David Copperfield

Chapter 118
Chapter 57 The Son Who Went to the Country (1)
After being struck by the death of friends one after another, I still have to do one thing, that is, to hide what happened from those who are about to go far away, and let them go on their long sea voyage happily.This cannot be tolerated for a moment.

That night I caused Mr. Micawber to conceal all the unfortunate news from Mr. Peggotty.He readily agreed.

"If the information is not well guarded, and he knows it," said Mr. Micawber, "it must pass through me, sir."

It is necessary to say that Mr. Micawber's air of adaptation to his new surroundings was not one of contempt for law, but was of a defensive and daring character.It must have seemed to him that he had lived so long in the wild, accustomed to uncivilized life, and was now returning to a wild place of his own.

In the luggage he prepared for himself, there was a full waterproof suit and a low straw hat smeared with asphalt or stuffed with burlap.In such a suit, and with an ordinary telescope under his arm, he looked astute and capable, and with his quickness in observing the course of the sky, he was more a sailor than Mr. Peggotty.His whole family is ready to go.I saw Mrs. Micawber tightly tied a hat on her head, and put on a big shawl, wrapped tightly like a rice dumpling.Miss Micawber wore the same attire for the inclement weather of the storm.Master Micawber let his hairy sailor suit barely conceal him.The other smaller children were also packed in waterproof bags like bacon.Mr. Micawber and his eldest son rolled their sleeves up to their wrists, as if prepared for any difficulty.

At sunset Traddles and I saw them gathered on the steps, and watched the boat sail away with their property.I have told Traddles what happened in the hurricane, and he was astonished.But there is no doubt that he will help me keep the secret, and he promised to help me with this last business.

The Micawbers lived in a squalid, ramshackle tavern.The tavern at that time stood close to the steps, and the house was half-hanging over the river.Because the Micawbers were about to move overseas, they became the focus of people's attention in that area. Many idlers came to watch, and we avoided their bedroom.My aunt and Agnes were there too, adding fun little additions to the kids' clothes.Peggotty was beside them to help them.

Answering his questions was difficult, and when Mr. Micawber brought Mr. Peggotty into the house, I told him in a low voice that the letter had been delivered and everything was in order.If my face showed any trace of sadness, I had to use my own sorrow to explain it.

"When will the ship leave, Mr. Micawber?" asked my aunt.

"Miss," he answered, "we have to be on board by seven o'clock to-morrow morning."

"That's fast," said my aunt. "Is that what sailing is all about, Mr. Peggotty?"

"That's right, miss. The boat has to go out to sea with the tide. If Master Wei and my sister get on board in Gravesend tomorrow afternoon, we can see each other for the last time."

"We'll definitely go," I said. "Sure!"

"That is, before we are at sea," said Mr. Micawber, "Mr. Peggotty will be on guard with me in charge of the baggage. Emma," said Mr. Micawber, "Mr. Thomas Traddles is very You are very polite, and said that you want to order a condiment for us, that is, the kind we always think are inseparable from the English roast beef, to see us off. That is to add cooking wine. Usually I dare not invite Miss Trowood and Wakefield Miss Ill is a compliment, but—"

"Then let me say a few words on behalf of myself." My aunt said, "I am very happy to bless you. I wish you all the best, happiness and health!"

"Of course I do!" said Agnes.

Mr. Micawber immediately ran to the bar, and brought back a steaming jar in a few minutes.He had just peeled the lemon with one of his jackknife.The knife was about a foot long, as if that was the only way to be worthy of his pioneer status.When he was done, he wiped the knife on the sleeve of his coat, not without boasting.Only then did I see that Mrs. Micawber and the two older children were carrying the same astonishing implement, while the younger children had wooden spoons fastened to their bodies by thick cords.Mr. Micawber, for a rehearsal at sea and in the woods, served his family not glasses, but a set of distasteful little tin cans.When dinner was over he put the tin can in his pocket.His expression was so cheerful, as if he was happier than ever.

"The ostentation of the homeland," said Mr. Micawber proudly, "we don't want it. No one who lives in the forest can expect to enjoy the finer things of the country."

At this point a waiter came in to announce that Mr. Micawber was to be seen.

"I have an omen," said Mrs. Micawber, "that it must be my natal family."

"If so, my dear," said Mr. Micawber angrily, "because your natal family—whoever—we've been waiting for quite some time, perhaps this one can wait until I am free. .”

"Micawber," said his wife, "at this time—"

"This is not the time for vengeance," said Mr. Micawber, rising. "Emma, ​​I would rather be punished."

"The injury," said his wife, "is not yours, but my natal family's. If my natal family realizes how much their past actions have caused them to suffer, and therefore is willing to show friendship, we will not Just ignore him."

"My dear," he replied, "it's up to you."

"If you don't think of them, think of me, Micawber," went on his wife.

"Emma," he replied, "at this moment I shall not object to your opinion. Although, as yet, I cannot promise to shake hands with your natal family. But since he is waiting outside, I am determined not to let him be shut down."

Mr. Micawber was gone, and Mrs. Micawber could not be reassured lest he should start a quarrel with the maiden.But the waiter reappeared, and handed me a note which began in legal form: "Heap v. Micawber case." I understood Mr. Micawber's sinking into the abyss of desperation for his re-arrest.

After receiving this note, I naturally went down with my child to pay the arrears.Downstairs I saw Mr. Micawber, looking sullenly at the sheriff who had arrested him.When he was released, he hugged me extremely warmly.

We went back to our room upstairs.

"My omens are still there," said Mrs. Micawber, "that my natal family will show themselves on board the ship before we set off."

"If you can send a letter home during your journey, Mrs. Micawber," said my aunt, "you will write to us, remember."

"My dear Miss Trowood," she answered, "I am so glad to think that we are taken care of. I shall write. Mr. Copperfield will not wish me to write to you now and then." Do you believe me?"

I said I would be glad to hear about them, if only she would write to me.

"Bless God, there are plenty of opportunities to write letters," said Mr. Micawber. "The sea is full of ships at this time, and we must meet many returning ships as we pass. It is only a ferry."

Some things struck me as strange when I thought about them, and seemed to be quite in keeping with Mr. Micawber's character: when he went from London to Canterbury, he talked as if he were going to the ends of the earth.And when he went from England to Australia, it seemed that he was just making a short trip across the English Channel.

"During the voyage," said Mr. Micawber, "I would tell them stories from time to time. My son Wilkin has a melodious voice, and I think he would be very welcome by the fireside in the galley. Mrs. Micawber was used to When the sea waves are bumpy, she will definitely sing "Little Tavern" to them. We can often see dolphins and sea pigs running around on the bow, or look at all kinds of interesting things on the side of the boat .All in all," said Mr. Micawber, with old-fashioned air, "we feel the thrill of being on and off a ship. So when the watchman on the mainmast shouts 'Land!', we still feel I'm a little annoyed!"

As he spoke, he threw back his head and drank the wine in the tin can, as if the voyage was over and he had passed the first-class examination of the highest maritime authority.

(End of this chapter)