JAGGERS. I am here because I have ben asked by an individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, to convey a message to Pip.
PIP. What message?
JAGGERS. The message is that you, Pip, have great expectations. This individual wishes to be your benefactor. You are to be removed from here, and taken to London immediately. There, you will be brought up as a gentleman and will come into a handsome property.
PIP. London!
JOE. What larks, Pip!
JAGGERS. Joseph Gargery, will you object to canceling Pip's apprenticeship?
JOE. No, sir.
JAGGERS. Will you want any money for the boy?
JOE. Money?
JAGGERS. Yes.
JOE. With all due respect, Mr. Jaggers, you don't have enough money to pay what Pip is worth to me.
JAGGERS. That's as may be, but I have a certain amount of money that may be useful to you. Do you want any money in exchange for Mr. Pip?
JOE. No, sir.
JAGGERS. Then the rest of this discussion is none of your business.
(He looks at JOE until JOE moves a little way away.)
JAGGERS. You are to listen carefully, Pip. This opportunity comes with two conditions. First, it is the request of the person from whom I take my instructions that you are always to bear the name of Pip. You have no objection, I dare say.
PIP. No, sir.
JAGGERS. I should think not. Second, you are forbidden to make any inquiry as to the identity of your benefactor. If you have a suspicion then you are to keep it to yourself. The name of your benefactor will remain secret until they reveal it directly to you. Do you accept this second condition?
PIP. Yes, sir.
JAGGERS. Then the matter is settled and we are all agreed. You must come to London as soon as possible. Let us say a week. Before then, you should buy some new clothes and they should not be working clothes. Here are twenty-five guineas. (Hands PIP a purse.) You look amazed, Mr. Gargery.
JOE. I am.
JAGGERS. Are you sure you don't want any money for the boy? This is your last chance.
JOE. Stop badgering me! Stop baiting me in my own forge! Pip is free to do as he wants. I don't own him and I want nothing for him but his happiness, so let me be.
PIP. Joe! Be quiet. (To JAGGERS.) I'm sorry.
JAGGERS (Backing away). The sooner you leave here, Pip, and its unpleasant influence, the better. You will live with a young man called Herbert Pocket who will help educate you. Of course you'll go wrong somehow but that's no fault of mine. I shall send you the address. Good day.
(JAGGERS exits.)
JOE (sad). So you're a gentleman then. Just like you always wanted. Let's go and tell Mrs. Joe then. Her face will be a sight. Then you can go to the dance and tell Biddy all about it.