust people like this, and it is naturally more so for the favor of those two venerable masters.

It goes without saying that their mother and son love each other.I call this human (it works on me), but I can't defend myself against the way they talk.When all was said and done (because I kept my mouth shut about my life at Moore and my travels), they turned the conversation back to Mr. Wickfield and Agnes.The two of them took turns attacking, and I was overwhelmed.The subject is also changing, Mr. Wakefield, it is Agnes, is the extent of Mr. Wakefield's business and assets, our family life after dinner, what Mr. Wakefield drinks, why he drinks , and pity for his drinking too much; now this, now that, now all at the same time; In addition to giving them some courage from time to time, it seems that the number of conversations is not too much, and I don't feel that I have done anything.I found myself pouring out all the things I didn't need to, and saw the impact and efficacy of this act in the flash of Yulia's sunken nostrils.

I was a little dejected at first, wishing I could get away with this visit, when a figure loitered outside the door—the door was open to let in the fresh air—returned, looked in, came in, and called Said: "Copperfield, there will be such a coincidence!"

That man was Mr. Micawber! Mr. Micawber with his spectacles, his walking-stick, his stiff collar, the gentleness of his face, the modesty of his words, everything!

"My dear Copperfield," said Mr. Micawber, holding out his hand, "this is indeed a marvelous encounter—in short, a most extraordinary encounter. I am walking down the street. , thinking that there might be a possibility (I've been quite excited about this possibility lately), I found a young but most precious friend descending on me. I can say that it has something to do with the turning point of my life. A young friend. How are you, Copperfield, my dear companion?"

I can't--I really can't say--I should be glad to see Mr. Micawber there, but I welcome him and shake his hand kindly, and say hello to Mrs. Micawber.

"Thank you," said Mr. Micawber, waving his hand as usual, and tucking his chin into the collar. "She's pretty much cured. The twins are growing up—in short," said Mr. Micawber. said suddenly, "They are weaned, Mrs. Micawber, who is now my traveling companion, and has proved to be an unwavering friend in every way. She will love to see you again."

I said I liked seeing her too.

"That's wonderful!" said Mr. Micawber.

Mr. Micawber then smiled, tucking his chin in, and looking about him.

"I see you," said Mr. Micawber politely and not to anyone, "are not alone, but at such a great party, with a widowed lady, and her In short," said Mr. Micawber with another burst of boldness, "her son, would I be honored to be introduced."

Under the circumstances I had no choice but to introduce Mr. Micawber to Julia and his mother, and so I did.Mr. Micawber seated himself, and waved his hands in the most polite manner, as they degraded themselves before him.

"My friend, any friend of Copperfield," said Mr. Micawber, "is my friend."

Mrs. Heep said: "My son and I are not worthy to be friends of Master Copperfield. We are grateful to him for his visit and your attention, sir, for coming to drink tea with him for his kindness."

"Ma'am," said Mr. Micawber, with a bow, "you are welcome! But, Copperfield, what are you doing, in your old occupation?"

I just wanted to get Mr. Micawber away as quickly as possible, so I answered, blushing, hat in hand, that I was at Dr. Strong's.

Mr. Micawber raised his eyebrows and said: "I am so happy to hear that. In fact, my friend Copperfield is born smart and does not lack such cultivation. Of course, even if he is not educated, his mind is still a piece of cake." Vibrant soil—in short,” said Mr. Micawber, laughing in another burst of daring, “this is the kind of mind that can penetrate the classics.”

Julia slowly twisted his long thin hands together, and with a frightful twist from the waist up, expressed his assent to Mr. Micawber's flattery.

(End of this chapter)