“DearboyandPip’, , I’, injailandoutofjail, , you’’smylifeprettymuch, downtosuchtimesasIgotshippedoff, arterPipstoodmyfriend.

“I’vebeendoneeverythingto, prettywell—excepthanged.I’vebeenlockedup, asmuchasasilvertea-kittle.I’vebeencartedhereandcartedthere, andputoutofthistownandputoutofthattown, andstuckinthestocks, andwhippedandworriedanddrove.I’venomorenotionwhereIwasborn, thanyouhave—, downinEssex, —aman—atinker—andhe’dtookthefirewithhim, andleftmewerycold.

“Iknow’dmynametobeMagwitch, chrisen’? MuchasIknow’dthebirds’ namesinthehedgestobechaffinch, sparrer, , onlyasthebirds’ namescomeouttrue, Isupposedminedid.

“SofurasIcouldfind, therewarn’tasoulthatseeyoungAbelMagwitch, withuslittleonhimasinhim, butwotcaughtfrightathim, andeitherdrovehimoff, , tookup, tookup, tothatextentthatIreg’larlygrow’duptookup.

“Thisisthewayitwas, thatwhenIwasaraggedlittlecreeturasmuchtobepitiedaseverIsee (notthatIlookedintheglass, fortherewarn’tmanyinsidesoffurnishedhousesknowntome), Igotthenameofbeinghardened.‘Thisisaterriblehardenedone,’ theysaystoprisonwisitors, pickingoutme.‘Maybesaidtoliveinjails, thisboy.’ Thentheylookedatme, andIlookedatthem, andtheymeasuredmyhead, someon ’em—theyhadbetterameasuredmystomach—andotherson ’emgivemetractswhatIcouldn’tread, andmademespeecheswhatIcouldn’? Imustputsomethingintomystomach, mustn’tI?—Howsomever, I’magettinglow, andIknowwhat’’scomrade, don’tyoubeafeerdofmebeinglow.