In answer I suggested that this might be a thing over which I had no control, and she said no more at that time, but on the following day she said: "Tell me the name again of the blacksmith of yours to whom you were to be apprenticed?" "Joe Gargery, ma'am," "You had better be apprenticed at once. Would Gargery come here with you, and bring your indentures, do you think?" I signified that I thought he would consider it an honour to be asked. "Then let him come!" "At any particular time, Miss Havisham?" "There, there, I know nothing about time. Let him come soon, and come alone with you!" In consequence, two days later, Joe, arrayed in his Sunday clothes, set out with me to visit Miss Havisham, and as he thought his court dress necessary to the occasion, it was not for me to tell him that he looked far better in his working dress. We arrived at Miss Havisham's, and as usual Estella opened the door, and led the way to Miss Havisham's room. She immediately addressed Joe, asking him questions about himself and about having me for apprentice and finally she asked to see my indentures, which Joe produced; I am afraid I was ashamed of the dear good fellow--I know I was when I saw Estella's eyes were laughing mischievously. Miss Havisham then took a little bag from the table and handed it to me. "Pip has earned a premium here," she said, "and here it is. There are five and twenty guineas in the bag. Give it to your Master, Pip." I handed it to Joe, who said a few embarrassed words of gratitude to Miss Havisham. "Good-bye, Pip," she said. "Let them out, Estella." "Am I to come again, Miss Havisham?" I asked. "No--Gargery is your master now. Gargery! One word!" Joe stepped back and she added, "The boy has been a good boy here, and that is his reward. Of course, as an honest man, you will expect no other." Then we went down, and in a moment we were outside of the gate, and it was locked and Estella was gone. When we stood in the daylight alone, Joe backed up against a wall, breathless with amazement, and repeated at intervals, "Astonishing! Pip, I do assure you this is as-ton-ishing!" Then we walked away, back to Mr. Pumblechook's, where we found my sister, and told her the great news of my earnings, and she was as much pleased as was possible for her to be.