The Writings of Charles Dickens (Volume 32); The Dickens Dictionary, a Key to the Plot and Characters in the Tales of Charles Dickens, with

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 Excerpt: ...are of my poor widowed mother, with her pretty hair and youthful shape, and Peggotty (her first name was Clara, which was also my mother's), our maid-servant, with jet black eyes and red cheeks. Both my mother and I were a little afraid of Peggotty, but she was very good to us, being, in fact, the most affectionate, devoted, and single-hearted woman that ever lived. We were very happy until a shadow fell across us, --the shadow of Mr. Murdstone, with his black whiskers, black eyebrows, and black hair. I hated him instinctively from the first, and so did Peggotty; but my mother used to blush and smile when he complimented her, and he began to be often at our house. It was at this time that Peggotty and I went to Yarmouth, to spend a fortnight--with her brother, by whom we were warmly greeted. Mr. Peggotty's house--it was really not a house, but a superannuated schooner which formerly had sailed the seas, but now was snugly anchored in the sand, high and dry--formed the most cosy and fascinating abode imaginable. Mr. Peggotty's family consisted of himself, --he being a bacheldore, to use his own expression, --Mrs. Gummidge, the widow of his former partner (since drowned), his nephew, Ham Peggotty, and his niece, Little Em'1y, a beautiful child, with whom I used to wander on the shore, and with whom I fell in love. The two weeks sped quickly by, and then we were at home again, but alas! it was the old home no longer. Mr. Murdstone was installed there, for he and my mother had been married._. in the interval. I went up to my room--not the one 1 used to have--and threw myself upon the bed weeping and sobbing. My mother followed to comfort me, but very soon Mr. Murdstone came in and sent her away. Then, having given me to understand that if...