Havisham: a Novel
“(‘Things could always be better.’) Lion & Adder, Plow & Sail, Half Penny House, Cocoa Tree, Bombay Grab.
(‘These are hard times.’) Swan & Maidenhead, Swan with Two Necks, Swan & Sugarloaf, Swan & Hoop.
(‘Sixty-odd hundredweight on, was it, ten acres, profit five pounds something.’) Whistling Oyster, Three Nuns & Hare, Copenhagen, Two Chairmen, Mother Redcap.
(‘You’ve come over all pale, miss –’ ‘Still? Not still pale?’ What about my mastery of my untidy emotions, my self-command? My pride?) Foul Anchor, Ship Aground. World Upside Down, World’s End.
* * * I knew what they wanted, which was to have a man in charge, however they could effect it. Either I should appoint a man to manage Havisham’s, or – their alternative wish – I should sell the business. (Did I detect the hand of Snee behind one of the hostile bids?) They all misjudged me gravely.
I defied the brewhouse, which was where all the trouble had begun. They could go hang.
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