“ ’Tis like to be long,” said Mr. Peggotty, in a low voice, “afore the boat finds new tenants. They look upon ’t, down heer, as being unfortunate now!”

“Does it belong to anybody in the neighbourhood?” I asked.

“To a mast-maker up town,” said Mr. Peggotty. “I’m a-going to give the key to him tonight.”

We looked into the other little room, and came back to Mrs. Gummidge, sitting on the locker, whom Mr. Peggotty, putting the light on the chimneypiece, requested to rise, that he might carry it outside the door before extinguishing the candle.