Eleven years pass before Pip, the prodigal son, returns to
the forge; during this time he has lived with Herbert and his wife Clara and worked as a
clerk for Clarikker and paid all his debts, while staying in touch somewhat with Joe and
Biddy. However, he is surprised at he approaches the forge to find the graying Joe with
Biddy and two children, one of whom is a little boy that bears a striking resemblance to
himself. Pip is also surprised to learn that the child has been named Pip in his
honor. As Pip takes a stool beside the boy, careful not to rumple his hair as he had
loathed this action as a child himself, Joe tells
him,
“We giv'
him the name of Pip for your sake, dear old chap, ... and we hoped he might grow a
little bit like you, and we think he
do.”
Certainly, Pip
is touched by Joe's last remark since he has been so arrogant and inconsiderate of Joe
in the past. But, it is typical of Joe's forgiving heart and charity that he would name
his own son after the little boy of whom he was so very fond and misses so
much.
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