I was looking at her with pleasure and admiration, when suddenly the growl swelled into a roar again, and a frightful bumping noise was heard above, as if a giant with a wooden leg were trying to bore it through the ceiling to come to us.  Upon this Clara said to Herbert, “Papa wants me, darling!” and ran away.

“There is an unconscionable old shark for you!” said Herbert.  “What do you suppose he wants now, Handel?”

“I don’t know,” said I.  “Something to drink?”

“That’s it!” cried Herbert, as if I had made a guess of extraordinary merit.  “He keeps his grog ready-mixed in a little tub on the table.  Wait a moment, and you’ll hear Clara lift him up to take some. — There he goes!” Another roar, with a prolonged shake at the end.  “Now,” said Herbert, as it was succeeded by silence, “he’s drinking.  Now,” said Herbert, as the growl resounded in the beam once more, “he’s down again on his back!”

Clara returned soon afterwards, and Herbert accompanied me up-stairs to see our charge.  As we passed Mr. Barley’s door, he was heard hoarsely muttering within, in a strain that rose and fell like wind, the following Refrain; in which I substitute good wishes for something quite the reverse.

“Ahoy!  Bless your eyes, here’s old Bill Barley.  Here’s old Bill Barley, bless your eyes.  Here’s old Bill Barley on the flat of his back, by the Lord.  Lying on the flat of his back, like a drifting old dead flounder, here’s your old Bill Barley, bless your eyes.  Ahoy!  Bless you.”

In this strain of consolation, Herbert informed me the invisible Barley would commune with himself by the day and night together; often while it was light, having, at the same time, one eye at a telescope which was fitted on his bed for the convenience of sweeping the river.

In his two cabin rooms at the top of the house, which were fresh and airy, and in which Mr. Barley was less audible than below, I found Provis comfortably settled.  He expressed no alarm, and seemed to feel none that was worth mentioning; but it struck me that he was softened — indefinably, for I could not have said how, and could never afterwards recall how when I tried; but certainly.

The opportunity that the day’s rest had given me for reflection, had resulted in my fully determining to say nothing to him respecting Compeyson.  For anything I knew, his animosity towards the man might otherwise lead to his seeking him out and rushing on his own destruction.  Therefore, when Herbert and I sat down with him by his fire, I asked him first of all whether he relied on Wemmick’s judgment and sources of information?

“Ay, ay, dear boy!” he answered, with a grave nod, “Jaggers knows.”

“Then, I have talked with Wemmick,” said I, “and have come to tell you what caution he gave me and what advice.”