David Copperfield
‘What a prophet you have shown yourself, Mister Cop-
perfield!’ pursued Uriah. ‘Dear me, what a prophet you have
proved yourself to be! Don’t you remember saying to me
once, that perhaps I should be a partner in Mr. Wickfield’s
business, and perhaps it might be Wickfield and Heep? You
may not recollect it; but when a person is umble, Master
Copperfield, a person treasures such things up!’
‘I recollect talking about it,’ said I, ‘though I certainly did
not think it very likely then.’ ‘Oh! who would have thought
it likely, Mister Copperfield!’ returned Uriah, enthusiasti-
cally. ‘I am sure I didn’t myself. I recollect saying with my
own lips that I was much too umble. So I considered myself
really and truly.’
He sat, with that carved grin on his face, looking at the
fire, as I looked at him.
‘But the umblest persons, Master Copperfield,’ he pres-
ently resumed, ‘may be the instruments of good. I am glad
to think I have been the instrument of good to Mr. Wick-
field, and that I may be more so. Oh what a worthy man he
is, Mister Copperfield, but how imprudent he has been!’
‘I am sorry to hear it,’ said I. I could not help adding,
rather pointedly, ‘on all accounts.’
‘Decidedly so, Mister Copperfield,’ replied Uriah. ‘On
all accounts. Miss Agnes’s above all! You don’t remember
your own eloquent expressions, Master Copperfield; but I
remember how you said one day that everybody must ad-
mire her, and how I thanked you for it! You have forgot that,
I have no doubt, Master Copperfield?’
‘No,’ said I, drily.