Chapter 61 Chapter Fifty-Seven: People Who Are Planning to Emigrate Overseas

Before I realized how much my feelings had been hurt by these blows, there was one more thing I had to do.That is to hide what happened to those who are preparing to leave, so that they will know nothing about it, and they can leave happily.This is a matter of urgency and must be done immediately. That same evening I took Mr. Micawber aside, and begged him to keep the news of the calamity from Mr. Peggotty.He earnestly agreed to do so, and said that all papers that might reveal the news would be withheld. "If the news is to be given to him, sir," said Mr. Micawber, patting his chest, "it must go through this man first!"

I should say that Mr. Micawber's piracy, in adapting himself to the new social phenomenon he was about to face, was not a challenge to contempt of the law, but an act of self-defense and tact.People must have thought that he had grown up in the wilderness, that he had long been used to the uncivilized and savage life, and was about to return to his wilderness. Among other provisions, he had acquired a complete suit of oilskin clothes, and a low straw hat tarred or brushed with water-repellent material.With such rough outfit, with the common sailor's telescope tucked under his arm, and his watchful eye constantly looking up at the sky for bad weather, he looked far more like a boatman than Mr. Peggotty in appearance.His whole family (if I may say so) was ready for action.I saw Mrs. Micawber put on the sturdiest hat, with the string fastened under her chin, and the shawl which tied her up like a parcel (as I was when I was received by my aunt. bagged), tied into a strong knot at the back of the waist.I saw that Miss Micawber was likewise armed and ready for the storm, with nothing superfluous about her.Master Micawber was barely visible in his sailor's stretch underwear and the wooliest coat ever made; the other children were stuffed into impermeable pockets like hams.Mr. Micawber and his eldest son, with their sleeves loosely rolled up at their wrists, seemed ready to do anything, or to "assemble on deck," or to sing "The Anchor Song" when ordered.

At dusk Traddles and I saw the family on the wooden steps of what was then called the Hangerford Staircase, watching the boat sail away with some of their possessions.I have informed Traddles of the dreadful accident, and he has been greatly shocked, but no doubt will keep his secret, and assist me at this last moment.Just then I took Mr. Micawber aside, and got his assurance. The Micawbers lived in a dirty, crumbling tavern.At that time, the tavern was close to the steps, and the overhanging wooden house hung over the river.Since the family was going to emigrate overseas, it became a center of interest in the area around Hangerfort, attracting such a large audience that we had to hide in their bedrooms (one of the upper log cabin bedrooms, and the stream below). passing tide).My aunt and Agnes were there, busy with the children's clothes.Peggotty was there quietly helping them, and before her lay those old and unconscious sewing-boxes, measuring-measures, and candle-ends which had seen so many changes.

It was not easy to answer her inquiries; still less so, when Mr. Micawber brought in Mr. Peggotty, to whisper to the latter that I had delivered the letter and that all was well.But I did two things and made them all happy.If I showed any sentimentality, it could be explained by my own sorrow. "When does the boat leave, Mr. Micawber?" asked my aunt. Mr. Micawber felt the need to gradually prepare my aunt and his wife for parting, and said it was sooner than he expected yesterday. "You have been notified on board, I suppose?" said my aunt. "Notified, miss," he replied.

"Oh?" said my aunt, "then the ship's in—" "Miss," he answered, "I have been informed that we must be on board by seven o'clock to-morrow morning." "Aha!" said my aunt, "that was early. Is this a nautical custom, Mr. Peggotty?" "Yes, miss. It's going down the river. If Master Wei and my sister embark at Graveson to-morrow afternoon, they will see us for the last time." "We'll do that," I said, "of course." "Before this, before we are at sea," said Mr. Micawber, looking towards me, "Mr. Peggotty and I will guard our baggage and property together. Emma, ​​my love," said Micawber. "My friend, Mr. Thomas Traddles, was so polite," said the gentleman, with a great coughing, "that he would send for us the necessary accompaniment to a drink which would remind us of old England roast beef. Farewell. I mean--in a word, punch. I wouldn't dare, under normal circumstances, to ask Trowood and Miss Wickfield, but--"

"I can only say for myself," said my aunt, "that I must be very glad to drink to you, Mr. Micawber, and to wish you all happiness and success." "Me too!" said Agnes, smiling. Mr. Micawber immediately ran down to the tavern which seemed familiar to him, and presently brought back a steaming pot.I couldn't help but watch him peel a lemon with his jackknife.The knife was actually a pioneer's knife, about two feet long.He wiped the knife on the sleeve of his coat somewhat exaggeratedly.I then discovered that Mrs. Micawber and the two older children of the family were equipped with similarly hideous implements, and that the other children had wooden spoons fastened to their bodies by thick strings.And because he foresaw the life of the sea and the wilderness, Mr. Micawber did not pour wine for Mrs. Micawber and the eldest son and eldest daughter with wine glasses. In fact, it was not difficult for him to do so, because there was a rack full of wine glasses in the house; He used a set of disgusting small tin cans to pour wine for them, and he also used a special tin can for himself.When the party was over, he put the tin can in his pocket.It's the first time I've seen him so happy when he did it.

"The luxuries of the old country," said Mr. Micawber, with the great pride of parting with them, "are abandoned by us. Certainly the citizens of the Great Forest cannot expect to enjoy the delicacies of the free land." At this moment a boy came in and said that Mr. Micawber was wanted downstairs. "I have a presentiment," said Mrs. Micawber, putting down her tin-pot, "that this is from my mother's family!" "If so, my dear," said Mr. Micawber, with the indignation which was always persistent on the subject, "because of your natal family—whether it be he, or she, or it, if possible— —It has made us wait for a long time, so this one can also wait until I am free."

"Micawber," whispered his wife, "at such a time—" "This is not the time to retaliate," said Mr. Micawber, rising. "I accept the blame, Emma." "The loss, Micawber," said his wife, "is my mother's, not yours. If my mother's family finally realizes that their past actions have caused them losses, and is willing to extend a friendly hand, don't Reject it?" "My dear," he replied, "that's all." "If not for their sake; for mine, Micawber, too." said his wife. "Emma," he answered hastily, "such a point of view is irresistible at such a moment. I have not yet been quite sure of my reconciliation with your natal family, but your natal family is here and will never be left indifferent."

Mr. Micawber went out, and remained there some time.During this time Mrs. Micawber was very anxious lest he should quarrel with her natal family.Finally, the boy came in again and gave me a penciled note.The note began in the legal form: "Heap v. Micawber." From this note I learned that Mr. Micawber had been arrested again, and thus plunged into deep despair.He begged me to take his knife and tin can with the messenger, as they might be useful during his short prison life.He begged me again—as a last act of kindness—to send his family to the parish poor house, and to forget that he ever lived alone.

Of course, after reading the note, I went down with the kid to pay back the money.Below, I saw Mr. Micawber sitting in a corner, looking cloudily at the bailiff on duty.When he was released, he embraced me effusively; and entered the transaction in his pocket-note-book again--not even the half-penny which I had left out of the total I said he forgot to note, I remember. The important notebook was a timely reminder of another business.When we got back upstairs, he claimed he had been stuck down there for so long because there were things out of his control.Then, he took out a large sheet of folded paper from the notebook, and carefully wrote strings of numbers on it.I glanced around, and I had never seen such numbers in any arithmetic textbook.Those figures seem to be the calculation of the compound interest he made on the so-called "principal of 41 pounds 10 shillings 11 pence and a half".After carefully considering these figures and making a precise forecast of his own financial resources, he decided to return the principal together with compound interest in two years, fifteen months and fourteen days from today.He had written all this, neatly and orderly, into a promissory note, which he handed over gratefully to Traddles on the spot, to settle the debt in full (and as between man and man). .

"I still have a presentiment," said Mrs. Micawber, shaking her head dolefully, "that my mother's family will see me off on board before we leave." Mr. Micawber evidently had his premonition of the matter too, but he put it in his tin pot and swallowed it. "If you ever get a chance to send a letter back during your journey, Mrs. Micawber," said my aunt, "you must write to us, as you know." "My dear Miss Trotwood," she replied, "I am overjoyed to think that news of us is expected to be heard. I must write, Mr. Copperfield, I believe, as a dear Old friend, surely you have no objection to writing to a twin from someone who knew him when he was still unconscious?" I said I would love to read her letters if she had the opportunity to write them. "As God likes, there will be plenty of such opportunities," said Mr. Micawber. "The sea is full of fleets at this time, and we must meet many as we pass. It is only a ferry," said Micawber. The wife played with his glasses and said, "It's just a ferry, and the distance is really nothing." How strange, I think now, but also how Mr. Micawber behaved.When he went from London to Canterbury, he spoke of it as if he was going to the farthest point on earth; but when he went from England to Australia, it seemed as if he were only making a short journey across the Channel. "During the voyage," said Mr. Micawber, "I shall often tell them stories; and the singing of little Wilkin, I am sure, will be a hit by the galley fire. Mrs. Micawber grew out of sea Legs—I hope the analogy doesn't hurt—she would, I guess, sing "Little Tavlin" to them. We could, I believe, lean down to see the dolphins now and then, and be on the port or starboard side now and then Talk about interesting things. In short," said Micawber, with the same genteel air of his day, "we shall find all things up and down so exciting that when the lookout from the masthead We'll be amazed when we shout 'Land in sight!'!" -------- ① It is a metaphor that after getting used to the bumps in the sea, it is the same as walking on land, so it is called "haveones sea-legson". So saying, he drank from his little jug with dignity, as if he had sailed through, and had taken the highest examinations at the highest naval authority. "What I wish, my dear Mr. Copperfield," said Mrs. Micawber, "is that, above all, that by some branch of our family we may still live in the old country. Don't Frown, Micawber! I don't speak of my own natal family, but of our children's children. Though the young tree grows great;" said Mrs. Micawber, shaking her head, "don't forget its roots; when we When this branch is eminent and rich, I confess that I would like that wealth to flow into the coffers of Britain." "My dear," said Mr. Micawber, "then Britannia will have to try her luck. I must say that she has never been of any help to us, and I have never had any special wishes in that respect." "Micawber," said Mrs. Micawber, taking the words, "you are mistaken in saying so. You are going so far away, Micawber, to strengthen your relations with Albion, and to weaken it." -------- ① is the ancient name of Britain. "I repeat, my love," said Mr. Micawber presently, "that the relationship of which you speak has done me no personal good, and I am sorely in need of another relationship." "Micawber," replied Mrs. Micawber, "I repeat, you are wrong to say so. You do not know your strength, Micawber. Even if you should take such an action, if in doing so Still strengthening your relationship with Albion is a manifestation of your strength!" Mr. Micawber sat in his arm-chair, frowning, half-accepting, half-rejecting Mrs. Micawber's observations, but fully appreciating the brilliance of the argument. "My dear Mr. Copperfield," said Mrs. Micawber, "I hope Mr. Micawber will be aware of his position. I think it is of the utmost importance that Mr. Micawber should be aware of his position as soon as he embarks." From what you have known me, my dear Mr. Copperfield, you have long seen that I do not have Mr. Micawber's optimistic disposition. My disposition consists chiefly, if I may say so, of Very practical. I know it's a long sea journey. I know it's going to be a lot of hardship and inconvenience. I can't ignore the facts. But I also know what Mr. Micawber is. I know Mr Micawber's potential. I therefore think it very important that Mr Micawber be aware of his position." "My love," said he, "perhaps you let me say that it is unlikely that I am really aware of my position at this moment." "I do not believe, Micawber," she went on, "that it is not quite enough. My dear Mr. Copperfield, Mr. Micawber's problems are not ordinary. Mr. Micawber goes to a distant country, It is all so that he may be fully known and appreciated for the first time in his life. I want Mr. Micawber to stand in the bow and say: 'I am going to conquer this country! Have you a reputation? Have you a fortune?' Do you have a well-paid position? Speak up. It's all mine!'" Mr. Micawber looked at us all as if he felt that there was great merit in this insight. "I hope Mr. Micawber, if I have made my point fully," said Mrs. Micawber, in her prudent tone, "becomes the Caesar of his own destiny. My dear Mr. Copperfield. , I think this is really his rightful place. From the first moment this voyage began, I wished Mr. Micawber could stand on the bow and say: 'Enough of delay, enough of disappointment, poverty That's enough. That's in the old country. That's in the new country. 'Bring out your reparations. Offer your reparations!" Mr. Micawber folded his arms resolutely, as if he were standing on the prow of a ship. "When that was done," said Mrs. Micawber, "--conscious of his position--I said that Mr. Micawber would strengthen his relations with Britain, not Isn't it right? When an important social figure prospers in that hemisphere, won't his influence be felt at home? When Mr. Micawber waved the banner of his talent and power in Australia, I can think without thinking that Isn't he nothing in England itself? I'm only a woman, but if I've committed such absurd and stupid crimes, I'm sorry for myself, and I'm sorry for my father." Mrs. Micawber's conviction of the irrefutability of her argument gave her voice a high and powerful voice.I don't think I've ever heard her speak like that before. "Therefore," said Mrs. Micawber, "I would rather hope that, at some time to come, we may make a name for ourselves in our parents' country. Mr. Micawber will be--I cannot disregard the possibility--Mr. Micawber To be a page in the history books; then he shall be glorified in a country that gave him birthright but denied him occupation!" "My love," said Mr. Micawber, "I am so moved by your zeal, and I have been eager to hear your wise opinions. What will happen will happen. I will never give up what our posterity can have." Dedicate wealth to my motherland and begrudge it!" "Yes," said my aunt, nodding to Mr. Peggotty, "I drink to you all with respect, and wish you all happiness and success!" Mr. Peggotty put down the two children whom he was embracing--he had been sitting one on each knee--and joined Mr. and Mrs. Micawber in toasting us all; There was a smile on the brown face, and the spirit was bright.At this time, I felt that no matter where he went, he would definitely make his way, gain a good reputation, and be loved by others. Even the children were ordered to dip their wooden spoons in Mr. Micawber's jar and bless us.After the event, my aunt and Agnes stood up to say goodbye to those who would be expats.It was a sad parting.They all cried, and the children did not let Agnes go until at last; and we left, leaving Mrs. Micawber in a state of anguish, sobbing and weeping by a dim candle, which made the room look down from the river. It really looked like a miserable lighthouse. The next morning, I went to see them off again.They set off in a small boat at five o'clock.I think it captures the sentimentality of the parting.Though it was only last night that I had associated them in my mind with the crumbling tavern and the wooden steps, both of which seemed desolate now that they were gone. The next afternoon my old nanny and I went to Gravesend.We found the boat parked in the river, surrounded by some small boats.It happened to be tailwind, and the signal flag for sailing was hoisted on the top of the mast.I immediately hired a boat to take me to the ship.Passing through the jumble of small boats surrounding the ship, we boarded the ship. Mr Peggotty was waiting for us on deck.He told me that Mr. Micawber had just been arrested on Heep's indictment (for the last time), and that he had paid the money as I had ordered.I returned the money to him in full.He then took us into the steerage.I had feared that he might hear of what had happened, but I was relieved when I saw Mr. Micawber come out of the black hole.Mr. Micawber took his arm with the air of friend and protector, and told me that they had scarcely parted for a moment since the night before. I think it's so strange, closed and dark in there.At first, I could barely see anything.However, as my eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, the place became more and more visible.I seem to be in a picture of Austedt.Among the ship's beams, cargo piles, and ring screws, among the settlers' bedsteads, boxes, parcels, barrels, piles of luggage of all kinds, by sparse lights and by windbags or sail-gates Under the halo of penetrating yellow sunlight, people gathered in groups, making new friends and saying goodbye to old ones; talking and laughing and crying, eating and drinking, some already within a few feet of their territory Settling down, furnishing their little home, placing the young ones on stools or little armchairs; others who have no place to settle walk about dejectedly.From babies who are not two weeks old to old men and women who seem to be two weeks away from death; from farmers with English soil on their boots to blacksmiths with English soot on their skin; People of all ages and walks of life were crammed into the cramped steerage. -------- ① Ostad is a Dutch painter of two brothers in the 17th century. Scanning there, I thought I saw a figure much like Emily, who was tending one of the Micawber children, sitting by the open hatch.The figure caught my attention because another figure was kissing it goodbye.I couldn't help thinking of Agnes when I saw a figure quietly withdrawing from the chaos!But again, because of the haste and confusion, and because my own thoughts were clouded, I couldn't catch that figure again.All I know is that my nanny was crying on a box next to me when I was announcing to the senders that it was time to disembark; Mr. Gotti's stuff. "Is there anything else to say in the end, Master Wei?" he said. "Did anything get pulled off before we parted?" "One thing!" I said, "Martha!" He touched the young woman I mentioned on the shoulder, and Martha came up to me. "God bless you, you good man!" I cried, "you took her!" She answered for him by crying loudly.At that point, I couldn't say anything.I kept pressing his hand; and if I ever loved or honored anyone, it was to this one that I truly loved and honored my soul. The boat will be cleared immediately.My greatest difficulty remains.I told him what the dead noble soul entrusted me to convey at parting.He was very moved.However, I was even more moved when he in turn asked me to convey many kindnesses and regrets to the ears that could no longer hear. The hour has come.I hugged him.Then I took my weeping nanny on my arms and hurried away.On deck I said good-bye to poor Mrs. Micawber.Until then, she still looked forward to her natal family with trepidation.The last thing she told me was that she would never abandon Mr. Micawber. We stepped out of the ship, into our little boat, and stopped near the ship to watch it set sail.It was dusk, and the sky was full of quiet sunset light, and the big ship stood against the light between us and the sunset, every rope and log on it was clearly visible.The boat lay quietly on the water reflected by the red clouds, glowing in the setting sun, looking so tragic, so desolate, and at the same time so full of hope.All the people gathered around the boat took off their hats at that moment, and there was silence.I have never seen such a scene. There was silence, and that was only a momentary thing.When the sails were raised against the wind, and when the ship started to move, there were three earth-shattering cheers from all the small boats, and then the people on the big boat shouted yes, and one echoed and the other echoed.I listened to the shout, watched the hat and handkerchief waved, and then I saw her again— My heart is about to burst. That's when I saw her.She was beside her uncle, trembling on his shoulder.He pointed at us with eager fingers; whereupon she saw us, and waved us a final farewell.Oh, Emily, beautiful but weak Emily, trust and cling to him with your wounded heart so much that he has clinged to you with all the strength of his great love! They left the crowd and leaned on the deck, shrouded in the rose-colored evening light; she leaned against him, and he supported her.Majestically disappears from our sight.Night fell over the Kent hills when we landed, and hung over me with a heavy gloom.