Page 1108 - david-copperfield

‘It is undoubtedly the fact, Copperfield,’ said Traddles, to
whom I looked in surprise. ‘Mr. Micawber has consulted
me in reference to what he has in contemplation; and I have
advised him to the best of my judgement.’
‘Unless I deceive myself, Mr. Traddles,’ pursued Mr. Mi-
cawber, ‘what I contemplate is a disclosure of an important
nature.’
‘Highly so,’ said Traddles.
‘Perhaps, under such circumstances, madam and gen-
tlemen,’ said Mr. Micawber, ‘you will do me the favour to
submit yourselves, for the moment, to the direction of one
who, however unworthy to be regarded in any other light
but as a Waif and Stray upon the shore of human nature, is
still your fellow-man, though crushed out of his original
form by individual errors, and the accumulative force of a
combination of circumstances?’
‘We have perfect confidence in you, Mr. Micawber,’ said
I, ‘and will do what you please.’
‘Mr. Copperfield,’ returned Mr. Micawber, ‘your confi-
dence is not, at the existing juncture, ill-bestowed. I would
beg to be allowed a start of five minutes by the clock; and
then to receive the present company, inquiring for Miss
Wickfield, at the office of Wickfield and Heep, whose Sti-
pendiary I am.’
My aunt and I looked at Traddles, who nodded his ap-
proval.
‘I have no more,’ observed Mr. Micawber, ‘to say at pres-
ent.’
With which, to my infinite surprise, he included us all in

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