Classics Retold

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...

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...

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...