Ham staggered, as well he might, under the blow Mr. Peggotty dealt him in his unbounded joy, as a mark of confidence and friendship; but feeling called upon to say something to us, he said, with much faltering and great difficulty:

“She warn’t no higher than you was, Mas’r Davy⁠—when you first come⁠—when I thought what she’d grow up to be. I see her grown up⁠—gent’lmen⁠—like a flower. I’d lay down my life for her⁠—Mas’r Davy⁠—Oh! most content and cheerful! She’s more to me⁠—gent’lmen⁠—than⁠—she’s all to me that ever I can want, and more than ever I⁠—than ever I could say. I⁠—I love her true. There ain’t a gent’lman in all the land⁠—nor yet sailing upon all the sea⁠—that can love his lady more than I love her, though there’s many a common man⁠—would say better⁠—what he meant.”