I expressed my thanks

　　'You see,' said  Mr. Peggotty, 'knowing  as you was  partial to a  little relish with your  wittles when  you was  along with  us, we  took the liberty.  The old Mawther biled 'em, she did.  Mrs. Gummidge biled 'em.  Yes,' said Mr.  Peggotty, slowly, who I thought appeared to stick  to the subject on account of having  no other subject ready, 'Mrs. Gummidge, I do assure you, she biled 'em.'

　　I expressed my thanks; and Mr. Peggotty, after looking at Ham, who stood smiling sheepishly over the shellfish, without making any attempt to help him, said:

　　'We  come, you  see, the  wind and  tide making  in our  favour, in  one of  our Yarmouth lugs to  Gravesen'.  My sister  she wrote to  me the name  of this here place, and wrote to me as if ever I chanced to come to Gravesen', I was to  come over and inquire for Mas'r Davy and give her dooty, humbly wishing him well  and reporting of  the fam'ly  as they  was oncommon  toe-be-sure.  Little Em'ly, you see, she'll  write to  my sister  when I  go back,  as I  see you and as you was similarly oncommon, and so we make it quite a merry- go-rounder.'

　　I was obliged to consider a  little before I understood what Mr.  Peggotty meant by this figure, expressive of a complete circle of intelligence.  I then thanked him  heartily; and  said, with  a consciousness  of reddening,  that I  supposed little Em'ly was altered too, since we used to pick up shells and pebbles on the beach?

　　'She's  getting  to be  a  woman, that's  wot  she's getting  to  be,' said  Mr. Peggotty.  'Ask HIM.' He meant Ham, who beamed with delight and assent over  the bag of shrimps.

　　'Her pretty face!' said Mr. Peggotty, with his own shining like a light.

　　'Her learning!' said Ham.

　　'Her writing!' said Mr. Peggotty.  'Why it's  as black as jet!  And so large  it is, you might see it anywheres.'

　　It was perfectly delightful to  behold with what enthusiasm Mr.  Peggotty became inspired when he thought of his little favourite. He stands before me again, his bluff hairy face irradiating with a joyful love and pride, for which I can  find no description.  His honest eyes fire  up, and sparkle, as if their  depths were stirred by something bright.  His broad chest heaves with pleasure.  His  strong loose hands  clench themselves,  in his  earnestness; and  he emphasizes what he says with a right arm that shows, in my pigmy view, like a sledge-hammer.