Inowfellintoaregularroutineofapprenticeship-life, whichwasvaried, beyondthelimitsofthevillageandthemarshes, , IfoundMissHavishamjustasIhadlefther, andshespokeofEstellaintheverysameway, , andshegavemeaguineawhenIwasgoing, , butwithnobettereffectthancausinghertoaskmeveryangrily, ifIexpectedmore? Then, andafterthat, Itookit.

Sounchangingwasthedulloldhouse, theyellowlightinthedarkenedroom, thefadedspectreinthechairbythedressing-tableglass, thatIfeltasifthestoppingoftheclockshadstoppedTimeinthatmysteriousplace, and, whileIandeverythingelseoutsideitgrewolder, , , andunderitsinfluenceIcontinuedathearttohatemytradeandtobeashamedofhome.

ImperceptiblyIbecameconsciousofachangeinBiddy, , herhairgrewbrightandneat, —shewascommon, andcouldnotbelikeEstella— (Irememberherbeingnewlyoutofmourningatthetimeitstruckme), whenIobservedtomyselfoneeveningthatshehadcuriouslythoughtfulandattentiveeyes; eyesthatwereveryprettyandverygood.

ItcameofmyliftingupmyowneyesfromataskIwasporingat—writingsomepassagesfromabook, toimprovemyselfintwowaysatoncebyasortofstratagem—, andBiddystoppedinherneedleworkwithoutlayingitdown.

“Biddy,” saidI, “howdoyoumanageit? EitherIamverystupid, oryouareveryclever.”

“WhatisitthatImanage? Idon’tknow,” returnedBiddy, smiling.

Shemanagedourwholedomesticlife, andwonderfullytoo; butIdidnotmeanthat, thoughthatmadewhatIdidmean, moresurprising.