David Copperfield

Chapter 97 Reviewing Again
Chapter 43 Revisiting

Let me look back again at an unforgettable period of my life.Let me stand aside and watch the smoke-like living things, together with my own floating life, pass me by indistinctly.

Week after week, month after month, season after season, one after another.

Nothing had changed in the house of the two old ladies.The clock still ticked on the mantelpiece, and the barometer still hung silently in the hall.Neither the clock nor the barometer was accurate.But we still believe in them.

I'm already a legal adult.I've achieved the dignity of being 21 years old.But this kind of dignity is something you don't ask for, and it's imposed on people.Now let me see what I have done.

I've got that crude and mysterious shorthand to myself.I also earn a decent income from it.I also gained a high reputation for covering the debate in Congress for a morning paper, along with eleven others.

Traddles, too, had tried his hand in the same trade, but it did not suit him.He readily admitted his failure and told me that he always felt he was dull.Occasionally he did something for the newspaper, but it was limited to editing dry things for someone with more literary talent to polish.He was now called to the bar, and by his industry had saved a further hundred pounds, which he gave to a contractor for his apprenticeship in his firm.On the day of his first court appearance, he had celebrated by drinking copious amounts of red wine.

I myself found my way out elsewhere.I entered the writing business with trepidation.I wrote a short piece, submitted it to a magazine, and it was actually published in that magazine later.Since that time, I have mustered up my energy and wrote many unsightly essays.Now, I regularly get paid for these essays.Overall, I've had a great time.When I calculated the income, not only had I counted the three fingers on my left hand, but I had already counted down to the middle section of the fourth finger. (Note: Count the fingers of the left hand with the right hand, each finger is 33 pounds, a joint is more than [-] pounds, three fingers are [-] pounds, and the middle joint of the fourth finger is about [-] pounds.)

We've now moved into a very interesting house, but my aunt (who has sold the Doo Buddha's house for a good price) won't live here and plans to move into a smaller house nearby go.

What does this portend? My marriage? Yes, exactly!

I'm going to marry Dora! Miss Lavinia and Miss Clarissa have agreed, and Miss Lavinia volunteers to give me my darling overseer gown.

Miss Clarissa and my aunt traveled all over London to pick out pieces of furniture, and when we were going to see the kitchen grate and spit, Dora fell in love with a kennel in the style of a Chinese house, There is also a small bell on the top, which must be bought for Jeep.Jeep is not used to this new house for a long time.

Peggotty came to London to help, and immediately set to work.Her job in that department seemed to be to wipe everything over and over again.She kept rubbing it until it glowed like her own forehead, and then she didn't stop.

When I have time, in order to go through the formalities, I occasionally go to the doctoral school for a face-to-face meeting.One afternoon, Traddles came to see me at the doctor's college with a solemn expression. It turned out that the dream I had had since childhood was about to become a reality.I'm about to get a marriage certificate.

A marriage certificate is just a small certificate, but how important it is.Traddles gazed enviously as it lay on my desk.The names of David Copperfield and Dora Spenlow are joined together like sweet old dreams; and the corners are stamped with a good-natured concern for life's dealings, Father and the Archbishop of Canterbury who blesses us in printed letters at the cheapest price.

Even so, it was as if I were in a dream—in an obsessive, contented dream.I can't believe I'm getting married and things are going so smoothly.I had no need of Traddles at all, but they were still present at my side as best men.

"I hope, next time you come here," I said to Traddles, "you will do the same thing."

"Thank you for your kindness, my dear Copperfield," he answered; "I hope so too. It is a real pleasure to me to think that she will wait for me, however long, and that she is a sweetest girl indeed." kind of consolation—"

"When are you going to pick her up at the post?" I asked.

"Seven o'clock," said Traddles, looking at his watch—"that's about the time Miss Wickfield will arrive, isn't it?"

"That was a little earlier than when she arrived. She didn't arrive until 08:30."

"I can tell you," said Traddles, "that I am as happy for you as I am married myself. You have invited Sophy to this delightful wedding, and to be a bridesmaid with Miss Wickfield. It really touched me."

Sophie arrived on time.She had the most lovely face--not absolutely beautiful, but very good-looking.Traddles was very proud when he introduced her to us.

I took Agnes back, and her happy, beautiful face was among us again.Agnes was particularly fond of Traddles, and it was very interesting to see the smug look on Traddles' face when he introduced Sophie to her.

We had a very, very happy evening! I still can't believe it all though.I became disoriented.When my happiness comes, I cannot see where it comes from.I feel groggy, as if I haven't slept in a week or two.I can't tell what time it was yesterday.I seem to have been running around with that marriage certificate in my pocket for months.

Next day we all flocked to see the house where Dora and I lived--it was a beautiful little house: everything was very pretty and new.The flowers on the carpet seemed fresh from the trees; the green leaves on the wallpaper seemed fresh; the curtains were of immaculate white muslin; A straw hat with a blue ribbon—she wore that when I first saw her, how I loved her!—was hanging on the wall; In the box, it fits naturally in a corner.Anyone who went up to a kennel of the jeep tower type stumbled, for such a kennel was obviously too big for the house.

We passed an equally merry evening, which, like the rest, was a dream.

At this time Dora had already put on tomorrow's clothes and hats, and let me see.I took my little lady in my arms, and I squeezed Dora's hat, and Dora was crying and laughing at the same time, she was so glad to see me.

"Is it nice, David?" said Dora.

"Of course! Very nice."

"Do you really love me?" said Dora.

In order not to ruin the hat again, Dora stood merrily for my appreciation.Then, he ran away.Then she put on her usual clothes and came back.She asked Kip if I married a small and beautiful lady, and if Kip blamed her for getting married.

I returned to my nearby apartment feeling more unreal than before.I got up very early the next day, and rode to Hygate Avenue to meet my aunt.

My aunt looked amazing in her lavender silk dress and white hat.Peggotty is on his way to church, and see our wedding from the choir box.Mr. Dick, who was going to deliver Dora to the surrogate before the altar, had already permed his hair.Traddles and I made an appointment to meet at the revolving door, and when he appeared, he dazzled the eye in all shades of cream and light blue.Both he and Mr. Dick gave the impression that they had gloves all over their bodies.

No doubt I've seen them all, and I feel they deserve it.But I was confused, as if I didn't see anything.I also don't believe any of that is true.However, when we passed by in a carriage, this dreamlike wedding seemed somewhat real.Because it makes me feel a little sorry for the poor people who just run in and out of the store and go about their daily occupations, who have no chance of attending the wedding.

My aunt held my hand tightly along the way.When we were nearly at church, and the carriage stopped to let Peggotty out, my aunt squeezed my hand hard, and gave me a kiss.

"God bless you, even my own child can't be closer than you."

"I also miss all the kindness you have shown me, Auntie."

"It's all right, boy! Don't talk!" said my aunt.Traddles, Dick, and I came to the church door hand in hand.

It was very quiet in the church, but by then I was too dazed to be called quiet and composed.

The rest is a more or less disconnected dream.

How they entered the church with Dora; how the ushers placed us at the altar rail like recruits.Even then I couldn't understand in my heart why ushers were always made of the most annoying women, and whether religion had a godlike fear of people's pleasures, like the fear of contagion, and therefore Having to set up such unhappy people on the way to heaven: all this is like a great dream to me.

How the priest and the clerk appeared, how some boatmen and other idlers entered the church, how an old boatman behind me filled the church with the smell of red wine, how the priest started the wedding in a low voice, how we listened: all this All kinds of situations, to me, are like a big dream.

How Miss Lavinia, like a half-maid of honor, was the first to weep, and greeted the dead Mr. Piggle with a sobbing voice (as I supposed);How Agnes took care of Dora; how my aunt stole her heart and pretended to be a model of seriousness, while the tears couldn't stop streaming down her face; how Dora trembled and answered with a feeble voice: all these situations For me, it's like a big dream.

How we knelt side by side; how Dora slowly ceased to tremble, but held Agnes's hand tightly; how the wedding ended quietly and solemnly; The laughing and crying attitude, looking at each other; how my lovely wife was hysterical in the dressing room, crying for her poor papa, her dear papa: all these situations, to me, were like big dream.

How Dora was cheerful again in a moment; how we all signed the register; how I went upstairs myself, and found Peggotty, and she signed too; how Peggotty put her arms around me in a secluded corner. , that she saw my mother get married, and how the wedding was over; how we left the church: all this, to me, was like a great dream.

How proudly and enthusiastically I walked my pretty wife on the arm through the aisles of the church; how I saw the people, the pulpit, the monument, the pews, the baptistery, the organ, and the windows, all in a daze, as if in a fog , On the faces of these people, vaguely appear: All these situations, to me, are like a big dream.

How people whispered what a young couple we were, and what a lovely, pretty lady she was, as we passed; When she saw me asking Traddles for the marriage certificate, she nearly fainted with joy, for she believed with all her heart that Traddles had thrown it away, or had it stolen by a pickpocket; what about Agnes? Laughing merrily; how Dora loved Agnes, and would not part from her, and held her hand all the time: all this, to me, was like a great dream.

How we prepared a breakfast, rich in food and drink, good-looking, and cheap; how I ate and drank, as in other dreams, but could not taste a thing.I can say that all these situations are like a big dream to me.

How, as in a dream, I gave them a speech without knowing what I was going to say, except that my speech, when it came down to it, was quite convincing Yes, I didn't say anything; how we were with everybody and just laughed; how we gave jeep cakes and he got sick to his stomach after eating them: all this was like a big dream to me.

How the pair of horses, rented from the posting-house, were ridden; how Dora went to dress; how my aunt and Clarissa stayed with us; how we walked in the garden; How happy she herself was when she gave a speech which moved the two aunts Dora, and how she was a little proud of it: all these circumstances seemed to me like a great dream.

How Dora got ready, how Miss Lavinia lingered beside her, and could not bear to be parted from her fair pet; how Dora made some astonishing discoveries, this thing was forgotten, that little thing was left behind, So how everyone ran around looking for these things: all this kind of situation, for me, is like a big dream.

How they gathered when Dora at last said good-bye to them, and how my dear darling, crowded and breathless among these people dressed like flowers, went away, laughing and crying. Come out, into my jealously outstretched arms: all this is like a great dream to me.

How I want to hold Jeep (he wants to go with us), how Dora said no, she must hold it, otherwise, it will feel that she is married now and doesn't like it, which will make it feel sad and how we went on arm in arm; how Dora stopped, and turned round, and said to them, "If I ever lost my temper and offended anyone, please don't take it to heart!" The son cried! All these situations, to me, are like a big dream.

How she waved her little hand, how we went on again, how she stopped again, turned her head, ran to Agnes, alone among them all, gave Agnes the last kiss, and bid her farewell : All these situations are like a big dream to me.

We left in the car together, and at that time, I also woke up from that dream.I am finally convinced that all this is true.Next to me is my very cute, very petite and lovely new wife!

"You are satisfied now," said Dora. "Can you promise you will not regret it?"

I was just standing there watching that part of my life passing away like a fantasy.Those days are gone and never to return, and I will resume my long story.

(End of this chapter)