that if ever he encountered Steerforth, he would kill him.

‘My dooty here, sir,’ said Mr. Peggotty, ‘is done. I’m a going to seek my — ’ he stopped, and went on in a firmer voice: ‘I’m a going to seek her.

That’s my dooty evermore.’

He shook his head when I asked him where he would seek her, and inquired if I were going to London tomorrow? I told him I had not gone today, fearing to lose the chance of being of any service to him; but that I was ready to go when he would.

‘I’ll go along with you, sir,’ he rejoined, ‘if you’re agreeable, tomorrow.’

We walked again, for a while, in silence.