Chapter 7 A Letter from Home Dear Pip, Joe asked me to write this letter.
He's coming to London.
He'll call for you at Bernard's Inn on Tuesday morning at nine o'clock.
Your poor sister is the same as before.
We talk about you every night.
Hope you're doing well.
Yours truly, Biddy.
The letter came on Monday, which meant Joe would be arriving tomorrow.
I had mixed feelings about Joe's visit.
My life was so different now, I didn't know if he would fit into it.
I wanted to send a note telling him not to come.
Tuesday came and it rained.
As I heard Joe's boots clomping up the stairs, I wanted to hide.
Instead, I answered the knock at the door.
Joe shouted, Hello, Pip, you've grown.
His good, honest face glowed as he heartily shook my hand.
Good to see you, Joe, I said.
Please give me your hat.
Oh, it's fine where it fell.
The hat sat on the floor between us.
I told Joe he looked well.
He said, your sister's the same, bitty two, but Walpsle has left the church to become an actor.
An actor, I said.
Joe handed me a crumpled program.
Did you see the play, I asked.
Indeed, I did. he answered.
As Joe described the play, I tried to pull both him and his hat inside.
Herbert called out when he saw Joe in the hallway.
So nice to meet you.
Won't you join us at the table?
Herbert asked.
Coffee or tea, Mr. Goggery?
Joe set his hat on the mantle.
Whichever you'd like, Joe answered quietly.
Coffee, then, Herbert said.
Joe said, fine choice, but don't you find coffee hurts your stomach?
We'll have tea instead.
Herbert poured and we sat down to breakfast.
Joe's hat fell off the mantle.
He stood up, put it in the very same spot, and it tumbled down again.
Herbert asked, when did you come into town, Mr. Gargery?
Yesterday afternoon.
Joe coughed into his hand as if the London air had already made him ill.
Yes, yes it were.
His hat fell from the mantle for the third time, and he had to rescue it once more.
Joe's behavior was beginning to embarrass me.
I was relieved when Herbert set off for the day.
Joe turned to me.
Now that it's just the two of us, sir, I've got something to— Joe!
I snapped.
There's no need to call me sir.
What is it?
Why have you come?
Joe told a long, rambling story about the three jolly bargemen before getting to the point.
You see, Pip, she wants to see you.
Who?
Miss Havisham.
Why didn't you tell me that right away?
You know how important Miss Havisham is to me, I said sharply.
Now, wait a minute.
Let me remember.
Something about the girl being pleased if she could see you.
Estella?
Seems she's back from school and would be glad for your company.
It was Biddy's idea for me to tell you in person.
Breakfast was finished and he thanked me for the meal.
As he stood up to leave, he said, Some people are just blacksmiths, I suppose.
I'm not fit for these clothes or this city.
Doubt I'll be back, but I hope you'll come and see us at the forge.
He touched my forehead and left.
As soon as I realized that dear Joe would never come to see me again, I rushed out into the street to find him.
He was already gone.
I felt awful about the way I had treated him.
I booked a coach to take me home the very next day so I could see Miss Havisham and Estella.
I was ashamed of how poorly I had treated Joe, but still I didn't want to go home, so I booked a room at the Blue Boar Hotel and walked the long way around so I wouldn't have to pass the ford.
Walking the cold, foggy streets I thought Miss Havisham has given me a wonderful new life in London.
How will I ever repay her?
I decided right then and there that I'd be the one to rebuild Manor House.
I'd tear down the cobwebs and be her hero.
When I arrived at the gate, it gave me quite a shock to find Orlick standing there.
What are you doing?
I said.
Orlick stared at me.
There are more changes in life than just yours, Pip. he replied.
How long has it been since you've left the forge?
I asked.
How long since you've left the forge?
It's my job now to open the gate.
Might as well come through, he said.
Even after all this time, I knew Manor House couldn't have changed, but the dark staircase no longer made me frightened.
I had been up and down it so many times.
I knocked on Miss Havisham's door.
She called.
Why, that's Pip's knock.
Please come in.
She was in her chair next to the old table, wearing the same old dress.
The white shoe that had never been worn sat atop the table beside her.
When I greeted her in my new gentlemanly manner, she smiled.
You kiss my hand as if I were a queen.
Well?
I said, you wanted to see me?
Miss Havisham tilted her head and I noticed there a young lady in the room.
Well, Miss Havisham said.
It was Estella.
She too gave me her hand to kiss.
I said, it's very nice to see you.
Hasn't she changed, Pip?
Miss Havisham said.
I didn't even recognize her, I replied.
Isn't Pip less common?
She asked Estella.
Estella laughed and said, yes, the boy's not as rough around the edges.
She proudly told me about coming home from France.
I'm to go to London soon, she said in that very bored way she spoke.
Even so, I still wanted to impress her.
That never changed.
Miss Havisham announced that I was to stay at Manor House for the day.
Then she sent the two of us outside.
We walked through the weeds and grass.
Do you remember the fight you had out there with Herbert? she asked.
He and I are great friends now, I said.
You had no idea then that you would become a gentleman, did you?
None, I said softly.
My life's very different now.
Walking was difficult because the garden was so overgrown.
Do you remember how you would leave food for me on the steps and walk away without saying anything?
I asked.
She laughed.
Oh, Pip.
"'Don't be silly.
I would never do such a thing.'
How did she not remember this detail of my every visit?
I recalled everything that had happened between us.
Right then I knew Estella would never be as fond of me as I was of her.
"'Now you're going to start crying,' she teased.
"'Let's go inside.
I'm tired.'
Estella went upstairs to change for dinner.
Miss Havisham pulled me aside and said, You must always be her friend, Pip.
Even if she treats you horribly or is very mean, promise me you'll still be her friend.
I promise, Miss Havisham, I said.
Miss Havisham was so excited she rose up out of her chair and almost fell over.
I caught her and helped her sit back down.
When I turned, I was surprised to see Mr. Jagger standing there.
What are you doing here, Pip? he asked.
I arrived this morning to see Miss Havisham and Estella.
She's a fine young lady, isn't she?
Mr. Dagger said of Estella.
For some reason this annoyed Miss Havisham.
Oh, shut up, both of you, and get down to dinner.
Estella and Sarah Pocket joined us, but Miss Havisham stayed upstairs.
After the meal, the four of us played cards.
Miss Havisham came down to watch, just as she had when I was a boy.
Before I left, Miss Havisham pulled me aside.
Pip, you must visit with Estella in London.
Of course, I agreed.
I said good night to everyone and went back to the Blue Boar for the night.
Back in London the next day I told Herbert about the strange evening and my promise to Miss Havisham.
Doesn't sound that odd, Pip, he said.
Seems to me she's just looking out for Estella.
I hope my inheritance isn't dependent upon Estella's friendship.
She's never liked me.
Mr. Jaggers has never said so, right?
Herbert asked.
No, absolutely not, I answered.
Then you've got nothing to worry about.
Forget about silly, snobby Estella.
Everything will turn out all right.
I know it.
