David Copperfield Page #3

Nolo, non vis, not vult.

Nolumus, non voltis, nolunt.

- Future imperative.

- FUTURE IMPERATIVE!

Let them be about to be unwilling.

- Noluntote...

- VISITORS FOR COPPERFIELD!

- Mr Peggotty! Ham!

- Davy boy!

As we were sailing up to Gravesend,

Peggotty said to inquire for Davy.

She said your mama sends you

her deepest love.

Those were the exact words.

- Is Mama well.

- Pretty well, I believe.

If Mama is still angry,

tell her I'm sorry I hurt her.

She ain't angry -

ain't nothing to forgive.

Steerforth! Here's Mr Peggotty

and Ham from Yarmouth!

- I am glad to see you. How are you?

- Tell them Steerforth is very kind.

I'll tell 'em. It'll do 'em

the world of good to hear it.

Goodbye.

The rest of that long tedious half-year

is a jumble in my recollection

of the daily strife

and struggle of our lives.

I had nightmares that the Murdstones

would keep me here for the holidays,

but finally

I learned I was sent for

and it was time, at last,

to go home.

Any boy still here in one minute

will be thrashed!

THRASHED!

I gave your message to Peggotty,

Mr Barkis.

- Nothing came of it? No answer?

- Was one expected?

When a man says he's willin',

he's waitin' for an answer.

Have you told her so, Mr Barkis?

W-Would you like me to do it?

What's the name?

Christian name, I mean.

Clara. Her Christian name is Clara.

You tell Clara Peggotty

Barkis is waitin' for his answer.

(CLARA SINGS SOFTLY TO HERSELF)

# Angels keep their watch on

you, my darling... #

Davy... my own boy!

He is your brother.

Betsey Trotwood wouldn't be pleased

to see another boy.

What put that peculiar person

in your head?

- Do you want a second visit?

- Lord forbid!

Peggotty, Barkis asked me to tell you

that he was waiting for your answer.

- What is it?

- Oh, drat the man!

He wants to marry me.

- It'd be a good match, wouldn't it?

- Don't ask me!

He's never said

a word to me about it.

There you go.

Stay with me, Peggotty.

It will not be for long perhaps.

Me? Leave you?

Not for all the world...

though it would make SOMEONE happy.

How unkind you are.

Don't be so hard on Miss Murdstone.

You know she only does things

out of the best intentions.

Don't let us fall out, Peggotty.

I couldn't bear it.

You're my true friend

if I have any in this world.

Do you see? He's got it!

He's got the baby!

Davy, go on.

I beg your pardon, sir.

I am sorry for what I did.

I hope you will forgive me.

I forgive you, David.

Whether there is forgiveness

in a higher place,

I cannot say.

The holidays lagged away.

What a blank space I seemed.

Sit up straight!

Which everybody overlooked,

yet was in everybody's way.

Elbows.

The manners of this boy!

Davy.!

Davy... wait! Davy!

Let me look at you once more.

Go on now. After all, we shall see

each other before long, shan't we?

So I lost her.

I saw her afterwards in my sleep -

a silent presence near my bed

looking at me

with the same intent face,

holding up her baby in her arms.

COPPERFIELD IS TO REPOR TO MR CREAKLE!

Copperfield...

...I have something to tell you.

You are too young to know

how the world changes every day...

...and how the people in it

pass away.

But we all have

to learn it eventually.

When you left home

to come here, was everyone well.

Was your mother well.

Was she? Was she well.

Yes, sir.

Because it grieves me to tell you

that I hear

that your mother is very ill

She's very dangerously ill

In fact, she's dead.

She was never well...

...for a long time.

She sank a little every day

until she knew she was dying

and her little boy, too.

On the last night, she...

she kissed me and said...

"Let them lay my baby in my arms

and bury us together."

The sun was rising when...

...when she turned and said...

"Peggotty... put me nearer to you

for your face seems far off."

And I put my arm under her head

to hold her up...

...and she smiled then...

...closed her eyes...

...and never woke again.

You must be measured

for mourning clothes.

- You brought your shirts home?

- Yes, all my clothes.

Your services are no longer required,

Mistress Peggotty.

You may take a month's warning.

(CHURCH BELL TOLLS)

Don't drag your feet, David.

You will walk with me.

Family only.

You should be dead, not them!

Why didn't He take you instead?

With Peggotty's imminent departure,

there would be no one in the house

to love me any more,

but for her sake, when the day came,

I hid my loneliness and fear.

What should you think

if I were to get married?

- To Mr Barkis?

- Yes.

You would have the horse and cart

to bring you over to see me.

- You could come for nothing.

- The sense!

- What name did I write in the cart?

- Clara Peggotty.

What name would it be

if I should write it next time?

Clara Peggotty again?

Clara Peggotty Barkis!

David.

This is a world for action,

not for moping in.

- As YOU do.

- Leave it to me.

It is a world for action, especially

for a young boy of your disposition

which requires correcting.

Stubbornness won't do!

Stubbornness must be crushed!

Education is costly

and even if I could afford it,

I feel it would not be advantageous

to you to be kept in school

Before you is a fight with the world.

The sooner you begin it the better.

You are going to London, David,

to begin life on your own account.

It's six shillings a week, rising to

seven if you prove yourself useful

- Mick will show you the ropes.

- Quite the young gentleman!

We'll have none of your airs

or I'll throw you

in the cellar with the rats!

You'll have to be quicker than that,

little gent!

Copperfield?

Am I addressing the bearer

of the name Copperfield?

Yes, sir.

Wilkins Micawber...

...at your service.

I hope I see you well

Your esteemed stepfather,

a man of business like myself,

has charged me with providing you

with suitable quarters.

- You mean I am to say with you?

- In short, yes.

As your peregrinations in this city

have not as yet been extensive

and that you might have difficulty

penetrating

the mysteries of the modern Babylon

in the direction of the City Road,

I place myself at your disposal

In short, in case you get lost,

I've come to take you home.

Would you care to join me?

COME ON, OPEN UP, MICAWBER!

PAY ME NOW!

I'll keep coming back until

you pay me, you swindling old...

...the law on yer!

YOU POMPOUS OLD FOOL!

I'LL BE BACK!

Here's young Copperfield, my dear,

to share our familial habitation.

You are very welcome,

though when I lived at home

with my late mama and papa,

I never thought

I should have to take in a lodger.

Such considerations must give way

in times of pecuniary embarrassment

at least until something turns up.

My little princess!

Mr Micawber's difficulties

are almost overwhelming.

Whether it is possible to bring him

through them, I don't know,

but I never shall desert him!

(KNOCKING)

Open up, Micawber!

(MICAWBER)... let me do it!

I can stand it no longer!

My creditors will not relent!

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