Page 277 - GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Great Expectations

that that might be an opening for a young gentleman of
spirit combined with property, which would be worthy of
his attention. But what did I think? He had great
confidence in my opinion, and what did I think? I gave it

as my opinion. ‘Wait a bit!’ The united vastness and
distinctness of this view so struck him, that he no longer
asked if he might shake hands with me, but said he really
must - and did.
We drank all the wine, and Mr. Pumblechook pledged
himself over and over again to keep Joseph up to the mark
(I don’t know what mark), and to render me efficient and
constant service (I don’t know what service). He also
made known to me for the first time in my life, and
certainly after having kept his secret wonderfully well, that
he had always said of me, ‘That boy is no common boy,
and mark me, his fortun’ will be no common fortun’.’ He
said with a tearful smile that it was a singular thing to
think of now, and I said so too. Finally, I went out into
the air, with a dim perception that there was something
unwonted in the conduct of the sunshine, and found that I
had slumberously got to the turn-pike without having
taken any account of the road.
There, I was roused by Mr. Pumblechook’s hailing me.
He was a long way down the sunny street, and was

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