It was the first time that someone close to me had died, and it changed how I saw the world. I couldn’t stop thinking about my sister sitting in her chair by the kitchen fire. Even though I hadn’t thought about her much lately, I now had the strange feeling that I might see her in the street or hear her knock on my door.
I didn’t feel a lot of love for her, because she had been very hard on me when I was a child. However, I felt a deep shock and a strange kind of guilt. I also felt very angry at the person who had attacked her. I felt that if I could find Orlick, or whoever did it, I would want revenge.
I wrote to Joe to tell him I was sorry and that I would attend the funeral. A few days later, I traveled back to the village. It was a beautiful summer morning. As I walked toward the forge, I remembered how my sister used to treat me. But now, those memories felt softer. I realized that one day, people would be thinking of me after I was gone, and I hoped they would think of me with kindness.
When I arrived at the house, I saw that Mr. Trabb, the undertaker, had taken over. There were men dressed in black standing at the door looking very serious. Inside, the house felt dark and strange. Mr. Trabb was busy organizing everything with black cloth and pins.
Poor Joe was sitting in a corner, wearing a small black cloak tied in a large bow under his chin. He looked very uncomfortable. When I went over to him and asked how he was, he just held my hand tightly. "Pip, old chap," he said, "you knew her when she was strong..." He couldn't finish his sentence.
Biddy was there too, looking neat and quiet in her black dress. She was being very helpful to everyone. The room smelled of sweet cake and wine. Mr. Pumblechook was there, eating and drinking a lot of sherry. As soon as he saw me, he started acting like he was my best friend, trying to get my attention and acting very humble because of my wealth.
Soon, the funeral procession began. We walked two by two through the village. Joe and I walked together, followed by Biddy and Pumblechook. The neighbors watched us pass, and some children ran along beside us. It felt more like a show than a sad event. Pumblechook kept annoying me by smoothing my clothes and acting as if he were taking care of me.
We reached the churchyard, where my parents were buried. My sister was laid to rest in the quiet earth while the birds sang high above us. During the service, Pumblechook kept looking at me, as if to remind me that I was now a rich young gentleman.
After the funeral, Pumblechook and the others left to have a drink at the inn. When they were gone, the house felt much better. Joe, Biddy, and I had dinner together. At first, it was a bit quiet and awkward because we ate in the "best room" instead of the kitchen. But later, Joe put on his normal clothes and we sat outside the forge on a big stone. He looked like himself again, and I felt more comfortable.
That evening, I went into the garden to talk to Biddy.
"Biddy," I said, "I think you should have written to me to tell me more about what happened."
"Do you, Mr. Pip?" Biddy asked quietly. She was so calm and sensible that I didn't want to argue with her.
"I suppose you can't stay here now, Biddy?" I asked.
"No," she said. "I am going to live with Mrs. Hubble for a while. I want to become a teacher at the new school. I have been studying hard to improve myself."
"I’m sure you will be a great teacher, Biddy," I said. Then I asked her how my sister had died.
Biddy told me that my sister had been quiet for days. Then, on her last evening, she suddenly said, "Joe." Biddy called Joe in from the forge. My sister signaled for Joe to sit near her and asked Biddy to put her arms around Joe’s neck. She laid her head on his shoulder and looked very peaceful. She said "Joe" again, then "Pardon," and finally "Pip." Then she closed her eyes and passed away.
Biddy cried as she told me this, and my own eyes filled with tears.
"Was the attacker ever found?" I asked.
"No," Biddy replied.
"And what about Orlick?"
"I think he is working nearby," she said. Then she looked toward a dark tree in the lane. "I saw him there the night she died. And I have seen him there again tonight, while we were walking."
I was furious. I told Biddy I would spend any amount of money to drive Orlick away from the village. But Biddy calmed me down. She talked about how much Joe loved me and how he never complained about anything.
"I will come down here often to see Joe," I promised. "I won't leave him alone."
Biddy said nothing.
"Biddy, didn't you hear me?" I asked.
"Yes, Mr. Pip."
"Then why are you silent?" I felt a bit insulted. "Do you doubt that I will come back?"
Biddy stopped and looked at me under the stars. "Are you quite sure that you will come to see him often?" she asked honestly.
I was shocked and angry. I thought Biddy was being very unfair to me. I took a cold leave of her and went up to my old room, feeling that she had done me a great injustice.
Early the next morning, I got ready to leave. I looked into the forge and saw Joe already working. He looked strong and healthy in the morning sun.
"Good-bye, dear Joe!" I called out. I reached for his hand. "I shall be back soon and often."
"Never too soon, sir," Joe said with a smile, "and never too often, Pip!"
Biddy was waiting at the door with some bread and milk for my journey. "I am not angry, Biddy," I told her as I left, "but I am hurt."
"Please don't be hurt," she said kindly. "I only said what I felt."
As I walked away, the morning mist was rising. Deep down, I suspected that Biddy was right. I was moving on to a different life, and I might not come back as often as I promised.