0 David Copperfield

CHAPTER 10

I BECOME NEGLECTED,

AND AM PROVIDED FOR

T

he first act of business Miss Murdstone performed when

the day of the solemnity was over, and light was free-

ly admitted into the house, was to give Peggotty a month’s

warning. Much as Peggotty would have disliked such a ser-

vice, I believe she would have retained it, for my sake, in

preference to the best upon earth. She told me we must part,

and told me why; and we condoled with one another, in all

sincerity.

As to me or my future, not a word was said, or a step

taken. Happy they would have been, I dare say, if they could

have dismissed me at a month’s warning too. I mustered

courage once, to ask Miss Murdstone when I was going

back to school; and she answered dryly, she believed I was

not going back at all. I was told nothing more. I was very

anxious to know what was going to be done with me, and

so was Peggotty; but neither she nor I could pick up any in-

formation on the subject.

There was one change in my condition, which, while it re-