"Great Expectations"
by Charles Dickens

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     After Mr. Pumblechook had driven off, and when my sister was washing up, I stole into the forge to Joe, and remained by him until he had done for the night. Then I said, "Before the fire goes out, Joe, I should like to tell you something."

     "Should you, Pip?" said Joe, drawing his shoeing-stool near the forge. "Then tell us. What is it, Pip?"

     "Joe," said I, taking hold of his rolled-up shirt sleeve, and twisting it between my finger and thumb, "you remember all that about Miss Havisham's?"

     "Remember?" said Joe. "I believe you! Wonderful!"

     "It's a terrible thing, Joe; it ain't true."

 

     "What are you telling of, Pip?" cried Joe, falling back in the greatest amazement. "You don't mean to say it's--"

     "Yes I do; it's lies, Joe."

     "But not all of it? Why sure you don't mean to say, Pip, that there was no black welwet co--ch?" For, I stood shaking my head. "But at least there was dogs, Pip? Come, Pip," said Joe, persuasively, "if there warn't no weal-cutlets, at least there was dogs?"

     "No, Joe."

     "A dog?" said Joe. "A puppy? Come?"

 
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