David Copperfieldevening, on the old locker in her old little corner by the fire- Ham beside her, where I used to sit. I could not satisfy my-
self whether it was in her own little tormenting way, or in a
maidenly reserve before us, that she kept quite close to the
wall, and away from him; but I observed that she did so, all
the evening.
As I remember, it was almost midnight when we took our
leave. We had had some biscuit and dried fish for supper,
and Steerforth had produced from his pocket a full flask
of Hollands, which we men (I may say we men, now, with-
out a blush) had emptied. We parted merrily; and as they
all stood crowded round the door to light us as far as they
could upon our road, I saw the sweet blue eyes of little Em’ly
peeping after us, from behind Ham, and heard her soft voice
calling to us to be careful how we went.
‘A most engaging little Beauty!’ said Steerforth, taking
my arm. ‘Well! It’s a quaint place, and they are quaint com-
pany, and it’s quite a new sensation to mix with them.’
‘How fortunate we are, too,’ I returned, ‘to have arrived
to witness their happiness in that intended marriage! I nev-
er saw people so happy. How delightful to see it, and to be
made the sharers in their honest joy, as we have been!’
‘That’s rather a chuckle-headed fellow for the girl; isn’t
he?’ said Steerforth.
He had been so hearty with him, and with them all, that
I felt a shock in this unexpected and cold reply. But turning
quickly upon him, and seeing a laugh in his eyes, I an-
swered, much relieved:
‘Ah, Steerforth! It’s well for you to joke about the poor!