“It’s a terrible thing, Joe; it ain’t true…it’s lies, Joe.”
– Charles Dickens
Great Expectations, Chapter 9. Pip admits to lying to Joe, his sister and Uncle Pumblechook about his visit to Miss Havisham’s. They believe sensational lies that he tells about Miss Havisham sitting in a velvet coach, the company being served cake and wine on gold plates, four giant dogs fighting for veal cutlets out of a silver basket, and everyone waving flags and swords for entertainment. Pip feels guilty about deceiving Joe with his fabrications and privately confesses to him that it was all a lie.