Ham was quite as earnest as he. I dare say they would have said much more about her, if they had not been abashed by the unexpected coming in of Steerforth, who, seeing me in a corner speaking with two strangers, stopped in a song he was singing, and said: “I didn’t know you were here, young Copperfield!” (for it was not the usual visiting room) and crossed by us on his way out.

I am not sure whether it was in the pride of having such a friend as Steerforth, or in the desire to explain to him how I came to have such a friend as Mr. Peggotty, that I called to him as he was going away. But I said, modestly⁠—Good Heaven, how it all comes back to me this long time afterwards⁠—!

“Don’t go, Steerforth, if you please. These are two Yarmouth boatmen⁠—very kind, good people⁠—who are relations of my nurse, and have come from Gravesend to see me.”

“Aye, aye?” said Steerforth, returning. “I am glad to see them. How are you both?”