Page 80 - david-copperfield

amount of that firmness and decision of which it stood in
need. But when Jane Murdstone is kind enough to come to
my assistance in this endeavour, and to assume, for my sake,
a condition something like a housekeeper’s, and when she
meets with a base return -’
‘Oh, pray, pray, Edward,’ cried my mother, ‘don’t accuse
me of being ungrateful. I am sure I am not ungrateful. No
one ever said I was before. I have many faults, but not that.
Oh, don’t, my dear!’
‘When Jane Murdstone meets, I say,’ he went on, after
waiting until my mother was silent, ‘with a base return, that
feeling of mine is chilled and altered.’
‘Don’t, my love, say that!’ implored my mother very pite-
ously. ‘Oh, don’t, Edward! I can’t bear to hear it. Whatever I
am, I am affectionate. I know I am affectionate. I wouldn’t
say it, if I wasn’t sure that I am. Ask Peggotty. I am sure
she’ll tell you I’m affectionate.’
‘There is no extent of mere weakness, Clara,’ said Mr.
Murdstone in reply, ‘that can have the least weight with me.
You lose breath.’
‘Pray let us be friends,’ said my mother, ‘I couldn’t live
under coldness or unkindness. I am so sorry. I have a great
many defects, I know, and it’s very good of you, Edward,
with your strength of mind, to endeavour to correct them
for me. Jane, I don’t object to anything. I should be quite
broken-hearted if you thought of leaving -’ My mother was
too much overcome to go on.
‘Jane Murdstone,’ said Mr. Murdstone to his sister, ‘any
harsh words between us are, I hope, uncommon. It is not my