Chapter 5 An Accident at Home.
Now that I worked in the forge, I no longer went to school or to see Miss Havisham.
Biddy helped me keep up with my lessons so I could teach Jo, but I missed my visits to Manor House.
One day Jo and I were bent over my slate, and I said, Do you think I should visit Miss Havisham?
I'd like to thank her properly.
Jo said, She might think you want something.
You were paid handsomely, Pip.
Still, it's my birthday tomorrow.
May I have a half-holiday?
If you think it's best, then you should go.
The next day, when Warlick Joe's assistant heard that Joe had given me half a holiday, he wanted one too.
I suppose, to be fair, you both can go, Joe said.
My sister was standing in the garden and heard the whole conversation.
You don't deserve a half-holiday, Warlick.
You lazy man!
You're not my master, Orlick sneered.
You mean, sour-faced old lady.
The names he's calling me, my sister shouted.
Your wife is a nasty woman, Orlick yelled to Joe.
Quiet, Joe said.
Pip, off you go before even more trouble starts.
Manor House hadn't changed in the months I'd been away.
But I was surprised when Sarah Pocket answered the gate instead of Estella.
What are you doing here? she asked.
I could ask you the same question, I replied.
Where's Estella?
She's gone to school, if you must know.
What's your business here?
I've come to wish Miss Havisham well, Sarah said.
She won't give you anything, you know.
Sarah called upstairs to see if she could let me in.
Minutes later, I stood in front of Miss Havisham, who said-
I hope you haven't come here thinking you're getting more presents even though it's your birthday, she said.
I must have looked surprised because she said, foolish boy, I know what day it is.
I said, I don't expect anything.
I just wanted to thank you properly for what you've done.
No sooner had I said those words than I was back on the street.
On the lonely walk home, I admired a shop window in town.
I thought about all the things I would buy if I were a rich gentleman.
Mr. Wopsle happened to walk by, too.
Then we ran into Orlick.
The guns are going again, Orlick said.
More prisoners have escaped.
As we passed the three jolly bargemen, Uncle Pumblechook came running outside.
There's been some trouble at your house, Pip.
Let's get over there now.
When the four of us arrived, we found the entire village in our kitchen with Joe.
The group stepped back to reveal my sister terribly hurt and not moving on the floor.
Joe had called for help the moment he found her.
The house was undisturbed.
The only clue was the prison cuff lying next to her on the floor.
We all wondered who had hurt my sister.
Joe guessed the iron cuff belonged to one of the escaped convicts.
Had the two prisoners we saw on the marshes so long ago escaped again?
The doctor put my poor sister to bed.
She had suffered a very serious hit on the head.
Weeks went by before she was even able to sit up, never mind see or speak properly.
Joe was so upset.
Mr. Wopsle suggested Biddy could come and live with us to help around the house.
Joe and I both thought this was a good idea.
Biddy was kind and helped my sister a great deal.
My life fell into a routine over the next three years.
I worked with Joe in the shop and visited Miss Havisham on my birthday.
On Sunday afternoons, Joe stayed in with my sister while Biddy and I walked through the marshes.
Biddy, I said, I need to make a confession.
More than anything, I wish that I was a young gentleman.
She said, not a blacksmith.
That was never my choice.
Why?
What's made you so unhappy?
I confessed that I wanted to impress Stella.
Biddy said that was silly.
She reminded me it was ungrateful to wish for a different life when people like Joe were so kind to me.
I didn't say anything, but I couldn't help wanting what I didn't have.
A few days later, Joe and I were in the Three Jolly Bodgemen.
A man shouted, I hear there's a blacksmith among you.
Is Joe Gargery here?
I'm here, Joe said.
Do you have an apprentice known as Pip?
That's me, I said.
Nice to meet you, the man said.
Perhaps we could go to your house to discuss a matter in private.
We left the three jolly bargemen and were soon sitting in our parlor looking at one another in confusion.
My name is Mr. Jaggers, the man began.
I'm a lawyer acting on behalf of someone who wishes their identity to remain secret.
The room was dark, so Mr. Jaggers shifted to see us better.
I know, Pip's your apprentice, he said to Joe.
Being a blacksmith would be a good and honest life for her person.
I work for thinks.
The boy has great expectations indeed, joe said, surprised.
This person has asked me to tell pip that he will inherit a great deal of money one day.
Mr jaggers turned to me you now have a benefactor, pip.
Do you understand someone who plans to give you a fortune?
He continued.
But before pip comes into this money client wants him to be brought up like a gentleman.
I was too excited to say a word.
Mr. Jaggers said, you'll be moving to London to begin a new life.
My heart started to beat very fast.
My benefactor had to be Miss Havisham.
I have instructions that you are always to keep the name Pip, he laughed.
That's not so hard, is it?
I shook my head.
The name of your benefactor will remain a secret.
It may not be revealed to you until years from now.
You must not try to find out who this person is.
You shouldn't ask any questions.
Understood?
Yes, I said.
Your education will be paid for.
You will be placed with Mr. Matthew Pocket.
I nodded.
Mr. Jaggers noticed I recognized the name.
You know this man?
I have met his sister, sir.
She works at the largest house in town.
I once had reasons to visit there.
Right.
He quickly changed the subject.
You'll need new clothes, books, and other supplies.
He handed me an envelope.
You look shocked, Mr. Gargery.
I am, Joe said.
I will miss the boy terribly.
But if it's what's best for Pip...
One week's time, Pip, you'll take a coach and come to my offices in London.
Here's the address.
Mr. Jagger stood up and handed me a card.
I shall see you then.
He was almost out the door before I asked.
I know I'm not supposed to speak of it, but would it be okay if I went to town to say goodbye to a certain person, someone who lives in that very big house?
That's fine, Pip.
Mr. Jagger said as Joe showed him the way out.
But the time I left the parlor, Joe was in the loving room with my sister and Biddy.
Have you told them, Joe?
I asked.
I thought you'd want to, he said.
I think you should, I said.
Pip's going to become a gentleman and come into a great fortune.
He'll never have to work a day in his life.
Biddy dropped her sewing.
No one spoke for a very long time until everyone stood up to congratulate me.
I cannot say anything about the person who's helping me.
I don't know who it is and we mustn't guess.
It's a secret.
Biddy and Joe promised they would keep the secret and my sister nodded too.
What a surprising day.
On the one hand, I was excited to become a gentleman.
On the other, everything was about to change, whether or not I was ready.
As I walked through the marshes the next day, I couldn't help but think of my convict.
With my back to the stone wall of the churchyard, I fell asleep.
When I woke up, I saw a very sad Joe in front of me.
Time for dinner, Pip, he said.
We set out for home.
I said, Joe, I'll never forget you, but I've always wanted to be a gentleman.
Have you now?
Joe asked.
It's a shame we won't be able to carry on with our lessons.
I suppose I was never meant for schooling and you were never meant to be a blacksmith, Joe said kindly.
After dinner I tried to talk to Biddy about Joe and what I wanted for him to have better manners and to learn more.
That's unkind to say, Pip.
Joe's the dearest man.
His manners are just fine, she said angrily.
We argued.
I told her she was jealous of my good fortune.
She said I was mean and selfish.
We parted angrily and never had a good chance to talk about it again.
I was so busy preparing to go to London.
Everywhere I went, people congratulated me on my good fortune.
They treated me differently, so I started to act more like a gentleman.
The days flew by, but I knew I had to make time to see Miss Havisham.
When Sarah Pocket came to the gate I said It's not a day I usually visit, but I'm moving to London and I want to say goodbye.
Sarah went upstairs to make sure it was okay and then took me in to see Miss Havisham.
Pip, she said, I've heard your good news.
You leave tomorrow?
Yes, Miss Havisham.
You've been adopted in secret by a rich person, have you?
Yes, Miss Havisham.
Be good, she said, and deserve this kindness.
Those last few nights I spent at home were some of my happiest.
Biddy, Joe, and I laughed and talked late into the night.
Biddy and I pretended we'd never had our fight.
Neither of us wanted to ruin my final few days at the forge.
On my last evening, we had a special dinner.
Just like at Christmas, Joe spoiled me with too much gravy.
My heart was heavy as I climbed the stairs to my small attic bedroom.
Joe and Biddy wanted to walk me to the coach in the morning, but I had told them no.
I had to go alone.
Sad and scared.
My dreams were filled with coaches going to the wrong place, with me getting lost in the big city.
When I woke just before dawn, I got dressed and looked out my window one last time.
Biddy was up early with my breakfast.
I could hear her downstairs, yet I couldn't leave my room.
I buckled and unbuckled my suitcase.
I packed and repacked my new shirts.
Pip, Biddy called.
Come down for breakfast.
You'll miss your coach.
I ate as quickly as possible, not tasting a bit of my food.
Well, I said when I was finished, I suppose I must be off.
I kissed my sister, quickly threw my arms around Joe's neck, and gave Biddy a peck on the cheek.
I grabbed my suitcase and left.
I was barely on the street when I heard the door open.
When I turned around, Biddy and Joe were throwing old shoes at me for good luck.
I stopped and waved my hat.
Dear Joe waved his strong arm above his head and called, Hooray, Pip!
Hooray!
Before I turned back, Biddy covered her face with her apron because she was crying.
As I strolled past the three jolly bargemen I thought Hmm, that wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be.
The town was quiet and the mist was lifting as if it were showing me everything I'd been missing.
Biddy, Joe, my sister, they were all I'd ever known.
I burst into tears from the shock of actually leaving home.
What was London going to be like?
There was so much I didn't know.
As I wept, I thought, I should have let Joe walk me to the coach.
I could have said a proper goodbye.
The coachman took my suitcase and I paused with one foot on the step.
Should I turn around right now and go home?
In you get, young sir, the coachman said.
We got a schedule to keep.
It was too late to change my mind.
My thoughts raced over everything I'd left behind.
As I looked out the window, I saw a brand new world.
This is the end of the first stage of Pip's Great Expectations.
