“How’s your Ma, sir?” said Mr. Peggotty. “Did you leave her pretty jolly?”

I gave Mr. Peggotty to understand that she was as jolly as I could wish, and that she desired her compliments⁠—which was a polite fiction on my part.

“I’m much obleeged to her, I’m sure,” said Mr. Peggotty. “Well, sir, if you can make out here, fur a fortnut, ’long wi’ her,” nodding at his sister, “and Ham, and little Em’ly, we shall be proud of your company.”