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."
Peggotty.—Who's the man? What's his name? I want to know the man's name.
Ham.—It warn't no fault of yours, Mas'r Davy, that I know.
Peggotty.—What! You don't mean his name's Steerforth, do you?
Ham.—Yes! His name is Steerforth, and he's a cursed villain!