CHARLES DICKENS

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

CHAPTER 1

The young boy called himself Pip simply because he had difficulty getting his tongue around his full name of Philip
Pirrip. His parents had died while he was still a baby and he was brought up by his sister, Mrs Joe Gargery.
Pip lived in marsh country. One of his earliest memories was of the day he went exploring and found himself in a
churchyard. His parents, as well as his five unknown brothers, were all buried there. Although he had never known
them, Pip began to cry when he touched the cold tombstones.
"Hold your noise, you little devil!" called out a terrible voice. The young boy was so scared when he heard that, he froze.
"Keep still, or I’ll cut your throat!" ordered the voice.
A frightening man, dressed in grey-coloured clothes from head to foot, appeared in front of the boy.
"Please don’t hurt me sir," begged the boy.
"Tell me your name!" said the man. "Fast!"
"P-Pip, s-sir," whimpered the boy.
"Again! Speak up!" ordered the man.
"Pip. Pip, sir," whispered Pip.
"Tell me where you live," said the man. "Point it out - go on!"
Pip did as he was told.
The man then lifted Pip and turned him upside down. A piece of bread fell out of Pip’s pocket.
"I’m so hungry I could eat your fat little cheeks," said the man as he hungrily swallowed the last crumbs of bread.
Then he sat Pip on the tombstone.
"Where’s your mother?" he asked.
"Over there sir!" replied Pip.
"Oh! And is that your father next to her?" he questioned further.
"Yes sir!" replied Pip.
"So tell me little 'un, who do you live with ... if I’m kind enough to let you live!" said the man.
"M-my sister, Mrs Joe Gargery, blacksmith’s wife, sir," answered Pip.
The man looked down at a great iron rod on his leg. "Blacksmith, eh!" he thought.

Suddenly he grabbed Pip by the collar so tightly that Pip was afraid he would choke.
"Now listen boy," he said, with his face so close that Pip could feel his breath. "Do you know what a file is?"
"Y-yes sir," stammered Pip.
"You get me a file and some food or I’ll cut out your heart!" threatened the man. "I’m not alone either, boy. There’s a
man hidden near here looking at us, and I am kind and loving compared to him boy! Understand?"
Pip nodded, too frightened to answer.
"Tomorrow morning, I’ll be waiting here and God help you if you don’t bring those things," he warned.
"Goo-good night sir," stammered Pip again.
"Be off with you," said the man.
Without looking back, Pip ran as fast as his young legs could carry him in the direction of home.
Pip’s sister, Mrs Joe Gargery, was more than twenty years older than her brother. She was tall, thin and not very
attractive. She was strict and Pip often felt the weight of her hand when she was displeased with him. She also behaved
in a similar way towards her husband Joe.
Joe was a curly-haired blonde man, with beautiful blue eyes. He was very good natured and likeable, even though he
seemed to be foolish at times.
When Pip arrived home from the churchyard quite exhausted, he found Joe sitting alone in the kitchen.
"Mrs Joe’s really angry with you Pipi," said Joe. "She expected you to help her with the Christmas preparations."
Pip tried to hide, but it was too late.
"Were you trying to hide, were you?" asked Mrs Joe. "You little monkey. Just where have you been?"
"To the churchyard," replied Pip sobbing.
"Churchyard! If it weren’t for me, you’d have been to the churchyard long ago, and stayed there!" she reminded Pip
painfully.

Mrs Joe turned away and started to cut a loaf of bread. She gave one piece to Pip and one to Joe. Pip was so hungry he
could have eaten his piece all in one go, but he dared not forget the frightening man in the churchyard or his unseen
companion. When no-one was looking, he quickly stuffed the bread and butter down the leg of his trousers.
"Blimey Pip, you had better be careful how you eat, or you'll do yourself damage," cried Joe, noticing that Pip seemed to
have already finished.
"What’s he done now?" said Mrs Joe and she immediately went to get the bottle of Tar-Water. She then poured the Tar-
Water down Pip’s throat.
Some time later, as Pip was taking his turn stirring the Christmas pudding, they heard a very loud noise. It sounded like
a big gun being fired.
"What’s that Joe?" asked Pip.
"Another convict off," replied Joe. "That makes two," he thought to himself.
"What's that mean Joe?" asked Pip. "Who fires the big guns?"
"Oh that boy!" said Mrs Joe, "If you answer one of his questions, he'll ask a dozen more. The guns are on the prison ships
across the marshes. Now that’s enough. No more questions," she said firmly.
Pip was still confused and said to himself quietly, "I wonder who’s put in prison ships?"
Mrs Joe, whose hearing was nothing less than perfect, heard him and said with an exasperated sigh, "The prison ships
have murderers, robbers and all sorts of bad people." Then, with a wave of her hand she signalled it was time to go to
bed.

Pip was thankful the day was coming to an end. He crept upstairs to his bedroom and pulled out the bread and butter
from his trousers. He then found a hiding place for it.

Pip had a poor night’s sleep, full of frightening dreams. The next day was Christmas, so there was plenty of food stored
in the pantry. Pip stole some bread, cheese, a jar of mincemeat, a pork pie and some brandy. In an attempt to make it
look as though no brandy had been taken, Pip topped the bottle up with some water he had found in a jug in the
kitchen.
Pip then went to the forge, took a file and set off for the marshes.

CHAPTER 2

Pip made his way across the marshes until he saw a man sitting with his back to him. He approached him softly and
tapped him on the shoulder. The man jumped up and turned round, but it wasn’t the same man at all. However, he was
also dressed in grey-coloured clothes and had a great iron on his leg! The man got such a fright - he ran away as fast as
he could.
"It’s the other man!" thought Pip, as he felt a spasm of fear pass through him. Soon afterwards he found the right man,
who promptly grabbed the food out of Pip’s hands. He was about to eat it when he stopped and asked, "You didn’t bring
anyone with you, boy, did you?"
"No sir, no," replied Pip.
"And no one followed you?" he questioned further.
"No," replied Pip again.
"Well that’s alright then isn’t it?" said the man.
Pip watched the man eating and said, "Eh...I’m glad you like it."
"Mm, thank you boy. I do," he said.
"I don’t think your friend will be too happy, if you don’t leave any of it for him," said Pip timidly.
"What? What friend?" said the man suspiciously.
"The other man you told me about," hesitated Pip and then continued, "the one who was hiding and watching us." His
voice trailed off.
"Ah! Yes. No, he needs no feeding," grinned the man.
"He looked like he did," Pip responded.
The man stopped eating. "Looked? When?" he asked angrily.
"Just now over there," said Pip, pointing somewhere behind him. "I thought he was you!"
The man grabbed Pip by the collar and stared at him so hard that Pip began to feel frightened again.
"Tell me boy...did he wear the same clothes as me?" asked the man. "And did he have a scar on his face?"
"Why y-yes and had an iron on his leg," stammered Pip.
"By God, I’ll hunt him down!" replied the man determinedly.
Picking up the file the man began furiously filing away at the iron on his leg. Pip, fearing he had stayed away too long,
turned and ran back across the marshes.

When Pip arrived home, Mrs Joe was busy getting the house ready for Christmas. They were to have the most
wonderful meal with a leg of pork, two roast chickens and vegetables. Mrs Joe had already made a large mince pie, so
she didn't notice the missing mincemeat that Pip had taken. She had put up clean white curtains and uncovered the
furniture in the parlour.

Pip’s sister was religious but she never went to church on Christmas morning. However, she made sure that both Pip
and her husband went all dressed up in their Sunday best clothes. Pip never felt very comfortable dressed like that.
Today, he felt even worse because he kept worrying his theft from the kitchen might be discovered.

After church, the customary guests arrived, Mr Wopsle, the clerk at the church, Mr and Mrs Hubble and of course Joe’s
uncle, Mr Pumblechook. He always brought Mrs Joe gifts, which improved her mood a good deal. After grace was said,
everyone sat down to the marvellous lunch. Poor Pip, however, had difficulty enjoying it because of his anxiety. His
table companions’ remarks such as, ‘You should be grateful to your sister for your strict upbringing,’ made him feel
worse.

"Have a little brandy, Uncle," said Mrs Joe after everyone had finished eating.
"O Lord protect me, if you can hear me now, please protect me, please protect me," Pip pleaded silently, with his hands
clasped in prayer and his eyes closed. He then held on to the leg of the table with both hands, accepting he was soon to
be found out.
Once the brandy was poured out, Pip couldn’t keep his eyes off Pumblechook. It was agonising for Pip to watch him
touch his glass playfully, lift it, begin to talk, lower his glass and lift it again. Then suddenly Pumblechook threw his
head back and drank it all in one gulp! Almost immediately, he jumped up, turned round and round several times
coughing violently, making the most terrible faces and appearing to be literally out of his mind. Mr and Mrs Joe ran to
help him.
"Oh my God, I’ve killed him. I’ve killed Uncle Pumblechook!" Pip whispered to himself.
"Sit down Uncle Pumblechook, oh please do," pleaded Mrs Joe.
"Tar!" he gasped.
Pip, in all his haste that morning, had topped up the brandy with his sister’s Tar-Water!
"Tar? Why, how ever could Tar come to be there?" asked Pip’s sister. Fortunately, Mr Pumblechook did not wish to talk
about the incident, so Pip was saved, at least for the moment. Everyone settled back to their Christmas lunch.
"Oh you must taste the delicious savoury pork pie Uncle Pumblechook brought," said Mrs Joe to the other guests,
hoping to distract Uncle Pumblechook.
"Um, yes, I fancy a bit of pork pie," said Uncle Pumblechook.
Pip coughed, and nearly choked on the piece of food in his mouth!
His sister walked into the kitchen. Pip could almost feel her eyes searching for the pie.
"I’m sure it’s delicious," said Mrs Hubble.
The tension was so great Pip could bear it no longer. He finally released the leg of the table and ran to the door.
However, he didn't get much further because at the front door there was a party of soldiers with their guns. One of
them held out a pair of handcuffs to Pip saying, "Here you are, come on!"

CHAPTER 3

The sudden appearance of the party of soldiers caused everyone to quickly leave the table shouting exclamations of
surprise.
"Oh my Lord," cried Mrs Joe, who was on her way back from the kitchen, having discovered that the pie was missing.
"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen," said the sergeant, "but I am on the chase of two escaped convicts, and I want the
blacksmith."
Pip’s heart was beating faster than usual as he listened to the sergeant.
"And why do you need my husband?" asked Mrs Joe, a little annoyed.
"I need these handcuffs repaired immediately. Fix them blacksmith," said the sergeant to Joe. Joe took his coat off and
went into the forge with the handcuffs.
"Would you like some brandy, sergeant?" asked Mrs Joe.
"Oh, give him wine, mum - give him wine!" replied Mr Pumblechook.
It soon seemed that everybody was enjoying themselves. Pip also, because at least he had not got into trouble for
stealing, yet.
Joe eventually finished the job and the soldiers began to leave the kitchen. Joe decided to accompany the soldiers on the
hunt. Pip was too afraid to ask his sister, so Joe asked her for him.
"Well, you can take the scoundrel," she replied, "but if you bring him back without his head on his shoulders because
someone has shot it off accidently, don’t expect me to put it back on again!"
They all set off for the marshes. They walked and walked and walked. Just when Pip thought they would find no-one,
they heard the sergeant’s voice, "Over here...we’ve got them," he said.
Pip and Joe ran over with the rest of the soldiers. Pip recognised both men. They had been fighting with each other and
Pip’s convict seemed pleased they had been found.
"Here you are, take him sergeant," said Pip’s convict. "It gives me the greatest pleasure handing this bad one over to the
law."
"It won't help you, you're both going in handcuffs," replied the sergeant.
"This one may be a gentleman, but he's the worst of villains. It’s true, I'd escaped too, but I’m willing to give up my new-
found freedom to make sure he loses his," said Pip’s convict.

All this time, Pip was desperately trying to let the convict know that it wasn't him who led the soldiers to the marshes.
Suddenly the convict looked at Pip. It was such an intense look that Pip knew he would never forget the man’s face.
Then the convict said, "I wish to make a confession, so no-one else is suspected of doing anything wrong."
"You’ll have plenty of time for that," said the sergeant ironically.
"Well I know that, but this is about something else. You see, I stole. I was starving so I stole... stole food, from the
blacksmith," stated the convict.
"Oh yes?" inquired the sergeant. "Go on."
"Well, I took cheese, meat, some liquor and a pork pie," added the convict.
"Are you missing such things?" the sergeant asked Joe.
"Eh...well I know my wife couldn’t find the pie ... but we wouldn’t like any poor person to starve himself to death, would
we Pip?" replied Joe.
The convict suddenly seemed very sad and not nearly as fearsome as they took him away.

CHAPTER 4

Although Pip was still too young to work, he was encouraged to help Joe out in the forge and was often called on by the
neighbours to do odd jobs.
His only schooling was at an evening school in the village run by Mr Wopsle’s great aunt. There, Pip had acquired
enough knowledge of reading to just about manage to read the letters on the tombs in the churchyard. It was thanks to
Biddy, not the old school teacher, that Pip managed to learn anything at all. Biddy was Mr Wopsle’s great aunt’s
granddaughter, and she was an orphan like Pip.

One night Pip and Joe were sitting in the chimney corner when they heard the sound of Mrs Joe returning home. She
rushed into the house.
"Now, if this boy isn't grateful tonight, he will never be!" she exclaimed, "As long as Miss Havisham doesn't spoil him."
"Miss Havisham?" inquired Joe.
"Yes, you heard right. She wants the boy to go there and play," she said.
Everyone had heard of Miss Havisham. She was a rich, frightening lady who lived alone in a large house that people
thought was more like a ghost house!
"How does she know our Pip," Joe asked.
"Because she knows Uncle Pumblechook, Noodle-head, and asked him," replied Mrs Joe, gesturing at Uncle
Pumblechook, who had been escorting her from the market.

So Pip was washed, scrubbed and sent off to spend the night at Uncle Pumblechook’s, who would escort him in the
morning to meet Miss Havisham.

Uncle Pumblechook and Pip arrived at Miss Havisham’s residence at ten o’clock. Uncle Pumblechook rang the bell and
they waited at the gate leading into the courtyard in front of the house.
Presently, a beautifully dressed girl approached and unlocked the gate.
Mr Pumblechook introduced Pip and tried to enter. He was stopped by the girl, who dismissed him with a wave of her
hand.
"Miss Havisham requires only the boy’s company," said the pretty young girl coldly.
Pip could see that Mr Pumblechook was put out by this turn of events, but he said nothing. The girl led Pip into the
house, which was in total darkness.
"Follow me," said the girl after lighting a candle. The boy obediently followed her down a number of passages and up
some stairs until they reached a door. The girl ordered him inside and then left.

Pip fearfully opened the door and went inside. The room was lit by a number of candles. After a while, Pip noticed a
very old lady sitting in an armchair. She was completely dressed in white, in silks and satins, with a veil and flowers in
her hair. However, when Pip's eyes became more accustomed to the gloom, he could see that the white had actually
faded to yellow. She looked very small inside the dress. It was obvious that it was many years since she had put it on.
She reminded Pip of a waxwork show he had once seen at the fair.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"P-Pip, ma’am," he managed to say.
"Pip?" she echoed.
"Mr Pumblechook’s boy," explained Pip.
"Come nearer, let me look at you," she ordered.
Pip noticed that both her watch and the wall clock had stopped at twenty minutes to nine.
"Are you afraid of a woman who has not seen the sun since you were born?" she asked Pip.
"N-n- no of course not," lied Pip in reply.
She then placed both of her hands on her left side and said, "What do I touch here?"
"Your heart," replied Pip.
"Broken!" said the old lady almost with a note of pride in her voice. "Now play!" she added as an afterthought.
Pip, however, couldn't do anything.
"Are you disobedient?" asked the old lady.
"No ma’am, it’s just...everything seems so strange," he explained.
"Call Estella," said Miss Havisham.
Pip did as he was told. The young girl who had opened the gate came in and was told to play cards.
"With this boy?" she asked. "Why he is just a poor common boy!"
Miss Havisham then whispered to her, "You can still break his heart."
After a few minutes of playing cards Estella sneered, "He calls the Knaves, Jacks. And what rough hands he has! And
what thick boots!"
Pip began to hate these things about himself.
"She says hard things to you. What do you think of her?" asked Miss Havisham.
Pip was too shy to answer.
"Whisper to me," encouraged the old lady.
"I think she’s very proud," answered Pip.
"What else?" asked the old lady smiling.
"I think she is very insulting," added Pip.
"What else?" prompted Miss Havisham.
"I think I'd like to go home," said Pip at last.
"Very well, but come again in six days. Estella, take him out, but feed him first," she ordered.
Estella led him to the kitchen and disdainfully handed him some bread and meat. Poor Pip felt no better than a dog in
disgrace and tears came to his eyes. This seemed to delight Estella, who tossed her head arrogantly and left him to eat.
The boy was so upset that he cried and cried as he ate, and he had barely stopped when she returned half an hour later
to push him through the gate and tell him, "Be off home with you, you vulgar boy!"

When Pip got home, he was asked so many questions by his sister and Mr Pumblechook that he didn't want to please
them and tell them the truth. So, Pip lied about what Miss Havisham looked like and much more. It was only when he
heard Joe’s cries of amazement later, that he felt bad and told Joe the truth.
"But why tell lies Pip?" asked Joe.
"I don't know," whined Pip, putting his head down, "I wish you hadn't taught me to call Knaves, Jacks, and 1 wish my
boots weren't so thick, nor my hands so rough."
Pip then explained about Estella and how she had called him common.
"One thing is sure old chap," said Joe. "It won’t stop you being common if you tell lies."
Pip went to bed that night thinking about what Joe had said, but he couldn’t stop himself from thinking how common
Estella would find Joe.

CHAPTER 5

Six days later Pip returned to Miss Havisham’s for his second visit as arranged. Estella came to open the gate and the
two children went up into the house. Suddenly Estella stopped.
"Well?" said Estella.
"Well, Miss?" replied Pip.
Pip and Estella stood looking at each other.
"Am I pretty?" she asked.
"Yes, I think you’re very pretty," replied Pip.
"Am I rude?" continued Estella.
"Not as much as last time," replied Pip.
"Not as much?" she teased him.
"No," replied Pip.
She slapped Pip’s face very hard.
"Now?" she said. "You common little animal, what do you think of me now?"
"I won’t tell you!" answered Pip.
"Why don’t you cry again, you little baby!" said Estella spitefully.
"Because I’ll never cry in front of you again," replied Pip lying, because inside him at that very moment he was crying.
The pair went up to Miss Havisham’s room.
"So, the days have passed by, have they boy?" asked Miss Havisham.
"Yes, ma’am," replied Pip.
"Are you ready to play?" questioned the old lady.
"I’m not sure that I am," answered Pip, who was still recovering from his mistreatment.
"Are you able to work then?" asked Miss Havisham.
"Why yes, ma'am," replied Pip.
"Go into the room opposite and wait till I come," said Miss Havisham.
Pip crossed the hall and entered the room, which was in much the same condition as the one he had just left. A large
table covered in dust and mould was set as if for a banquet. There was something in the centre of the table, but it had so
many cobwebs on it that it was not easy to see exactly what it was. As Pip kept looking at the object, he saw how it
seemed to grow, like a black blob.
Then he realised that the black blob was hundreds and hundreds of spiders!
Pip didn’t hear Miss Havisham come in.
"This," she said pointing to the long table, "is where I will lie when I am dead."
Pip thought she would get on the table right then and die.
"What do you think that is?" she asked, pointing at the cobwebs in the middle of the table.
"I don’t know ma’am," replied Pip.
"It’s a great cake. My wedding cake!" she said.
She looked around the room and touched Pip on the shoulder. "Come, walk me," she said, leading him to believe that
this was the work she had referred to.
Miss Havisham supporting herself on Pip’s shoulder walked round and round the room for some time. Then she asked
him to call Estella.
Estella was instructed to show Pip the rest of the house. Returning to Miss Havisham’s room, they came across a
gentleman walking down the staircase. The gentleman stopped for a moment to enquire who Pip was and warned Pip
to behave well. He then walked away.
From then on the visit went much as the last one had, until Estella gave Pip his food.
After eating, Pip wandered into the garden of the house through a gate that had been locked on his previous visit.
Suddenly a pale young gentleman appeared seemingly out of nowhere and said, "Who let you in?"
"Miss Estella," Pip managed to say.
"Who said that you were allowed to walk about?" asked the boy again.
"Miss Estella did," replied Pip.
"Come and fight", said the pale young gentleman.
Pip was so shocked that he was speechless. When the other boy took a swing at him, however, he had no alternative
but to fight.
Pip landed a punch on the young man’s nose and knocked him down.
"Can I help you?" asked Pip.
"No, thank you," replied the boy proudly.
"Good afternoon then," said Pip and walked away.
"Good afternoon," said the pale young gentleman.
Pip went back to the courtyard where he met Estella.
"Come here!" she said. "You may kiss me if you like," she added.
Pip kissed her on the cheek, but he felt it was worth nothing and that Estella felt no kindness towards him.
Pip visited Miss Havisham’s residence many times after that, but there were no more incidents like the one described
above.
After some time. Miss Havisham instructed Pip to bring Joe on his next visit. She knew Pip was to be apprenticed to Joe,
and wished to speak to him. When Pip and Joe arrived at the house, Joe was so stunned by Miss Havisham’s appearance
that he could not look at her directly. He stared down at the floor and awkwardly shuffled his feet. Pip became very
ashamed, as he was aware of the mocking smile on Estella’s face, who was also present.
"Pip has earned some money here," Miss Havisham explained. "There are twenty-five pounds in this bag. Give it to your
master," she instructed Pip.
When Joe received the bag from Pip, he was so dazed he could do nothing more than mumble, "Thankee Pipi," causing
Pip to become even more ashamed.

On arriving home, they found Mr Pumblechook. He insisted that they immediately go along to the town hall. There they
made the contract which bound Pip to Joe Gargery for the time of his training as a blacksmith.
After this business had been dealt with, Mr and Mrs Gargery, Mr Pumblechook and Pip went along to the Blue Boar Inn,
where they spent a modest amount in celebration. A good time was had by all apart from Pip, who was becoming more
and more dissatisfied with his lot since he had first started visiting Miss Havisham at her house.

CHAPTER 6

After the contract was made, Pip was no longer called on to visit Miss Havisham. Despite this, he never forgot the things
he had seen or heard there. He was determined to become educated and improve his social position. Biddy became his
first teacher and what with that and the forge, Pip had his hands full.

One day, Pip decided that he would like to visit Miss Havisham for old time’s sake and asked Joe for a half day off. This
created such a scene. Orlick, who was also working for Joe and whom Pip disliked, insisted that he should also have a
half day off. He made such a fuss that Pip’s sister also became involved in the argument. The outcome was a fight
between Orlick and Joe, during which Pip managed to slip away.

When Pip arrived at the gate of Miss Havisham’s residence, he was disappointed when the gate was opened by someone
else. He was hoping it would be Estella. Pip was taken to Miss Havisham, but he was sorry he had bothered. Estella was
away at school and Miss Havisham seemed to enjoy his disappointment at her absence.
"Do you feel you have lost her?" she asked laughing. Having said this, she sent Pip home with instructions to return on
his birthday.

Pip felt so miserable on his return home that he hardly noticed Mr Wopsle or Orlick approaching him.
"Quick, run home Pip. Your house has been broken into and someone is injured!" cried Mr Wopsle.

Pip ran as fast as he could until he met a crowd of people at his house. He pushed his way through and entered the
kitchen. Then he saw a terrible sight. His sister was lying in the middle of the floor and there was blood all around her.
"What happened?" Pip asked alarmed.
"We found this next to her," replied a neighbour.
It was a leg iron the same as the escaped convict’s. However, Pip somehow felt sure that the convict was not to blame
for the attack on his sister. He suspected Orlick.

Over the following weeks many were questioned by the police, but no-one was charged. Pip's sister was terribly ill and
Biddy moved into the house to look after her. Mrs Joe couldn’t speak, see or hear well, and her memory was greatly
damaged. It was only Biddy who could understand her efforts at communication. One day Pip heard Biddy calling out,
"Quick come and see, she’s drawing Orlick's hammer!"
Pip went to her side immediately. "I knew it! It was him! He did this to her," he thought.
However, when Orlick was brought to Mrs Joe, she smiled and seemed very happy to see him.
One Sunday afternoon, Pip and Biddy went for a walk together. Pip thought it was a good time to tell Biddy his secret
thoughts. He made her promise to keep the secret and said, "Biddy, I want to be a gentleman."
"Oh no Pip, I wouldn’t if I was you!" cried Biddy.
"But Biddy, I’m disgusted with my trade and I am not at all happy," added Pip.
"That’s a pity," sighed Biddy.
Pip told Biddy of his admiration for Estella. "I want to be a gentleman because of her, so that she’ll accept me," he
explained.
During Pip’s fourth year as Joe’s apprentice, Pip and Joe often went to the village Inn on Saturday nights. One night they
were approached by a strange gentleman who introduced himself as Mr Jaggers. He said he was a lawyer and he had
news for Pip. Pip recognised him immediately; he was the gentleman he had seen walking down the stairs at Miss
Havisham’s.
Joe and Pip escorted Mr Jaggers back to the forge. After they seated themselves in the parlour, Jaggers looked at Pip and
said, "I have come to inform you that you have Great Expectations." Joe and Pip gasped and looked at one another.
"You will come into property," he continued, "and, it is also the desire of your benefactor that you be immediately
removed from this place and brought up as a gentleman."
Pip couldn’t believe his ears! His dream was to come true! He felt sure it was Miss Havisham’s doing.
"Now master Pip," the lawyer went on, "there are two other things I must say. Firstly, you must always be known of as
Pip. Secondly, you must understand that the name of your benefactor remains a secret, until they choose to tell you. You
must be educated ..."
" That was my dream!" Pip interrupted enthusiastically.
"Good. Well, you should think of me as your guardian," said Mr Jaggers. "I shall arrange everything. You will have a
teacher, Mr Matthew Pocket, whom you should meet at his home in London. When is it convenient for you to come to
London?" he asked.
Pip looked at Joe, who had an appearance of someone who had drunk too much wine, so he answered that he could
travel to London immediately.
"Let us say a week from today then. I’ll leave you twenty pounds to get some new clothes. This is my address," said Mr
Jaggers, giving Pip a card. "I shall be expecting you. Good day to you both," said Jaggers and left.
Biddy was pleased for Pip, and Pip felt sure that if his sister could understand, she would be very happy for him, too.

As the day for Pip’s departure approached he visited Miss Havisham to say goodbye.
"Well Pip," she said, "How fine you look!"
"I am leaving for London tomorrow, Miss Havisham," said Pip happily. He continued carefully, "I have come into good
fortune Miss Havisham, and I am so grateful Miss Havisham."
"Yes, Jaggers has told me all about it," she said. "That you have been adopted by someone rich and are now a person of
Great Expectations."
"Yes, Miss Havisham," said Pip.
"Well good bye Pip! You will always keep the name Pip, you know," she said as she dismissed him.
"Yes, Miss Havisham," he responded quickly.
The next morning Pip got up and kissed his sister and Biddy goodbye. He threw his arms around Joe’s neck and left. It
wasn’t until he reached the signpost on the outside of the village that Pip realised the enormity of the change in his life.
He suddenly burst into tears, put his hand on the signpost and said, "Goodbye my dear, dear friend!"

... This is the end of the first stage of Pip’s expectations.

CHAPTER 7

After a five-hour coach journey Pip arrived in London and went to Mr Jaggers’ office.
Mr Jaggers sent Pip to Barnard's Inn for the weekend. Pip was to share a room with his teacher’s son, a young boy called
Herbert Pocket. They recognised each other immediately.
"I can't believe it, you're the boy I fought with!" said Herbert.
"And you - the pale young gentleman," smiled Pip.
The two young men quickly became friends and Herbert told Pip all he knew about Miss Havisham.
"Miss Havisham fell in love with a man who appeared to feel the same as she did," he explained. "She was very rich and
gave him great sums of money. My father warned her to be careful, but she wouldn't listen. The wedding day was fixed,
guests were invited, the day came but the husband-to-be...didn’t turn up. He wrote her a letter..."
"Which she received as she was dressing for her wedding? At twenty minutes to nine?" interrupted Pip.
"Precisely! She stopped all the clocks. Everything in the house has remained untouched since that morning," added
Herbert.
"Is that the whole story?" asked Pip.
"I believe so, except for one thing I’ve forgotten to mention, Miss Havisham's half-brother. He was a bad apple and
jealous of his sister. He and her fiancé had made the plan together to get her money and share it," said Herbert.
"But why not marry her and get it all!" wondered Pip.
"Maybe he was already married," replied Herbert.
"Where are the men now?" asked Pip.
"I don’t know," said Herbert. "I’ve told you all I know." He shrugged his shoulders and signalled that that was the end of
the discussion.

Herbert Pocket spent the weekend showing Pip what he knew of London. Pip met Mr Pocket, who knew more of Pip’s
intended career than Pip did. Pip liked his tutor and the Pocket family a great deal, and suggested that he should live
permanently with Herbert. He would have Herbert to teach him manners. Mr Jaggers agreed and the necessary
furniture was bought.
Some weeks had passed when Pip heard that Estella had returned to Savis House. Pip was told she wished to see him,
so he didn't delay in setting off.
Pip was so sure that Miss Havisham was his benefactor and that everything was going to plan. She had adopted Estella,
and had almost done the same with him. It was obvious they would eventually be brought together as man and wife. Pip
was sure Miss Havisham wanted the house restored, sunlight let in, clocks ticking ... Oh yes, Pip could see it all. He was
so lost in thought he got quite a shock when he saw who opened the gate for him.
"Orlick!" cried Pip.
"Ah young master! You are not the only one who has had changes in their life," sniggered Orlick.
It turned out that Orlick had become the gateman at Miss Havisham's. "Go on, you know the way," said Orlick. So Pip
made his way upstairs in the dark as he had done on many previous occasions.

On entering Miss Havisham’s room, he saw that she was not alone. A beautiful, well-dressed woman was sitting next to
Miss Havisham.
"How do you do, Pip?" said Miss Havisham, "So you kiss my hand as if I were a queen, eh?" she continued.
Then Pip looked into the well-dressed lady’s eyes and realised that it was Estella. She had changed so much that he had
failed to recognise her. She was so beautiful that Pip felt like a rough common boy again.
Miss Havisham sent them out for a walk in the neglected garden. Pip was so happy to be with Estella. He wanted to
deny everything and everyone in his old life, prior to his Great Expectations.
"You must know that I have no heart," said Estella, sensing his thoughts.
"But how can such beauty as yours have no heart?" questioned Pip.
"I have no softness, no sympathy," she answered. "Come! You shall not cry for my cruelty today," added Estella, leaning
on Pip’s shoulder. They walked round the garden twice more and went back into the house.
Miss Havisham sent Estella to dress for dinner and then said to Pip in a loud whisper, "Love her, love her, love her! I
adopted her to be loved! I brought her up and educated her to be loved. Real love is giving up your whole heart and
soul, just as I did." Miss Havisham had nearly collapsed with the emotion used to expel such words.
The evening was spent playing cards, but the words Miss Havisham had spoken to Pip kept going through his head over
and over again. "Love her, Love her!" Pip loved Estella because he found her irresistible and wondered when Estella
would fall in love with him.

These thoughts made Pip so happy and strong. He didn’t feel too bad when he decided that he wouldn’t visit Joe. He was
far away from being a blacksmith’s boy now. He also knew Estella would have nothing but contempt for someone like
Joe.

CHAPTER 8

One day Pip received a note by post. It read,

I am going to come to London the day after tomorrow on the midday coach. I believe it was arranged that you meet me.
Miss Havisham has that impression. She sends you her regards.
Yours,
Estella

When Pip received this note, he became so anxious that he would have ordered several new suits if he had had time. He
lost all appetite for food and could do nothing until the time for Estella’s arrival.
At last the coach arrived. "Oh sweet darling Estella, how beautiful you look, even in your travelling dress," said Pip to
himself as Estella got off the coach.

Pip accompanied Estella to Richmond, where she was going to stay with a friend of Miss Havisham’s.
"I am going to be introduced to people and people will be shown to me," said Estella.
"I am sure you will be glad of the variety and the admiration," said Pip.
"Yes I suppose so. Are you happy living with Mr Herbet Pocket?" she asked.
"I live pleasantly there," answered Pip. "At least as pleasantly as I could anywhere away from you."
"You silly boy," said Estella, quite calmly. "You must come and see me when you think it proper. You have already been
mentioned to the family. Now I believe we have arrived," she said.
Pip watched Estella enter the old respectable house thinking to himself, "How happy I would be if we lived there
together!" However, deep down inside he knew that this was an impossible dream.

As Pip became more familiar with his expectations, he began to notice changes in himself because of his improved
circumstances. Pip realised his character was affected in the worst way, but it was the strong uneasiness he had about
his behaviour towards Joe that kept him awake at night. He didn't feel that he had treated Biddy much better either.
Perhaps he would have been happier if he had never seen Miss Havisham and simply become a man working with Joe in
the forge.
Pip wondered what good he did anyone. His expensive lifestyle led him into difficulties with money. He began to get
into debt and, because of his influence, Herbert did so too. Pip would happily have taken care of Herbert’s debts, but his
friend was proud and would not hear of it.
Pip always felt better when he sat to write down his expenses. He felt that he was taking some kind of responsibility for
himself. He also encouraged Herbert to do the same. One evening, while they were sitting at their desks doing this
accounting, a letter arrived for Pip. It was from Trabb & Co., the undertakers. It told Pip about the death of his sister and
of the funeral date the following week.

Although his sister had been strict and hard on him, Pip felt sad that her life had ended and returned to Joe’s home for
the funeral. He suddenly felt violent anger at the person who had attacked his sister. If he had had the proof, he would
have followed those responsible to the ends of the earth.

After the funeral Pip spoke to Biddy. "Did they discover anything else about who did it?" he asked her.
"No," replied Biddy.
"Do you know whatever happened to Orlick?" he asked.
"From the colour of his clothes, I think he is working in the quarries these days," she replied quietly.
This, at least, was good news for Pip. He was happy to hear that Orlick no longer worked at Miss Havisham’s.
Pip left again for London on the morning after the funeral. He went to the forge, where Joe was already too busy to say
goodbye.
"Goodbye, dear Joe! No, don’t wipe your hands for Goodness Sake, give me those hands as they are! I shall be back to
visit you soon," stated Pip.
"Yes, come soon and come often Pip," said Joe sadly.
Biddy was waiting at the kitchen door with some milk and a crust of bread. Pip accepted them gratefully and then set
out with tears in his eyes.
Herbert and Pip’s debts went from bad to worse. Therefore, Pip was relieved on his twenty first birthday when he was
called to Mr Jaggers’ office and given the grand sum of five hundred pounds. He was going to receive this annually from
now on.
"Have you any questions?" asked Mr Jaggers.
"Just one. Will my benefactor be made known to me today?" asked Pip.
"No, and when your benefactor decides to make themselves known to you, 1 shall no longer be of service," said Mr
Jaggers.

As Pip left Mr Jaggers’ office, a thought occurred to him. He went to a clerk who worked for Jaggers and after some
discussion an arrangement was made. Pip would give half of his money to Herbert, without Herbert realising it. The
clerk arranged everything. A few days later, Herbert told Pip of some wonderful news he had had. "At least my
expectations have done some good to somebody," thought Pip. He cried bitterly in his room that night.

CHAPTER 9

Although Pip saw Estella many times in Richmond he never had one hour of happiness in her society. Yet, he spent all
day dreaming of having her with him for the rest of his life.
Pip suffered terribly from jealousy and accused Estella of treating him badly. He said she gave smiles and
encouragement to other young men with no concern as to how he felt.
Estella replied by asking, "Do you want me to deceive and trap you?"
"Is that what you do to them?" asked Pip.
"Yes," answered Estella, "but not to you."
Pip, however, was not convinced.

By the time Pip had turned twenty-three, he had moved from Barnard's Field to The Temple with young Herbert
Pocket.
One cold and stormy winter evening, Pip was alone reading when he heard footsteps on the stairs.
He went out on to the landing and called, "Who’s there?"
A gruff man’s voice answered him from downstairs, "Eh, I'm looking for Mr Pip."
"That’s me," replied Pip.
The man came up. By the light of the lamp Pip could see him: He had long grey hair and was about sixty. Although he
was a stranger, he seemed happy to see Pip. Pip was surprised, but he also had the feeling that he knew him.
As he came towards Pip he held out both of his hands to him.
"What is your business?" Pip asked him.
"My business?" the stranger repeated. "Ah, yes. I will tell you, if you allow me.
They went into Pip’s room. The man looked around the room with pleasure, as if he was glad Pip owned such furniture
and other expensive things.
"Is there anyone here?" he asked looking over his shoulder.
Pip assured him that they were alone, but he also gave the man to understand that it was not his business who lived in
his rooms.
"You're a brave young man," said the man, "and I'm happy about that. But please be a little more sympathetic and you’ll
understand the reason for this soon."
"Who are you?" asked Pip, but even as he said those words his mind went back to years ago, the marshes, the
churchyard, the man, the iron ball, the file. He didn’t need an answer - he knew who was sitting in front of him. Pip
recognised the escaped convict with horror.
"You acted nobly, my boy," the man said grasping Pip’s hands and kissing them.
"I’ve never forgotten it - noble Pip," he said as he went to put his arms around Pip, but Pip pushed him away. He was
disgusted by the man.
"Keep off me!" said Pip. "If you are grateful for what I did when I was a little child, I hope you have shown your thanks
by changing your way of life."
Pip suddenly stopped talking and looked at the man who was attempting to dry himself a little at the fire. He then said,
"I see you are all wet from the storm and look tired. Will you have something hot to drink before you go?"
The man agreed and indicated his choice of drink from the bottles displayed on a shelf. When Pip had prepared the
drink, he noticed there were tears in the man's eyes and said, "I am sorry I spoke to you like that just now.
I wish you well. How have you been living?"
"I’ve been a sheep farmer among other things, away in Australia," said the man.
"Did you do well?" asked Pip indifferently.
"Very well," replied the man.
"I'm glad to hear it," said Pip politely.
"May I ask," the man said, "how you have done since we last met on the marshes?"
Pip started to feel nervous as he told him about his Great Expectations of property.
"May I ask from whom you expect to get this property?" said the convict.
This made Pip even more nervous as he answered, "I don’t know."
"I think I could make a good guess," said the convict. "I could guess that your income since you came of age begins with
a five. Another guess I could make," he continued, "is that your guardian is a lawyer by the name of Jaggers."
On hearing these words, Pip went into shock and could not utter one word. He felt as though he were suffocating and
the room seemed to be spinning. He grasped onto a chair and then fell onto the sofa.
"Yes, Pip dear boy, I’ve made a gentleman of you," said the convict, helping Pip get comfortable on the sofa. "I lived in
poor conditions so you could live in rich ones," he added.
Pip felt pure disgust for this man.
"Look Pip, I’ve put away money for you," he boasted. "I’ve kept every penny I've earnt for you. You weren’t expecting
this, eh?" he continued.
"N-n-o," answered Pip.
"Nor even entered your mind once?" asked the convict.
"No! Never!" replied Pip.
"Just me and Jaggers knew. But let me tell you the whole story," said the man. "My name is Abel Magwitch. I was left
some money by my master when he died. That is how I bought my freedom and that’s when I started sending money to
Mr Jaggers for you. I then made a lot more money, but no-one knew I was making a gentleman of you, my dear Pip, so
far away." He put his hand on Pip’s shoulder and said, "Where will you put me?"
"My friend is away," said Pip when he was finally able to speak. "You can have his room until we can make other
arrangements."
"We must be careful, Pip my boy," said Magwitch, looking over his shoulder.
"Careful? What do you mean?" asked Pip.
"I was sent away for life. To come back is death," replied Magwitch.
Pip didn't know what else to say. His illusion that Miss Havisham was his benefactor was shattered, together with his
dream to marry Estella. Worst of all, he was sheltering in his room somebody he considered to be like a wild animal.
Strangely enough, Pip’s greatest pain came when he remembered how he had abandoned Joe and Biddy when he was
informed of his Great Expectations.

...This is the end of the second stage of Pip’s expectations.

CHAPTER 10

When Herbert returned from his travels, Pip told him all about Abel Magwitch. Herbert agreed to help, but they needed
to know more about Magwitch.
He began by telling them, "I was begging and stealing all my life. I've been in jail so often that it felt like home to me.
About twenty years ago I met someone I thought was a gentleman, but he turned out to be even worse than me. His
name was Compeyson."
"Why are you telling us about him?" interrupted Herbert.
"Because he is the one," continued Magwitch, "who young Master Pip saw me hitting on the marshes."
"But if you were involved in a life of crime with him," asked Pip, "why were you trying to kill him?"
"Well, you see," said Magwitch, "when we were arrested together, he used his position of being a gentleman to make it
look as if I were the real villain and he were nothing but an innocent lamb. I was sentenced to fourteen years while he
got seven. So, when I saw him on the marshes, I decided I would give up my own freedom so that he would lose his too."
"Was he really that bad?" asked Herbert.
"Yes he was," replied Magwitch. "A few years before I met him, he had promised to marry a very rich woman. When he
managed to get his hands on an enormous amount of her money, he left her."
"But what does any of this have to do with me," asked Pip.
"Wasn’t it you who told me you had seen him on the marshes and I could get my revenge?" said Magwitch.
"What happened then?" asked Herbert.
"I was charged again and was sent away for life to Australia," replied Magwitch.
"What about Compeyson?" asked Pip.
"I didn’t hear any more of him," replied Magwitch.
Herbert showed Pip the notes he had been writing. Compeyson was the name of the man Miss Havisham was to marry.
The boys looked at each other but they didn't say anything.
Having heard this story, Pip decided that he needed to visit Miss Havisham. When he arrived at the Blue Boar Inn, he
recognised a man who was one of Estella’s pursuers. Pip did not like this man. He found him rough and vulgar.

On arriving at Miss Havisham’s, he found her in her usual place, with Estella sitting at her feet sewing.
"And what wind blows you here Pip?" asked Miss Havisham.
"I know who my benefactor is!" he said loudly.
"Really?" asked Miss Havisham.
"Why did you deceive me, lead me on to believe it was you? Was that kind?" pleaded Pip.
"Who am I," said Miss Havisham striking her stick upon the floor in anger. "Who am I, that I should be kind?"
Pip turned to Estella. "Estella, you know I love you. I’ve always loved you," he said.
Estella didn’t raise her head, and carried on sewing. "When you say you love me, I know what the word means, but
nothing more. I don’t feel anything inside of me. I tried to warn you of this, didn’t I?" she said.
Pip remembered the rough vulgar man and asked, "You cannot love him Estella, can you?"
"I have already told you how I understand love," she answered.
"You would never marry him, Estella?" pleaded Pip.
She looked at Miss Havisham and said, "Why not tell him the truth? I am going to marry him."
Pip fell to his knees as if he had been shot with a bullet and wounded in the heart. "Please, Estella, please," Pip begged.
"Not him!"
Pip felt like he was dying, but Estella carried on with her sewing. "Come, come. You will forget me in a week!" she
mocked.
"Never," replied Pip. He felt defeated.
Miss Havisham had such a look of pity and guilt on her face that Pip would never forget it.

When Pip returned to London, he made another discovery. He found out from Mr Jaggers’ clerk that Compeyson had
returned to London from Australia and that he was looking for Magwitch to have his revenge.
Pip told Herbert and they managed to find a safe place for Magwitch to stay for a while, until they could find a way to
get him out of the country.

CHAPTER 11

Home time after his return to London, Pip received an invitation to dine at Mr Jaggers’ house. While he was dining
there, as had happened on other occasions before, he couldn't stop noticing Jaggers’ housekeeper. Her hands and eyes
were familiar. In fact, Pip felt that she really reminded him of someone. That night, he decided that he had to find out
more about that woman. So, after the dinner was over, Pip went to find Jaggers’ clerk to ask him. After swearing him to
secrecy, the clerk explained that the housekeeper was someone Jaggers had defended for murder twenty years before.
She had had a child of three or four years old, whom Jaggers had arranged to be adopted.
"And who adopted this child?" asked Pip holding his breath.
"Someone you are very familiar with," answered the clerk.
"Then my suspicions are correct," said Pip. "Was it Miss Havisham?"
"It was indeed," confirmed the clerk.
"But what about the trial?" asked Pip. "Shouldn’t the woman have been hanged for murder?"
"Mr Jaggers got her off and she has been his housekeeper ever since," said the clerk.

The next day Pip travelled down to the village and went straight to Miss Havisham’s house. He had arranged to go and
see her before his meeting with Mr Jaggers’ clerk. She had promised to give him some money in order to help Herbert.
When Pip entered her room. Miss Havisham fell on her knees in front of him wailing, "What have I done? What have I
done? Can you ever forgive me? When I heard you speak the other day, it reminded me of myself, all those years ago,
when my heart was broken. And now she is married to another man," said Miss Havisham regretfully.
Pip was devastated on hearing this. He left the house and took the first train to London.
That same evening Pip dined with Herbert alone in their rooms. Herbert had been spending a lot of his time with
Magwitch in his safe hiding place.
"I have heard some more news of our friend’s life story," said Herbert. "Did you know that he was married? That he had
a child?" he asked Pip.
"No," answered Pip, "but what has become of them?"
"Well," said Herbert, "his wife was very beautiful but very jealous. So jealous that she was accused of murdering a
woman she believed was interested in Magwitch."
Pip couldn’t believe his ears. "Did she hang?" he asked.
"No," answered Herbert. "This is how Magwitch first came to know Jaggers. He defended his wife."
"And what about the child?" asked Pip.
"She disappeared. Magwitch believes that she died while his wife was locked up waiting for her trial," answered
Herbert.
"Herbert, Herbert!" cried Pip in excitement. "She didn’t die. That child grew up in Miss Havisham’s house. She is Estella.
Magwitch is Estella’s Father!"

CHAPTER l2

The day for Magwitch's escape had finally arrived. Pip and Herbert took him from his hiding place in a small boat. They
rowed down the river where Pip and Magwitch were to board a steamer for Germany.
"I am much obliged for what you are doing for me, Master Pip," said Magwitch.
Eventually, they came to a small inlet, which was quite far from the city.
"We will wait here for the steamer," said Pip. "It seems like a safe spot." They settled down to wait for a couple of hours,
doing their best to protect themselves from the cold river breeze.
"Ship ahoy," shouted Herbert, standing up suddenly and pointing in the direction of the approaching steamer. They all
started rowing to meet the approaching ship. Suddenly, a small boat with four rowers appeared from the opposite bank
of the river.
As the other boat approached, Pip recognised the face of the man sitting in the stern. It was Compeyson, the other
convict from that day on the marshes all those years ago.
The ship for Germany was coming closer and closer and the sound of her engines grew louder, when suddenly a voice
from the other boat was heard. "You have a returned convict there," said an officer. "His name is Abel, Magwitch. Give
him up!"
The four rowers from Compeyson’s boat took hold of Pip’s boat. The crew from the German steamer were calling out
for Pip and Magwitch to climb on board. There was great confusion. At that moment the officer lay his hand on
Magwitch’s shoulder, but the boats were rocking about so much there was panic. Magwitch jumped onto the other boat
and grabbed Compeyson. Suddenly the steamer rammed the two small boats and there was a splash as the two men fell
overboard.
Pip’s boat sank, but the other boat stayed afloat, and Pip and Herbert managed to climb into it. After some time, a dark
object was seen moving towards the boat. It was Magwitch! He was pulled up into the boat and immediately chained at
the wrists and ankles. He was severely injured and told Pip he had gone under the ship and had hit his head. He and
Compeyson had fought under water, but Magwitch had freed himself.
Magwitch was taken back to London and Pip accompanied him. Pip had come to feel a great deal of affection for him
and spent as much time as he could with him before and during the trial.

Pip blamed himself for the outcome of the trial. Magwitch was sentenced to death. Pip was very sad and said, "I’m so
sorry, this happened because you came home to see me."
"Dear boy, I was happy to take that chance. I’m happy to know you don’t need me now to continue being a gentleman,"
replied Magwitch affectionately.
Magwitch was never hanged. He fell ill and he got worse and worse every day. When Pip realised that he was about to
die, he took his hand and said, "Dear Magwitch, please listen to what I have to say."
Magwitch squeezed Pip’s hand to show him that he could understand and that he had heard.
"You had a child once, whom you loved and lost," continued Pip.
There was a stronger squeeze to Pip’s hand.
"She’s living and is a lady, a very beautiful lady. And I love her deeply," confessed Pip.
With his dying breath, Magwitch raised Pip’s hand to his lips and then let it gently fall onto his breast.

CHAPTER 13

Life got no better for Pip after Magwitch’s death. He gave up the rooms he had shared with Herbert and he was in great
debt. Shortly, Pip fell very ill also. He had a great fever and couldn't move his body from his bed. Days passed by and
when Pip finally awoke, he saw Joe at his bedside.
Slowly Pip got stronger. Joe told Pip about Miss Havisham. She had died and left most of her property to Estella. Joe also
told Pip that Orlick had been arrested for breaking into Mr Pumblechook’s house and was sent to prison.
One morning, Pip felt strong enough to get out of bed. He found a note.

"Now you’re well, dear Pip, you will do better without Joe.
PS. Ever the best of friends."

Tears came to his eyes. Pip knew he had to see Joe and Biddy. He would ask for their forgiveness and perhaps Biddy
would be kind and marry him, despite all his faults.
Three days later, Pip headed to his childhood home. The forge was shut but the house seemed occupied. Pip walked in
and saw fresh, white flowers and Joe and Biddy looking very grand.
"How smart you are!" Pip said to Biddy, "And Joe, how smart you look!" he added.
"Yes, dear old Pip. It’s our wedding day," cried Biddy, "I’ve married Joe!"
They were both so happy to see Pip. He was grateful that he had never told Joe of his intentions to propose to Biddy.
"And now," said Pip, "tell me that you both forgive me."
"Oh dear Pip. God knows I forgive you, if there’s anything to forgive," said Joe.
"And God knows I do," cried Biddy.

After spending some days with Joe and Biddy, Pip returned to London. He sold all he had and went out to Cairo to work
for Herbert. Pip was there for eleven years before he felt a need to return home, especially to see Joe and Biddy. It was a
surprise trip. Pip went to the house and saw Joe, as strong as ever, sitting by the kitchen fire. In the corner, where Pip
used to sit as a boy, another child was sitting.
"Hello little lad. What’s your fine name?" asked Pip.
"Pip, sir," replied the boy.
"Oh Joe!" said older Pip, turning to Joe with tears in his eyes.
"We hoped he might grow up a little like you," smiled Joe.

There was one more place Pip wanted to visit, and that was Miss Havisham’s old house. He had heard that Estella had
had an unhappy marriage and that her husband had died. In the evening Pip went to the house where Miss Havisham
used to live, but there was no house now, no building at all, just the wall of the old garden. Then Pip saw the shape of a
woman approaching him. As she came nearer, Pip cried out, "Estella!"
"It’s amazing that you recognise me after so long," said Estella.
"I could never forget you Estella," said Pip as they sat on a bench, "How strange that we should meet here again after so
many years. Do you often come back?" he asked.
"No," she said, "This ground belongs to me, but everything else has gone from me, piece by piece."
"Will you build on it?" he asked.
"That’s my plan. And you, have you done well?" enquired Estella.
"Yes, quite well," replied Pip.
"I have often thought of you," said Estella.
"You have always had a special place in my heart," sighed Pip.
"And now we must part again," added Estella.
Pip looked to the ground and said, "We are friends."
"Let us continue as friends, even if we are far away from each other," said Estella.
Pip took Estella’s hand and they walked over to the ruined place. Pip looked across the fields as the sun set. He couldn’t
imagine ever leaving Estella again.