David Copperfield

Chapter 114 Mr. Micawber's Affairs (1)
Chapter 54 Mr. Micawber's Affairs (1)
I am now under the weight of mourning, and it is not a time for me to describe my own state of mind.I actually feel that my future is blocked, that my life's energy and vigor are at an end, and that my grave is my only refuge.During those days, it felt as if my deepest pain was a thing of the past.Then my mind could console itself with the most innocent and beautiful of all things, with the story of that forever past.

How the idea that I should go abroad, or that I should change my surroundings and relieve my sorrow by travel, came to unanimity among us, I do not yet know very well.During that time of grief, Agnes' spirit permeated everything we wanted to say and do.I am confident that I can attribute this program to her role.But her effect was so subtle that I did not feel it myself.

I now began to think that when I used to associate her with church windows, this association was a harbinger of impending misfortune in my life.In the depths of my grief, she stood before me with her hands upraised, and from that moment I will never forget, she was like a god in my lonely home, and when death came there, my childish My wife lay in her arms - when I could bear it, they told me - and fell asleep smiling.I woke up in a daze, and the first thing I saw were her tears of sympathy.Her words of hope and consolation, and her face soft to assuage her sorrow (as if hanging down from a pure land near heaven), bowed over my untrained heart.

Let me get on with it.

I'm going to go abroad, we've decided on that.We buried all the moving parts of my late wife.I look forward to the departure of Mr. Micawber and his party.

My aunt, Agnes and I returned to Canterbury at Traddles' invitation.We went to Mr. Micawber's as agreed.My friend has been working there for Mr. Wakefield's since that explosive party.When Mrs. Micawber saw me in mourning, she was deeply moved.In Mrs. Micawber's heart, there was an incomparable kindness that had not been extinguished for a long time.

"Well, Mr. and Mrs. Micawber," said my aunt first, "have you considered my proposal concerning your emigration abroad?"

"Miss," replied Mr. Micawber, "we are a family, and together we have come to a conclusion. To paraphrase Byron's poem: My boat is at anchor, and my boat is at sea."

"Excellent!" said my aunt. "I expect all sorts of good things to come from your conclusion."

"Miss, thanks to you, thanks to you." He took it and said.He took out a blotter, "I have thought of important business matters concerning the pecuniary assistance to set our flimsy boat underway, and I propose to send my promissory notes--needless to say, in accordance with the various regulations imposed by Parliament on such papers. A kind of bill, written on the belt ticket - set for one and a half years, two years, two and a half years, my original proposal was one, one and a half years, two years, but I think such a provision may not give me enough and wait for the right opportunity. At the expiry of the first promissory note, our proceeds," said Mr. Micawber, looking round the room as if it represented several hundred acres, "may not be It will be well, we all may not have a good harvest. In this part of our colony, where we struggle with the fertile land, labor will sometimes be scarce."

"Order it as you please, sir," said my aunt.

"Miss," he replied, "Mrs. Micawber and myself are very grateful for the most gracious offer. I hope we will be completely businesslike and punctual. As we turn the page of a new life, as we step back As I take one step towards the astonishing success of the future, I feel that these rules are as businesslike as between men!"

"I suggest," said Mr. Micawber, "the use of promissory notes--an instrument of commerce which, I think, was invented by the Jews. They use it too widely--as promissory notes can be discounted. But if In the case of bonds, or any other securities, I must execute all such securities as businessly as between man and man."

My aunt said that since both sides agreed that whatever was possible, she felt that there was no difficult difficulty in this matter.Mr Micawber agreed with her.

"We are so occupied with our future, miss," said Mr. Micawber, "that I can report all our domestic preparations. Every morning at five o'clock my oldest daughter goes to learn to milk a cow in a neighboring place." ; my younger children went to see the pigs and fowls raised in the poor parts of the city; during the past week I had paid much attention to the art of baking; my son Wilkin, when the shepherds permitted him to serve, Take a cane and drive the cattle."

"All the work is well done," said my aunt, "and Mrs. Micawber is not having it easy."

"My dear miss," said Mrs. Micawber, "I do not deny that, though I am perfectly aware that in a foreign country I must take care of farming and livestock, I have not been more active in this respect. When I have done my housework, I took that opportunity to correspond with my natal family. I think, Mr. Copperfield," said Mrs. Micawber, "that we have come so far that the past should not be mentioned. My natal family should communicate with Mr. Micawber. Shake hands and make peace. And Mr. Micawber too. As the beast shall lie down with the lamb, my family shall be reconciled to Mr. Micawber."

I replied, I thought so too.

"That, at least, Mr. Copperfield," said Mrs. Micawber, "is my own view on the subject. When I lived with my parents, when we talked about everything, my father always It is customary to ask, 'What does my Emma think of the matter?' This is my father's preference for me. But as to Mr. Micawber's discord with my natal family, I must have my own. opinion, even if my opinion is dubious."

"That's all right, of course you should have your own opinion, ma'am," said my aunt.

"Indeed," said Mrs. Micawber, "then I may be wrong, but it is my impression that the gulf between my natal family and Mr. A kind of apprehension. My natal family feared Mr. Micawber's financial difficulties and need of accommodation, and I couldn't help thinking," said Mrs. Micawber with an air of knowing everything, "that my natal family would have The apprehension that Mr. Micawber will draw cash in their names on bills of exchange, in the money market."

My aunt replied, "Ma'am, I think you are right."

"Because Mr. Micawber will soon be free from the money shackles that have been imposed upon him for so long," said Mrs. Micawber, "to start a new career in a place where he can use his talents-this is very important, Mr. Micawber—I think my family is due to praise him. What I look forward to is, at my family's expense, to give a party where Mr. Micawber will meet my family."

"My dear," said Mr. Micawber, "you were born of impertinent philistines and downright villains."

"Micawber," said Mrs. Micawber, "it's not! You never knew them, and they never knew you."

Mr. Micawber calmed down, and said: "All I want to say is that without your mother's coming to honor me--I can still go abroad. If they will condescend to answer your letter--judged by our experience, This is indisputable - I will never be the one standing in the way of your wishes being fulfilled."

Now that the matter was thus settled, Mr. Micawber, having cast a glance at the pile of ledgers and papers lying on the table before Traddles, said that he would disturb us no more, and departed.

"Copperfield," said Traddles, "I know you are very much interested in one thing. It will probably relieve your sorrows. Are you tired?"

"I've recovered," I said. "If we want to think of others, we should think of my aunt. She has done a lot of things!"

"Of course," replied Traddles. "We must not forget."

I said: "During the past fortnight she has had a new trouble. She has been in and out of London every day, and on several occasions she has even left early and late. You know how sympathetic she is, and she does not want to let her distress I know."

When I said this, my aunt wept.

"I'm nothing, Tro, it's all going to pass in a moment. You'll find out soon. So, Agnes, let's focus on these things!"

"To be fair to Mr. Micawber," said Traddles, "though he does not seem to be doing his best for himself, he is the most indefatigable man when it comes to others. If he goes on doing so, His actual age at present must be well over two hundred years. His exuberant zeal, his frenzied prowess in his relentless poring over of papers and accounts, and his profuse writing to me between this house and Mr. Wakefield's The letter, which is really astonishing."

"And Mr. Dick," said Traddles, "has done a great job too! When he was out of spying on Julia Heep, he was looking after Mr. Wickfield. In fact, his eagerness for His dedication to our investigative work, and his actual contributions in selecting, transcribing, carrying, and moving documents are really a great support to us."

"Dick is a very unusual man," cried my aunt. "I've always said that about him. You know that, Troll."

"Happily, Miss Wickfield," said Traddles, "Mr. Wickfield has been much better off in your absence. He is free from the evil spirit which had possessed him so long, With the dreadful worries out of life, he's like a different person now. Sometimes his ability to concentrate and remember certain things is greatly restored. He can help us in explaining certain things .It will be difficult for us to solve the problem without his help. Let me report the result."

Traddles said: "Following a sweep of our funds and a great deal of inadvertent and deliberate confusion and falsification, we have concluded that Mr Wakefield is now able to wind up his affairs, and his trust affairs, without any Lack and deficiency."

"Oh, thank God!" Agnes exclaimed excitedly.

"But," said Traddles, "the surplus of his living bonus--we assume the house is going to be sold--is no more than a few hundred pounds at the most. Miss Wickfield wondered, therefore, whether he should keep his estate agency. His friends can advise him."

(End of this chapter)