Biddy said never a single word.

     "Biddy, don't you hear me?"

     "Yes, Mr. Pip."

     "Not to mention your calling me Mr. Pip,--which appears to me to be in bad taste, Biddy,--what do you mean?"

     "What do I mean?" asked Biddy, timidly.

     "Biddy," said I, in a virtuously self-asserting manner, "I must request to know what you mean by this?"

     "By this?" said Biddy.

     "Now, don't echo," I retorted. "You used not to echo, Biddy."

     "Used not!" said Biddy. "O Mr. Pip! Used!"

     Well! I rather thought I would give up that point too. After another silent turn in the garden, I fell back on the main position.

     "Biddy," said I, "I made a remark respecting my coming down here often, to see Joe, which you received with a marked silence. Have the goodness, Biddy, to tell me why."