Page 388 - david-copperfield

life; I may say, with the turning-point of my existence. Cop-
perfield, my dear fellow, how do you do?’
I cannot say - I really cannot say - that I was glad to see
Mr. Micawber there; but I was glad to see him too, and
shook hands with him, heartily, inquiring how Mrs. Mi-
cawber was.
‘Thank you,’ said Mr. Micawber, waving his hand as of
old, and settling his chin in his shirt-collar. ‘She is tolerably
convalescent. The twins no longer derive their sustenance
from Nature’s founts - in short,’ said Mr. Micawber, in one
of his bursts of confidence, ‘they are weaned - and Mrs. Mi-
cawber is, at present, my travelling companion. She will be
rejoiced, Copperfield, to renew her acquaintance with one
who has proved himself in all respects a worthy minister at
the sacred altar of friendship.’
I said I should be delighted to see her.
‘You are very good,’ said Mr. Micawber.
Mr. Micawber then smiled, settled his chin again, and
looked about him.
‘I have discovered my friend Copperfield,’ said Mr.
Micawber genteelly, and without addressing himself partic-
ularly to anyone, ‘not in solitude, but partaking of a social
meal in company with a widow lady, and one who is appar-
ently her offspring - in short,’ said Mr. Micawber, in another
of his bursts of confidence, ‘her son. I shall esteem it an hon-
our to be presented.’
I could do no less, under these circumstances, than
make Mr. Micawber known to Uriah Heep and his mother;
which I accordingly did. As they abased themselves before