DAVID COPPERFIELD. 299
"Would you like to be taught Latin?" I said, briskly. "I will teach it you with pleasure, as I learn it."
" Oh, thank you, Master Copperfield," he answered, shaking his head. "I am sure it's very kind of you to make the offer, but I am much too humble to accept it."
" What nonsense, Uriah !"
"Oh, indeed you must excuse me. Master Copperfield! I am greatly obliged, and I should like it of all things, I assure you; but I am far too humble. There are people enough to tread upon me in my lowly state, without my doing outrage to their feelings by possessing learning. Learning ain't for me. A person like myself had better not aspire. If he is to get on in life, he must get on humbly. Master Copperfield."
I never saw his mouth so wide, or the creases in his cheeks so deep, as when he delivered himself of these sentiments; shaking his head all the time, and writhing modestly.
"I think you are wrong, Uriah," I said. "I dare say there are several things that I could teach you, if you would like to learn them."
" Oh, I don't doubt that. Master Copperfield," he answered; "not in the least. But not being humble yourself, you don't judge well, perhaps, for them that are. I won't provoke my betters with knowledge, thank you. I'm much too humble. Here is my humble dwelling, Master Copperfield!"
We entered a low, old-fashioned room, walked straight into from the street, and found there, Mrs. Heap, who was the dead image of Uriah, only short. She received me with the utmost humility, and apologized to me for giving her son a kiss, observing that, lowly as they were, they had their natural affections, which they hoped would give no offence to any one. It was a perfectly decent room, half parlor and half kitchen, but not at all a snug room. The tea things were set upon the table, and the kettle was boiling on the hob. There was a chest of drawers with an escritoire top, for Uriah to read or write at of an evening; there was Uriah's blue bag lying down and vomiting papers; there was a company of Uriah's books, commanded by Mr. Tidd; there was a corner cupboard; and there were the usual articles of furniture. I don't remember that any in-
