Classics Retold

Trotwood was in Yarmouth in the evening, and he stayed at the inn where he used to stay.  Barkis being in his last hours, it was inconvenient to stay in his room in Peggoty's house. He dined at the inn and went to sleep. By about ten o'clock he came to Omar and Joram.  Omar offered him a seat and a smoke.  Trotwood took his seat by the chair. I am sorry to have heard the bad news of Mr Barkis,' said Trotwood. Omar looked at him, with a steady countenance, and shook his head. Do you know how he is today?' 'The very question I should have put to you, sir,' returned Mr Omar, 'but on account of delicacy.  It's one of the drawbacks of our line of business.  When a party is ill, we can't ask how the party is.' 'We limit ourselves to Emily to get intelligence.  In fact, Minnie and Joram have just stepped down to ask her how he is,' said Omar  He then offered some refreshments to Trotwood, which he declined, and decided to wait the return of Minn...

Next day Trotwood was in Highgate where the home of Steerforth stood.  Mrs Steerforth and Miss Rosa Dartle were pleased to see Trotwood Copperfield.  Instead of Littimer, a modest little parlour maid attended them.  Miss Dartle always kept a close watch of Trotwood and Steerforth. All day, she seemed to pervade the whole house. The rustle of her dress was heard in their vicinity.  When they were in the lawn behind the house, her face passed from window to window.  When they were out for a walk, in the afternoon, Mrs Steerforth and her son were in the front. Miss Dartle closed her thin hand on Trotwood's arm like a spring, to keep him back, while Steerforth and his mother went on out of hearing, and then spoke, 'you have been a long time without coming here.  Is your profession really so engaging and interesting as to absorb your whole attention?  Trotwood replied that he liked it well enough, but that he certainly could not claim so much for it. 'You m...

The love-lorn Trotwood lived mainly on Dora and coffee.  His walking exercises to have a glimpse of Dora had diminished because of its zero results.   On the occasion of domestic party to Traddles and Micawbers, Trotwood did not repeat his former extensive preparations.  A pair of soles, a small leg of mutton, and a pigeon-pie, were his selection.  He bought a second-hand dumb-waiter in the place of handy young man, who stole his waistcoat during the previous occasion.  The young girl was re-engaged on the condition that she should only bring in the dishes, and then withdraw to the landing-place beyond the outer-door.  These arrangements did not please Mrs Crupp and she was cross with him for two weeks after the party. At the appointed time the visitors arrived together.  Mr Micawber with larger than usual shirt collar, and a new ribbon to his eyeglass, Mrs Micawber with her cap in whitey-brown paper parcel; Traddles carrying the parcel, and suppo...

Many days the thought of Agnes and Uriah Heep obsessed Trotwood. The day Agnes left the town Trotwood was at the coach office to see her off.  And there was Uriah returning to Canterbury by the same coach.  It was a small satisfaction to Trotwood that he was on the edge of the back seat on the roof in company with an umbrella like a small tent, while Agnes was inside.  Trotwood was not sure of himself - whether he was jealous of Uriah or troubled by the concern for Agnes.  At his first sight the lanky, red-haired Uriah Heep repulsed him.   Trotwood could not get over his farewell glimpse of them for a long time.  When Agnes wrote to tell him of her safe arrival he was miserable as when he saw her going away.  Trotwood was alone now between Commons and the Adelphi.  Steerforth was at Oxford.  Agnes's words about Steerforth had created a lurking distrust of Steerforth in his mind.  The influence of Agnes lingered in Trotwood in the ab...

A ticket-porter came and delivered a letter by Agnes.  Trotwood Copperfield opened the letter. 'My dear Trotwood.  I am staying at the house of Papa's agent, Mr Waterbrook in Ely Place, Holborn.  Will you come and see me today, at any time you may like to appoint?  Ever yours affectionately, AGNES.' Trotwood wanted the ticket-porter to wait.  He was not satisfied with the letter he wrote.  Then he wrote another one, but was not satisfied.  After several attempts he wrote: 'My dear Agnes.  Your letter is like you.  What could I say of it that would be higher praise than that?  I will come at four o'clock.  Affectionately and sorrowfully, T.C. Although he left Doctors' Commons at half past three, and reached Holborn within a few minutes, he was wary of entering the premises, and loitered here and there for sometime, but finally mustered courage to pull the private bell handle of Mr Waterbrook's office. He was shown into the drawing ro...

Adelphi meant brothers in Greek and the name referred to the builder brothers of the housing chambers.  Trotwood Copperfield felt it wonderful to walk about the town with the key of his house in his pocket.  But there were times it was very dreary. It was fine in the fine mornings.  Fresh and free by day light; still fresher and more free by sunlight.  As the day declined the life seemed to go down.  It seldom looked well by candle light.  Trotwood wanted someone to talk, and felt that he missed Agnes.  Mrs Crupp was a long way off.  He thought of the previous occupant of the house.  Mrs Crupp revealed his story when Miss Betsey asked her whether the furniture belonged to previous occupant.  He died of smoking and drinking. Steerforth not appearing, Trotwood felt that he must be ill.  On the third day he left Commons a bit early and walked to Highgate.  Mrs Steerforth was very glad to see him.  Steerforth had gone away wit...

Miss Betsey had been staying at a private lodgings in Lincoln's Inn-Fields waiting supper, when Trotwood Copperfield arrived there after his trip to Yarmouth. Betsey cried out as she embraced Trot and said that Clara would have shed tears if she had been alive. Janet accompanied her and Mr Dick was left alone at home.  She worried that Mr Dick would not keep  donkeys off her lawns. But she could not reverse her action. The rooms were upstairs, but the supper was served hot.  It consisted of roast fowls, steak and vegetables.  Betsey had her own ideas about London provision, and ate but little. 'I suppose this unfortunate fowl was born and brought up in a cellar,' said Miss Betsey, 'and never took the air except on a hackney coach-stand.  I hope the steak may be beef, but I don't believe it.  Nothing is genuine in the place, but the dirt.' 'Don't you think the fowl may have come out of the country, aunt?' Copperfield hinted. 'Certainly not,' r...

Steerforth and Copperfield arrived at Yarmouth late in the night.  The place was familiar to Copperfield.  The inn with the picture of Dolphin on the doors.  While they went to bed he saw a pair of dirty shoes and gaiters of his old friend, the waiter William at the door. Early morning.  Copperfield had been sleeping.  But Steerforth was in great spirits, and took a stroll alone about the beach.  He had acquainted with some boatmen, and had seen the house of Mr Peggotty.  Later, in their room the friends decided to visit Peggoty's house  by surprise. They decided to take separate ways and meet at Barkis's house. Copperfield was to meet Peggotty first, and so he gave Steerforth some minute description of Mr Barkis's house in Blunderstone and how to reach there. Omer's shop was on the way to Barkis's house.  The name of the shop was changed to OMER & JORAM.  There was a pretty woman at the back of the shop, a dancing child in her arms,...