'What I have been thinking of, this month back! Yes, my precious; and I think I should be more independent altogether, you see; let alone my working with a better heart in my own house, than I could in anybody else's now.

I don't know what I might be fit for, now, as a servant to a stranger.

And I shall be always near my pretty's resting-place,' said Peggotty, musing, 'and be able to see it when I like; and when I lie down to rest, I may be laid not far off from my darling girl!' We neither of us said anything for a little while.
'But I wouldn't so much as give it another thought,' said Peggotty, cheerily 'if my Davy was anyways against it--not if I had been asked in church thirty times three times over, and was wearing out the ring in my pocket.' 'Look at me, Peggotty,' I replied; 'and see if I am not really glad, and don't truly wish it!' As indeed I did, with all my heart.
'Well, my life,' said Peggotty, giving me a squeeze, 'I have thought of it night and day, every way I can, and I hope the right way; but I'll think of it again, and speak to my brother about it, and in the meantime we'll keep it to ourselves, Davy, you and me.

Barkis is a good plain creature,' said Peggotty, 'and if I tried to do my duty by him, I think it would be my fault if I wasn't--if I wasn't pretty comfortable,' said Peggotty, laughing heartily.

This quotation from Mr.Barkis was so appropriate, and tickled us both so much, that we laughed again and again, and were quite in a pleasant humour when we came within view of Mr.Peggotty's cottage.
It looked just the same, except that it may, perhaps, have shrunk a little in my eyes; and Mrs.Gummidge was waiting at the door as if she had stood there ever since.