Introduction.—­The scene is the interior of the “Old Ark”; the time is evening.  The rain is falling outside, yet inside the old ark all is snug and comfortable.  The fire is burning brightly on the hearth, and Mother Gummidge sits by it knitting.  Ham has gone out to fetch little Em’ly home from her work,—­and the old fisherman sits smoking his evening pipe by the table near the window.  They are expecting Steerforth and Copperfield in to spend the evening.  Presently a knock is heard and David enters.  Old Peggotty gets up to greet him.

Old Peg.—­Why!  It’s Mas’r Davy?  Glad to see you, Mas’r Davy, you’re the first of the lot!  Take off that cloak of yours if it’s wet and draw right up to the fire.  Don’t you mind Mawther Gummidge, Mas’r Davy; she’s a-thinkin’ of the old ’un.  She allers do be thinkin of the old ’un when there’s a storm a-comin’ up, along of his havin’ been drowned at sea.  Well, now, I must go and light up accordin’ to custom. (He lights a candle and puts it on the table by the window.) Theer we are!  Theer we are!  A-lighted up accordin’ to custom.  Now, Mas’r Davy, you’re a-wonderin’ what that little candle is for, ain’t yer?  Well, I’ll tell yer.  It’s for my little Em’ly.  You see, the path ain’t o’er light or cheerful arter dark, so when I’m home here along the time that Little Em’ly comes home from her work, I allers lights the little candle and puts it there on the table in the winder, and it serves two purposes,—­first, Em’ly sees it and she says:  “Theer’s home,” and likewise, “Theer’s Uncle,” fur if I ain’t here I never have no light showed.  Theer!  Now you’re laughin’ at me, Mas’r Davy!  You’re a sayin’ as how I’m a babby.  Well, I don’t know but I am. (Walks towards table.) Not a babby to look at, but a babby to consider on.  A babby in the form of a Sea Porky-pine.

See the candle sparkle!  I can hear it say—­“Em’ly’s lookin’ at me!  Little Em’ly’s comin’!” Right I am for here she is! (He goes to the door to meet her; the door opens and Ham comes staggering in.)

Ham.—­She’s gone!  Her that I’d a died fur, and will die fur even now!  She’s gone!

Peggotty.—­Gone!!

Ham.—­Gone!  She’s run away!  And think how she’s run away when I pray my good and gracious God to strike her down dead, sooner than let her come to disgrace and shame.

Peggotty.—­Em’ly gone!  I’ll not believe it.  I must have proof—­proof.

Ham.—­Read that writin’.

Peggotty.—­No!  I won’t read that writin’—­read it you, Mas’r Davy.  Slow, please.  I don’t know as I can understand.

David.—­(Reads) “When you see this I shall be far away.”

Peggotty.—­Stop theer, Mas’r Davy!  Stop theer!  Fur away!  My Little Em’ly fur away!  Well?

David.—­(Reads) “Never to come back again unless he brings me back a lady.  Don’t remember, Ham, that we were to be married, but try to think of me as if I had died long ago, and was buried somewhere.  My last love and last tears for Uncle.”