[Great Expectations by Charles Dickens]@TWC D-Link bookGreat Expectations ChapterXIX
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He was so perfectly innocent of my meaning, however, that I thought I would mention it to Biddy in preference. So, when we had walked home and had had tea, I took Biddy into our little garden by the side of the lane, and, after throwing out in a general way for the elevation of her spirits, that I should never forget her, said I had a favor to ask of her. "And it is, Biddy," said I, "that you will not omit any opportunity of helping Joe on, a little." "How helping him on ?" asked Biddy, with a steady sort of glance. "Well! Joe is a dear good fellow,--in fact, I think he is the dearest fellow that ever lived,--but he is rather backward in some things.
For instance, Biddy, in his learning and his manners." Although I was looking at Biddy as I spoke, and although she opened her eyes very wide when I had spoken, she did not look at me. "O, his manners! won't his manners do then ?" asked Biddy, plucking a black-currant leaf. "My dear Biddy, they do very well here--" "O! they do very well here ?" interrupted Biddy, looking closely at the leaf in her hand. "Hear me out,--but if I were to remove Joe into a higher sphere, as I shall hope to remove him when I fully come into my property, they would hardly do him justice." "And don't you think he knows that ?" asked Biddy. It was such a very provoking question (for it had never in the most distant manner occurred to me), that I said, snappishly,-- "Biddy, what do you mean ?" Biddy, having rubbed the leaf to pieces between her hands,--and the smell of a black-currant bush has ever since recalled to me that evening in the little garden by the side of the lane,--said, "Have you never considered that he may be proud ?" "Proud ?" I repeated, with disdainful emphasis. "O! there are many kinds of pride," said Biddy, looking full at me and shaking her head; "pride is not all of one kind--" "Well? What are you stopping for ?" said I. "Not all of one kind," resumed Biddy.
"He may be too proud to let any one take him out of a place that he is competent to fill, and fills well and with respect.
To tell you the truth, I think he is; though it sounds bold in me to say so, for you must know him far better than I do." "Now, Biddy," said I, "I am very sorry to see this in you.
I did not expect to see this in you.
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