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Steerforth's Home When the chambermaid tapped at my door at eight oclock, and informed me that my shaving-water was outside, I felt severely the having no occasion for it, and blushed in my bed. The suspicion that she laughed too, when she said it, preyed upon my mind all the time I was dressing; and gave me, I was conscious, a sneaking and guilty air when I passed her on the staircase, as I was going down to breakfast. I was so sensitively aware, indeed, of being younger than I could have wished, that for some time I could not make up my mind to pass her at all, under the ignoble circumstances of the case; but, hearing her there with a broom, stood peeping out of window at King Charles on horseback, surrounded by a maze of hackney-coaches, and looking anything but regal in a drizzling rain and a dark-brown fog, until I was admonished by the waiter that the gentleman was waiting for me. It was not in the coffee-room that I found Steerforth expecting me, but in a snug private apartment, red- curtained and Turkey-carpeted, where the fire burnt bright, and a fine hot breakfast was set forth on a table covered with a clean cloth; and a cheerful miniature of the room, the fire, the breakfast, Steerforth, and all, was shining in the little round mirror over the sideboard. I was rather bashful at first, Steerforth being so self-possessed, and elegant, and superior to me in all respects (age included); but his easy patronage soon put that to rights, and made me quite at home. I could not enough admire the change he had wrought in the Golden Cross, or compare the dull forlorn state I had held yesterday, with this mornings comfort and this mornings entertainment. As to the waiters familiarity, it was quenched as if it had never been. He attended on us, as I may say, in sackcloth and ashes. Now, Copperfield, said Steerforth, when we were alone, I should like to hear what you are doing, and where you are going, and all about you. I feel as if you were my property. Glowing with pleasure to find that he had still this interest in me, I told him how my aunt had proposed the little expedition that I had before me, and whither it tended. As you are in no hurry, then, said Steerforth, come home with me to Highgate, and stay a day or two. You will be pleased with my mothershe is a little vain and prosy about me, but that you can forgive herand she will be pleased with you. I should like to be as sure of that, as you are kind enough to say you are, I answered, smiling. Oh! said Steerforth, every one who likes me has a claim on her that is sure to be acknowledged. Then I think I shall be a favourite, said I. Good! said Steerforth. Come and prove it. We will go and see the lions for an hour or twoits something to have a fresh fellow like you to show them to, Copperfieldand then well journey out to Highgate by the coach. I could hardly believe but that I was in a dream, and that I should wake presently in number forty-four, to the solitary box in the coffee-room and the familiar waiter again. After I had written to my aunt and told her of my fortunate meeting with my admired old schoolfellow, and my acceptance of his invitation, we went out in a hackney-chariot, and saw a Panorama and some other sights, and took a walk through the Museum, where I could not help observing how much Steerforth knew, on an infinite variety of subjects, and of how little account he seemed to make his knowledge. Youll take a high degree at college, Steerforth, said I, if you have not done so already; and they will have good reason to be proud of you. I take a degree! cried Steerforth. Not I! my dear Daisywill you mind my calling you Daisy? Not at all! said I. |
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