? ? ? ? My aunt, on the other hand, was in a composed frame of mind, which was a lesson to all of us - to me, I am sure. She was extremely gracious to Peggotty, except when I inadvertently called her by that name; and, strange as I knew she felt in London, appeared quite at home. She was to have my bed, and I was to lie in the sitting-room, to keep guard over her. She made a great point of being so near the river, in case of a conflagration; and I suppose really did find some satisfaction in that circumstance.
? ? ? ? 'Trot, my dear,' said my aunt, when she saw me making preparations for compounding her usual night-draught, 'No!'
? ? ? ? 'Nothing, aunt?'
? ? ? ? 'Not wine, my dear. Ale.'
? ? ? ? 'But there is wine here, aunt. And you always have it made of wine.'
? ? ? ? 'Keep that, in case of sickness,' said my aunt. 'We mustn't use it carelessly, Trot. Ale for me. Half a pint.'
? ? ? ? I thought Mr. Dick would have fallen, insensible. My aunt being resolute, I went out and got the ale myself. As it was growing late, Peggotty and Mr. Dick took that opportunity of repairing to the chandler's shop together. I parted from him, poor fellow, at the corner of the street, with his great kite at his back, a very monument of human misery.
? ? ? ? My aunt was walking up and down the room when I returned, crimping the borders of her nightcap with her fingers.
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