David Copperfield Page #2

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No Master, I'm a bachelor.

A bachelor?

Why, who's that Mr. Peggotty?

That's Mrs. Gummidge.

Gummidge. Why I merely thought...

Come Davy, come!

I'll show you to your room.

Now that Mrs. Gummidge,

her husband was Dan's partner.

He was drowned.

Was he the oldest?

Yes dear.

Emily, and her cousin Ham, are orphans.

My brother adopted them.

Mrs. Gummidge too.

Oh, he's as good as gold

and as true as steel.

But he gets very angry when people

talk about his helping people.

I'll be careful.

Oh Peggotty, I just remembered.

I have a message for you

from Mr. Barkis.

What message?

All he said was, "Barkis is willing."

Hahahaha, and I gave up on him,

hahahaha.

What is it?

What are you laughing at?

What is it?

He's an attractive man, though.

He wants to marry me, hahahaha.

Oh, oh, but I wouldn't

leave you or your mother

For a whole basket of buttons.

Especially now.

Why not?

Oh, nothing, nothing.

I would go away over there in a big ship.

That's France,

where my blue beads come from.

And Spain's there.

We're only poor fisher folk,

But some day I might be a lady,

and go everywhere.

Then take Mr. Peggotty, he's a good man.

Good!

If I was ever to be a lady,

I'd get him a sky blue coat

With diamond buttons,

and a cocked hat, and a box of money.

Look! I'm going to France.

Emily! Come back quickly!

Emily! Emily! Come here!

That's fun, dancing near the edge.

Come on, come on! We're here! Come on!

Where's ma ma?

Wait a bit Master Davy,

And I'll tell you something.

Where's ma ma?

What's the matter?

She's not dead, Peggotty?

Ah! Wa, ah, oh, bless ya, no.

Something's wrong, Peggotty.

What do you think, Master Davy,

You've got a pa.

A new one.

A... a... a new one?

Yes. Come and see him.

I don't want to see him!

But you want to see your ma ma.

Come.

"...Picture of the castle.

And compliments from the presidency

on when it was bestowed. But..."

David!

Clara my dear, recollect!

Control yourself.

Davy boy, how do you do?

Well, I put the kitchen in order.

Goodness knows it needed it.

Tubs, jars, tea bags, pickles,

peppers, and no end of rubbish.

Is this your boy, sister-in-law?

Yes... David.

This is Miss Murdstone.

Generally speaking, I don't like boys.

How do you do, boy?

I'm very well.

I hope you are.

Hmm, wants manner.

Now Clara, my dear, I am come here,

as you know,

To relieve you all the trouble I can.

You're far too pretty and thoughtless

to manage a house properly.

If you'll be good enough

to give me your keys.

Why... why must I?

You'll find everything will go on

quite well without disturbing you

I should like to be consulted

about any changes in my own house.

My own house?

Our house, I mean.

Edward, let there be an end to this.

I go tomorrow.

Jane Murdstone, will you be silent!

Clara, I wonder you...

I'm sure I managed very well

before we were married.

I'd tell you if I didn't.

Clara, you astound me!

Even if I don't do everything

quite right,

I thought you were pleased once

at my being a little inexperienced.

I'm sure you said so.

I did have a certain satisfaction

in the thought of

Forming your character.

And giving to it the firmness

in decision that it lacked.

But when my sister is kind enough

to come here,

And assume the condition,

something like a house keeper's,

And when she meets with a base return,

my own feeling toward

You, chills.

Oh don't my love, don't Edward,

don't say that.

Whatever I am, I'm affectionate.

I must have affection.

No display of emotion can

have the least weight with me.

You lose breath.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I have a great many defects, I know.

And it is very good of you to endeavor

to correct them.

Very well.

Then it is understood that I am

to attend to everything

In the future?

Yes Jane, I don't object to anything.

I pray, let us be friends.

I couldn't live under coldness

or unkindness.

I'm so sorry.

David, go to your room!

Master Davy, you're not to sleep in

your dear mama's room anymore.

You have a room, all to yourself.

Does mama know?

Peggotty, come here! I want you!

Not all croc... crocodiles...

are flesh eaters.

But due to false claims...

they mostly are...

Where is the boy?

Late for his lessons, as usual.

My dear Clara, All winter long

I've observed your attempts

To teach David.

He grows ever more sullen and stubborn.

Makes no progress, whatever.

Forgive me, dear Edward,

but David has always been considered

Very bright

In his studies.

How many English Countesses are there.

There are six in the north, eight

in the middle counties, and...

And... And six in the east,

And... and... and... and...

and in the south,

There are...

Clara!

And in... and in the south,

there are... in the south...

Oh Davy, Davy.

Now Clara, don't say, Oh Davy, Davy."

That's childish.

He knows his lesson,

or he does not know it.

He does not know it.

No, I'm afraid he does not.

Edward, please!

David, sit down!

Take your slate.

If I go to a cheesemonger's shop

and buy one hundred

Double-Gloucester cheeses

At four pence-halfpenny each...

And if I sell half of them

at six pence-halfpenny...

Twenty at five pence...

And use the rest myself.

Do I make a profit or loss?

I can't think!

I can't do it!

Oh Davy, Davy.

I can't do it. I can't do it.

So!

Edward, please!

I tell you Clara,

I have been often flogged myself.

To be sure, of course.

I am, I think, not quite well.

Why Jane, we could hardly expect Clara

to bear,

With perfect firmness,

The worry and torment that David

has occasioned her today.

David, you and I will go upstairs, boy.

Don't Mr. Murdstone, don't,

I tried, don't.

Don't...

Clara, are you a perfect fool?

In your condition.

I do my lessons.

David, come here!

If I had an obstinate horse

that dogged to feel good,

What do you think I would do?

I don't know.

I'd beat him.

I'd make him wince and smart.

I'd say to myself,

"I'll conquer that fellow."

And if were to cost him all the blood

that he had, I'd do it!

Mr. Murdstone, sir! Don't!

Pray don't beat me sir!

I have tried to learn!

I think I could do it

with my mother alone,

But I can't learn while you

and Miss Murdstone are by.

Can't you David?

Indeed I can't!

We shall see!

Mr. Murdstone, don't sir! Ow!

So, he bites, does he?

Ow! Mr. Murdstone! Ow! Ow!

Mother! Mother!

Be as soft as a mouse,

or the cat will hear us.

Is mama very angry with me, Peggotty?

Not at all.

Your mama's not very well.

Oh dear. Oh dear.

Don't be frightened, my precious.

Soon you'll be having

a little brother or sister.

Davy dear, if I don't come

to see you often,

It ain't because I don't love you.

It's because I think it's better

for you.

And there's someone else, besides.

Oh, thank you, Peggotty.

Hasten Doctor Chillip!

She's in great pain!

Peggotty! Peggotty!

What's happened?

Peggotty! Peggotty! Someone open!

Peggotty! Peggotty!

Peggotty!

Peggotty!

Peggotty! Peggotty! Peggotty! Peggotty!

Peggotty! Peggotty! Peggotty! Peggotty!

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