- Murdstone: This boy, you should know, Miss Trotwood, has a sullen, rebellious spirit, a violent temper and an intractable disposition.
- Miss Murdstone: Of all the boys in the world, this is the worst boy.
- Betsey Trotwood: Strong, Miss Murdstone.
- Miss Murdstone: But not at all too strong for the situation.
- Betsey Trotwood: Indeed? Well, sir?
- Murdstone: I placed this boy in a respectable business. He ran away from it. The facts, I propose, speak for themselves.
- Betsey Trotwood: About this respectable business, a blacking factory, I believe. If he had been your own boy, you would have put him to it just the same, I suppose.
- Murdstone: I had my own opinion. This is the best way of bringing up this particular boy. I act on them and I say no more about them.
- Betsey Trotwood: I see. What else do you have to say?
- Murdstone: Merely this: I have come to take my stepson back. I will deal with him as I think right and dispose of him as I think proper. If you seek to impede me in any way, if you step between us now, you do so forever.
- Betsey Trotwood: What does the boy say? Are you ready to go, David?
- Young David Copperfield: Please don't make me leave you, Aunt. They made my Mama very unhappy and they never cared for me. I want to stay here with you and Mr. Dick.
- Betsey Trotwood: Mr. Dick, what shall I do with this child?
- Mr. Dick: I'd have him measured for a suit of clothes directly.
- Betsey Trotwood: Mr. Dick, give me your hand.
- [She shakes his hand]
- Betsey Trotwood: For your common sense is invaluable.
- [Takes David in her arms]
- Betsey Trotwood: I'll take my chance with the boy. If he is all you say he is, I can at least do as much for him as you have done. But I don't believe a word of it!
- Murdstone: [Standing up angrily] Miss Trotwood, if you were a gentleman...
- Betsey Trotwood: BAH! Stuff and nonsense! Don't talk to me!
- Miss Murdstone: How exquisitely polite. Overpowering, really.
- Betsey Trotwood: [to Murdstone, ignoring Jane] You think I don't know what kind of life you've led this child's mother? It was a woeful day when you first appeared, smirking, making great eyes at her, so you wouldn't say "Boo!" to a ghost!
- Miss Murdstone: I've never heard anything to elegant.
- Betsey Trotwood: [Still ignoring Jane] And when you'd made quite sure of the poor little thing, you began to train her and break her. Like a caged bird, wearing her life away and teaching her to sing your notes.
- Miss Murdstone: 'Tis either insanity or intoxication.
- Betsey Trotwood: [Still ignoring Jane] You broke her heart, then punished the boy, because of your own guilt! There's the truth for your comfort, and you and your instrument may make the most of it!
- Miss Murdstone: May I inquire whom you are referring to as an instrument?
- Betsey Trotwood: Good day, sir! And Goodbye!
- [Murdstone leaves without a word]
- Betsey Trotwood: [to Jane Murdstone] Let me see you ride a donkey over my green again, and I'll knock your bonnet off. And tread upon it!
- Betsey Trotwood: I don't allow anybody to ride over this turf. I make no exceptions.
- Miss Murdstone: Your regulation is rather awkward to strangers.
- Murdstone: David, if I have an obstenent dog or horse to deal with, what do you think I do? I beat him. I make him wince and smart. I say to myself, "I'll conquer that fellow, and even if it costs him every drop of blood he has, I'll do it."
- [Grasps David firmly]
- Murdstone: Do we understand each other?
- [David nods]
- Murdstone: Good.
- [Strokes David's head]
- Murdstone: Now wash your face and come downstairs directly.
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