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Showing posts from November, 2023

The Adelphi - TEN: Dora's Birthday

Peggotty was in Spenlow's office to pay the bill against their services - common-form business in Commons parlance -, connected with the will of Mr Barkis, and its execution.  They had already finished their job with the Legal - Duty office and the Bank, and everything was in order. For a change they went to Fleet Street, to see Linwood's Exhibition of needle work, and then to the Tower of London, and to the top of St Paul's. Tiffey said that Mr Spenlow had stepped out to get a gentleman sworn for a marriage license. Mr Spenlow came, and with him came Murdstone.  He was not much changed. 'Ah, Copperfield, said Mr Spenlow,' you know this gentleman?' Trotwood made a distant bow, but Peggotty barely recognised Murdstone. He was disconcerted, but stopped for a moment, for Mr Spenlow to pass into his room, followed by Murdstone. David touched Peggoty's hand, and cautioned her not  to advance, and they waited for the gentleman to finish his business.  David did no...

The Adelphi - EIGHT: The Will of Barkis

Peggotty had already bought, out of her savings, a small piece of ground in the Churchyard in Blundestone near the grave of her 'sweet girl' Clara Copperfield, and the remains of Mr Barkis to rest there.  She requested David to stay at the inn until after the remains of the carrier have made their last journey to Blunderstone. On the day of the funeral Trotwood walked over to Blundestone, early in the morning, and was in the Churchyard when it came, attended only by Peggotty and her brother.  The mad gentleman looked on out of the little window of Rookery; Mr Chillip's baby wagged its heavy head and rolled its eyes, at the clergyman over its nurse's shoulder, Mr Omer breathed short in the background, no one else was there, and it was very quiet.  David walked about the churchyard for sometime, and pulled some leaves from the tree above his mother's grave. The will of Barkis was found in his box, at the bottom of a horse's nose-bag.  Besides the will, other belon...