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with his property under his arm. Mr. Creakle then made a
speech, through Tungay, in which he thanked Steerforth for
asserting (though perhaps too warmly) the independence
and respectability of Salem House; and which he wound
up by shaking hands with Steerforth, while we gave three
cheers - I did not quite know what for, but I supposed for
Steerforth, and so joined in them ardently, though I felt
miserable. Mr. Creakle then caned Tommy Traddles for be-
ing discovered in tears, instead of cheers, on account of Mr.
Mell’s departure; and went back to his sofa, or his bed, or
wherever he had come from.
We were left to ourselves now, and looked very blank, I
recollect, on one another. For myself, I felt so much self-re-
proach and contrition for my part in what had happened,
that nothing would have enabled me to keep back my tears
but the fear that Steerforth, who often looked at me, I saw,
might think it unfriendly - or, I should rather say, consider-
ing our relative ages, and the feeling with which I regarded
him, undutiful - if I showed the emotion which distressed
me. He was very angry with Traddles, and said he was glad
he had caught it.
Poor Traddles, who had passed the stage of lying with
his head upon the desk, and was relieving himself as usual
with a burst of skeletons, said he didn’t care. Mr. Mell was
ill-used.
‘Who has ill-used him, you girl?’ said Steerforth.
‘Why, you have,’ returned Traddles.
‘What have I done?’ said Steerforth.
‘What have you done?’ retorted Traddles. ‘Hurt his feel-

1 David Copperfield