The next morning, life seemed much brighter. My only worry was that I had to wait six days before leaving for London. I was even a little afraid that London might change or disappear before I arrived!
Joe and Biddy were very kind when I spoke about leaving, but they only talked about it when I did. After breakfast, Joe brought out my apprentice papers. We put them in the fire and watched them burn. As the papers turned to ash, I felt completely free. Later, I went to church with Joe. I felt different now; I felt like a gentleman.
After dinner, I went for a walk alone across the marshes. As I passed the church, I felt a strange kind of pity for the poor village people. I thought about how they would spend their whole lives in this small place and eventually be buried in the graveyard. I promised myself that one day, when I was rich, I would come back and give everyone in the village a grand dinner.
I looked at the graves and remembered the shivering convict I had met there years ago. I was glad that those days were over. He was probably dead or far away in another country. I wasn't a poor blacksmith’s boy anymore. I was going to London to become a gentleman!
I was lying on the grass when I woke up and found Joe sitting beside me, smoking his pipe.
“I thought I’d follow you, Pip,” Joe said with a smile. “Since it’s your last time here.”
“I’m glad you did, Joe,” I said. We shook hands. “I will never forget you.”
“I know you won’t, Pip,” Joe replied. “It’s a big change, isn’t it? It all happened so fast.”
I was a bit annoyed that Joe was so sure of me. I wanted him to be more impressed by my good fortune. I told him that I had always wanted to be a gentleman. Then, I said something that I later regretted.
“Joe, it’s a pity you didn't learn more when we had our lessons. It would be better for you now.”
“I don’t know,” Joe said quietly. “I’m just a simple man who knows his trade. I’m dull, and that’s just how it is.”
I thought Joe didn't understand me, so I decided to talk to Biddy instead. That evening, I took her into the garden.
“Biddy,” I said, “I want you to help Joe while I’m away. Help him with his reading and his manners.”
Biddy looked at me steadily. “Why?”
“Well, Joe is a dear, good fellow,” I explained, “but he is a bit backwards. If I want to move him into a higher social class later, his manners need to improve.”
“Don’t you think he knows that?” Biddy asked.
I felt angry. “Biddy, what do you mean?”
“Have you considered that he might be proud?” she asked. “He is happy with his work. He does it well and people respect him. Maybe he doesn't want to be taken out of the life he knows.”
“You are just jealous, Biddy!” I said crossly. “You are unhappy because I have become rich.”
“If you really believe that,” Biddy said sadly, “then say it. But a gentleman should be fair.”
I walked away, feeling lonely and dissatisfied. However, the next morning I felt better. I went into town to visit Mr. Trabb, the tailor.
At first, Mr. Trabb didn't care about me. But when I told him I had come into a "handsome property" and showed him my gold coins, everything changed. He became incredibly polite. He called me "Sir" and shouted at his shop boy to be quiet. He treated me like a king because I had money. It was my first real experience of the power of wealth.
Next, I went to see Mr. Pumblechook. He was waiting for me with a large meal. He shook my hand over and over again.
“My dear friend!” he cried. “I always knew you were special! I always said you would have a great fortune!”
He was being a hypocrite. He used to treat me badly, but now he acted like my best friend. He even asked me for business advice, hoping I would invest my money with him. I knew he wasn't being honest, but the wine and the praise made me feel very important.
On Friday, I put on my new suit and went to say goodbye to Miss Havisham. When Sarah Pocket opened the door, she was shocked to see me looking so well-dressed. Miss Havisham was walking around her room with her stick.
“I am going to London tomorrow, Miss Havisham,” I said.
“I have heard the news, Pip,” she said, looking at the jealous Sarah Pocket with a cruel smile. “So, you have a rich guardian and a great future? Be good, and always keep the name Pip.”
I knelt down and kissed her hand. I felt she was like a fairy godmother who had changed my life.
Finally, my last night at home arrived. I felt very sad as I sat with Joe and Biddy. I had decided to walk to the coach station alone the next morning. To be honest, I was ashamed to be seen with Joe because of his simple clothes. I knew this was wrong, and I almost went downstairs to ask him to come with me, but I didn't.
At five o’clock the next morning, I was ready. It was a fast breakfast, and nobody felt like eating. I kissed Biddy, threw my arms around Joe’s neck, and picked up my bag. As I walked away, I looked back and saw Joe and Biddy throwing their old shoes after me for good luck.
“Hooray!” Joe shouted, waving his strong arm. Biddy covered her face with her apron.
I walked fast, telling myself it was easy to leave. But as I reached the end of the village, the morning mist was rising. Everything felt quiet and peaceful. Suddenly, I realized what I was leaving behind. I broke into tears.
“Goodbye, my dear, dear friend!” I whispered, thinking of Joe.
I felt better after crying. I felt more aware of my own ingratitude. For a moment, I wanted to turn back and spend one more evening with them. But the coach arrived, and soon I was moving away. The mist had cleared, and the whole world lay spread before me.