12 A new start. Glossary. deserted: left somebody in a certain situation with no help or support

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1 10 12 A new start Magwitch was taken to a hospital in London. I was allowed to go with him and look after him during the journey. I held his hand and looked at him. I no longer saw a dangerous convict, but an affectionate, generous man a better man than me. His trial was arranged for the following month. He was too ill to go to prison, so he stayed in the hospital. Although I saw him every day, I never saw a change for the better in his condition. One evening during this dark period of my life, Herbert came home and announced that Clarriker s was sending him to work in Egypt. It s a good opportunity, he said. I must go. Then he added after a short pause, Have you thought about your future, Pip? No, I answered. I m too afraid to. Well, he said. We ll need a clerk in the office in Cairo. What about coming with me? Thank you, Herbert, I said. It s a very kind offer. But I m afraid that I m too worried at the moment to be able to make a decision. I ll think about it and let you know. Magwitch was sentenced to death at his trial. A few days later when I arrived to visit him, I saw that he was dying. I took his hand gently. My dear boy! he managed to say. You ve never deserted me. I pressed his hand. I remembered a time when I wanted to desert him. Glossary deserted: left somebody in a certain situation with no help or support 80

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3 Are you in much pain today? I asked. I can bear it, dear boy. Dear Magwitch, I must tell you something, I said. Can you understand what I say? He pressed my hand. You had a child once. A child you loved and lost. Now she s a lady and she s very beautiful. And I love her! He lifted my hand to his lips. Then his head fell quietly on his chest. After Magwitch died, I was ill for many weeks. I can remember only one thing from that time Joe s face. He was there all the time, looking after me. One day when I was feeling better, I woke up and found a note on the table. It said: I have gone home, Pip, because you are well again and don t need old Joe. There was also a receipt for the payment of all my debts. That day I made two decisions. One was to go to the forge and thank Joe. The other was to ask Biddy to marry me. PIP S FUTURE What do you think? Tick ( ) Yes or No. Biddy will agree to marry Pip. Yes No Pip will go back to his job at the forge. Yes No Pip will never see Estella again. Yes No 82

4 Biddy now taught at the village school, so I went there first. However, when I arrived it was closed. The forge was closed too. I found Joe and Biddy in the kitchen. They were both surprised to see me. But Joe! Biddy! How smart you are today! I said. Biddy looked at Joe and smiled. It s our wedding day, Pip, she said. Joe and I are married! I had to sit down because I suddenly felt very weak. When I was feeling stronger, I was able to say, Dear Biddy, you have the best husband in the world. And, dear Joe, you have the best wife in the world. You ll make each other very happy. And I want to thank both of you for all you have done for me. I have repaid you badly for your kindness, I know. Joe started to say something, but I stopped him and continued. I m going abroad to work soon. I intend to send you all the money I owe you, Joe. And now, although I know you have already done it in your own kind heart, please tell me that you forgive me! Dear old Pip, said Joe with tears in his eyes. There s nothing to forgive! We had dinner together, and afterwards Joe and Biddy came with me to the coach stop to say goodbye. When I got back to London, I sold everything I had and went to join Herbert in Egypt. I was there for eleven years. When I eventually returned to England, Joe and Biddy were the first people I went to see. 83

5 One evening I went to look at Satis House. It was beginning to get dark and there was already a pale moon in the sky. The house was now in very bad condition so I walked around the garden. I knew from Joe that Miss Havisham was dead. I also knew that Drummle was dead too. As I remembered this, I saw a woman at the end of the garden path. Estella! Pip! I m surprised you recognise me! She looked older, but she was still beautiful. We walked and talked for a while and then she said, Tell me that we are still friends, Pip. We are friends, I replied. I took her hand in mine and, as the moon rose higher in the sky, we left the garden together. 84