GREAT EXPECTATIONS CHAPTER #whatever: Introduction of a new character

Pip had only just returned from his visit to his family in the small town that seemed so alien to him now. Exiting from his coach, he was snatched from the street and pulled into an alleyway. “Don’t make a move, yeh little maggit!” snarled a voice from the shadows. “Where be the nearest pub from ‘ere?” “A-About two blocks to the east, sir…Please don’t hurt me, sir!”. The man hidden in the shadows released Pip, and stumbled off. However, he soon tripped and hit his head on a brick wall. “What a poor soul!” thought Pip.

Although he’d been treated so roughly by the man before, Pip decided to at the very least give him some food and tidy him up, as he seemed much the worse for wear. Since Herbert was out for the day, he was able to transport the man without much difficulty.

As the strange man lay on the couch, unconscious, Pip noticed his ragged appearance fully for the first time. He wore a torn brown overcoat covering an equally worn shirt, and Pip could not tell whether his pants were supposed to be short or long, as tattered as they were. He had a scraggly beard and moustache covering half his face, and he smelled as if he hadn’t bathed in weeks. He was not a handsome man, but Pip could not be sure of that, as he was covered in dirt and the aforementioned beard.

Suddenly, the man sat up, flailing around. “Where’m I? Where have ye taken me, ye little devil?” Pip backed up, surprised. “You’re in my apartment, sir. You hit your head and were out for a spell. I’m Pip; may I ask your name?” “Tis Henry Garside, young man, and I’ve fallen on some hard times.” The man leaned his head to one side and appraised Pip with an expert’s eyes. “You seem like a resourceful young man, Pip. Can I trouble ye to get me a wee drink? Brandy, perhaps?” Pip went off to the cupboard to get Garside a cup of brandy, and when he returned Garside was sitting up on the couch. After taking a swig of the brandy, he looked much refreshed, and gave an odd catlike stretch that Pip had never before seen the like of. “Where are you from, sir?” asked Pip. “Oh, here and there.” replied the man cryptically. “What brought you to London? Why’d you accost me in the street back there?” “I am truly sorry, young sir. I have… acquaintances, of a sort, in London, and I would not wish for them to see me. All I wanted at the time was a cold drink, which you have so kindly provided me with.” Garside did his little stretch again. “Oh, that’s no problem sir. You were in need of help, and I provided it. Where’re you bound? Should you get going?” Pip was getting uncomfortable with this strange man, and was not sure anymore if he wished him to stay in his apartment. The man seemed to sense this, and said, “I apologize, young man. I really will get going. I am, after all, not a man with no purpose in life.” “Well, it was nice to meet you, although briefly, sir.” said Pip, glad to be rid of the strange man so soon. As Garside turned to go and walked to the door, he shot back at Pip; “I’ve left a little something for you. From a mutual friend, per se.”

This cryptic remark left Pip standing there confused. He turned to the couch, and lying where Garside had been sitting, was a worn, old file.