ined in, though the whole strain was so subdued that it
made less noise in the grim old house than the lightest breath of wind.
How could my character fail to be influenced by such surroundings? Is it
to be wondered at if my thoughts were dazed, as my eyes were, when I came
out into the natural light from the misty yellow rooms?

We went on this way for a long time, but one day Miss Havisham stopped
short as she and I were walking and said, with displeasure: "You are
growing tall, Pip!"

In answer I suggested that this might be a thing over which I had no
control, and she said no more at that time, but on the following day she
said:

"Tell me the name again of the blacksmith of yours to whom you were to be
apprenticed?"

"Joe Gargery, ma'am,"

"You had better be apprenticed at once. Would Gargery come here with you,
and bring your indentures, do you think?"

I signified that I thought he would consider it an honour to be asked.

"Then let him come!"

"At any particular time, Miss Havisham?"

"There, there, I know nothing about time. Let him come soon, and come
alone with you!"

In consequence, two days later, Joe, arrayed in his Sunday clothes, set
out with me to visit Miss Havisham, and as he thought his court dress
necessary to the occasion, it was not for me to tell him that he looked
far better in his working dress. We arrived at Miss Havisham's, and as
usual Estella opened the door, and led the way to Miss Havisham's room.
She immediately addressed Joe, asking him questions about himself and
about having me for apprentice and finally she asked to see my indentures,
which Joe produced; I am afraid I was ashamed of the dear good fellow--I
know I was when I saw Estella's eyes were laughing mischievously.

Miss Havisham then took a little bag from the table and handed it to me.

"Pip has earned a premium here," she said, "and here it is. There are five
and twenty guineas in the bag. Give it to your Master, Pip."

I handed it to Joe, who said a few embarrassed words of gratitude to Miss
Havisham.

"Good-bye, Pip," she said. "Let them out, Estella."

"Am I to come again, Miss Havisham?" I asked.

"No--Gargery is your master now. Gargery! One word!" Joe stepped back and
she added, "The boy has been a good boy here, and that is his reward. Of
course, as an honest man, you will expect no other."

Then we went down, and in a moment we were outside of the gate, and it was
locked and Estella was gone. When