In a corner of the room was something neatly covered up with a large white cloth. I could not make out what that was.
“Traddles,” said I, shaking hands with him again, after I had sat down, “I am delighted to see you.”
“I am delighted to see you , Copperfield,” he returned. “I am very glad indeed to see you. It was because I was thoroughly glad to see you when we met in Ely Place, and was sure you were thoroughly glad to see me, that I gave you this address instead of my address at chambers.”
“Oh! You have chambers?” said I.
“Why, I have the fourth of a room and a passage, and the fourth of a clerk,” returned Traddles. “Three others and myself unite to have a set of chambers—to look businesslike—and we quarter the clerk too. Half-a-crown a week he costs me.”
His old simple character and good temper, and something of his old unlucky fortune also, I thought, smiled at me in the smile with which he made this explanation.
“It’s not because I have the least pride, Copperfield, you understand,” said Traddles, “that I don’t usually give my address here. It’s only on account of those who come to me, who might not like to come here. For myself, I am fighting my way on in the world against difficulties, and it would be ridiculous if I made a pretence of doing anything else.”
“You are reading for the bar, Mr. Waterbrook informed me?” said I.
“Why, yes,” said Traddles, rubbing his hands slowly over one another. “I am reading for the bar. The fact is, I have just begun to keep my terms, after rather a long delay. It’s some time since I was articled, but the payment of that hundred pounds was a great pull. A great pull!” said Traddles, with a wince, as if he had had a tooth out.