LITMIR.BIZ

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      “Swords!” repeated my sister. “Where did you get swords from?”

      “Out of a cupboard,” said I. “And I saw pistols in it – and jam – and pills. And there was no daylight in the room, but it was all lighted up with candles.”

      “That’s true, Mum,” said Mr. Pumblechook, with a grave nod. “I think that Miss Havisham will “do something” for the boy. Maybe a handsome premium[26] for schooling.”

      Chapter 9

      Of course there was a public-house[27] in the village, and of course Joe liked sometimes to smoke his pipe there. I received strict orders from my sister to call for him at the Three Jolly Bargemen[28], that evening, on my way from school, and bring him home. To the Three Jolly Bargemen, therefore, I directed my steps.

      It was Saturday night. I merely wished the landlord good evening, and passed into the common room at the end of the passage, where there was a bright large kitchen fire. Joe was smoking his pipe in company with Mr. Wopsle and a stranger. Joe greeted me as usual with “Halloa, Pip, old chap!” The stranger turned his head and looked at me.

      His head was all on one side, and one of his eyes was half shut up. He had a pipe in his mouth. He took it out and nodded. So, I nodded, and then he nodded again.

      “You were saying,” said the strange man to Joe, “that you were a blacksmith.”

      “Yes. I said it, you know,” said Joe.

      “What’ll you drink, Mr. -? You didn’t mention your name, by the way.”

      Joe mentioned it now, and the strange man called him by it.

      “What’ll you drink, Mr. Gargery? I will pay.”

      “Well,” said Joe, “to tell you the truth, I like to pay myself.”

      “No,” returned the stranger, “it’s a Saturday night too. Come!”

      “I don’t want to spoil the company,” said Joe. “Rum.”

      “Rum,” repeated the stranger.

      “Rum,” said Mr. Wopsle.

      “Three Rums!” cried the stranger.

      “This gentleman,” observed Joe, “is our clerk at church.”

      “Aha!” said the stranger, quickly. “The lonely church, right out on the marshes, with graves round it!”

      The stranger put his legs up on the settle. He wore a handkerchief tied over his head. “I am not acquainted with this country, gentlemen, but it seems a solitary country towards the river. Do you find any gypsies, now, or tramps, or vagrants of any sort, out there?”