I heard that one boy,

　　But the greatest wonder that I heard of Mr. Creakle was, there being one boy  in the school  on whom  he never  ventured to  lay a  hand, and  that boy  being J. Steerforth.  Steerforth himself confirmed this when it was stated, and said that he should like to begin to see him do it.  On being asked by a mild boy (not me) how he would proceed if  he did begin to see  him do it, he dipped  a match into his phosphorus-box on purpose to shed a glare over his reply, and said he  would commence by knocking him  down with a  blow on the  forehead from the  seven-and sixpenny ink-bottle that was always on the mantelpiece.  We sat in the dark  for some time, breathless.

　　I heard that Mr.  Sharp and Mr. Mell  were both supposed to  be wretchedly paid; and that when there was hot and cold meat for dinner at Mr. Creakle's table, Mr. Sharp was always expected to say he preferred cold; which was again corroborated by J. Steerforth, the only parlour-boarder.  I heard that Mr. Sharp's wig didn't fit him; and that he needn't be so 'bounceable' - somebody else said 'bumptious' - about it, because his own red hair was very plainly to be seen behind.

　　I heard that one boy, who was  a coal-merchant's son, came as a set-off  against the coal-bill, and was  called, on that account,  'Exchange or Barter' -  a name selected from the arithmetic book as expressing this arrangement.  I heard  that the table beer was a robbery of parents, and the pudding an imposition.  I heard that Miss Creakle was  regarded by the school  in general as being  in love with Steerforth; and I am sure, as I sat in the dark, thinking of his nice voice, and his fine  face, and  his easy  manner, and  his curling  hair, I thought it very likely.  I  heard that  Mr. Mell  was not  a bad  sort of  fellow, but  hadn't a sixpence to bless himself with; and that there was no doubt that old Mrs.  Mell, his mother, was as poor  as job.  I thought of  my breakfast then, and what  had sounded like 'My Charley!' but I was, I am glad to remember, as mute as a  mouse about it.

　　The hearing of all this, and a good deal more, outlasted the banquet some  time. The  greater part  of the  guests had  gone to  bed as  soon as  the eating  and drinking were  over; and  we, who  had remained  whispering and  listening  half undressed, at last betook ourselves to bed, too.

　　'Good night,  young Copperfield,'  said Steerforth.   'I'll take  care of  you.' 'You're very kind,' I gratefully returned.  'I am very much obliged to you.'

　　'You haven't got a sister, have you?' said Steerforth, yawning.