But what I look at is this. The late Compeyson having been beforehand with him in intelligence of his return, and being so determined to bring him to book, I do not think he could have been saved.
Whereas, the portable property certainly could have been saved.
That's the difference between the property and the owner, don't you see?"
I invited Wemmick to come up stairs, and refresh himself with a glass of grog before walking to Walworth.
He accepted the invitation.
While he was drinking his moderate allowance, he said, with nothing to lead up to it, and after having appeared rather fidgety,—
"What do you think of my meaning to take a holiday on Monday, Mr. Pip?"
"Why, I suppose you have not done such a thing these twelve months."
"These twelve years, more likely," said Wemmick.
"Yes.
I'm going to take a holiday.
More than that; I'm going to take a walk.
More than that; I'm going to ask you to take a walk with me."
I was about to excuse myself, as being but a bad companion just then, when Wemmick anticipated me.
"I know your engagements," said he, "and I know you are out of sorts, Mr. Pip.
But if you could oblige me, I should take it as a kindness.
It ain't a long walk, and it's an early one.
Say it might occupy you (including breakfast on the walk) from eight to twelve.
Couldn't you stretch a point and manage it?"
He had done so much for me at various times, that this was very little to do for him.
I said I could manage it,—would manage it,—and he was so very much pleased by my acquiescence, that I was pleased too.
At his particular request, I appointed to call for him at the Castle at half past eight on Monday morning, and so we parted for the time.
Punctual to my appointment, I rang at the Castle gate on the Monday morning, and was received by Wemmick himself, who struck me as looking tighter than usual, and having a sleeker hat on.
Within, there were two glasses of rum and milk prepared, and two biscuits.
The Aged must have been stirring with the lark, for, glancing into the perspective of his bedroom, I observed that his bed was empty.
When we had fortified ourselves with the rum and milk and biscuits, and were going out for the walk with that training preparation on us, I was considerably surprised to see Wemmick take up a fishing-rod, and put it over his shoulder.
"Why, we are not going fishing!" said I.
"No," returned Wemmick, "but I like to walk with one."
I thought this odd; however, I said nothing, and we set off.
We went towards Camberwell Green, and when we were thereabouts, Wemmick said suddenly,—
"Halloa!
Here's a church!"
There was nothing very surprising in that; but again, I was rather surprised, when he said, as if he were animated by a brilliant idea,—
"Let's go in!"
We went in, Wemmick leaving his fishing-rod in the porch, and looked all round.
In the mean time, Wemmick was diving into his coat-pockets, and getting something out of paper there.
"Halloa!" said he.
"Here's a couple of pair of gloves!
Let's put 'em on!"
As the gloves were white kid gloves, and as the post-office was widened to its utmost extent, I now began to have my strong suspicions.
They were strengthened into certainty when I beheld the Aged enter at a side door, escorting a lady.
"Halloa!" said Wemmick.
"Here's Miss Skiffins!
Let's have a wedding."
That discreet damsel was attired as usual, except that she was now engaged in substituting for her green kid gloves a pair of white.
The Aged was likewise occupied in preparing a similar sacrifice for the altar of Hymen.
The old gentleman, however, experienced so much difficulty in getting his gloves on, that Wemmick found it necessary to put him with his back against a pillar, and then to get behind the pillar himself and pull away at them, while I for my part held the old gentleman round the waist, that he might present an equal and safe resistance.
By dint of this ingenious scheme, his gloves were got on to perfection.
The clerk and clergyman then appearing, we were ranged in order at those fatal rails.
True to his notion of seeming to do it all without preparation, I heard Wemmick say to himself, as he took something out of his waistcoat-pocket before the service began,