It took place this here present hour; and here’s the man that’ll marry her, the minute she’s out of her time.’

Ham staggered, as well he might, under the blow Mr. Peggotty dealt him in his unbounded joy, as a mark of confidence and friendship; but feeling called upon to say something to us, he said, with much faltering and great difficulty:

‘She warn’t no higher than you was, Mas’r Davy — when you first come — when I thought what she’d grow up to be.

I see her grown up — gent’lmen — like a flower. I’d lay down my life for her — Mas’r Davy — Oh! most content and cheerful! She’s more to me — gent’lmen — than — she’s all to me that ever I can want, and more than ever I —