Summary — Chapter XXXIX. Wickfield and Heep
To distract himself from his troubles with Dora, David
goes to check on Miss Betsey’s cottage, which proves to be in excellent
condition. He then goes to Canterbury to visit Agnes and Mr. Wickfield.
At Mr. Wickfield’s, David finds that Uriah Heep and his mother have
taken control. Mr. Micawber has become a tenant at Mr. Wickfield’s house.
David sees Mr. Micawber and speaks with him but feels they have
grown distant from each other. Agnes persuades David to write to
Dora’s aunts to seek permission to visit Dora.
David longs to talk to Agnes in private, but the bothersome
Mrs. Heep never leaves them alone. When David tells Uriah that he
is engaged to someone other than Agnes, Uriah admits that he asked Mrs.
Heep to follow David and Agnes around. Uriah also professes his
love for Agnes and his intention to marry her. He reveals that his father
taught him to be humble and ingratiating in order to succeed in
the world. Uriah observes that, although he is humble, he does have
some power.
Later, when Uriah, Mr. Wickfield, and David are alone
together, Uriah gets Mr. Wickfield drunk, toasts Agnes, and announces
his intention to marry her. Mr. Wickfield becomes hysterical at
this suggestion and tells David how much control Uriah has managed
to establish over him. Uriah warns Mr. Wickfield to keep quiet and
not insult him because he knows Mr. Wickfield’s secret. Eventually, Agnes
comes into the room and drags Mr. Wickfield away.
Before David leaves, he and Agnes have a tender
parting. Uriah informs David that he has apologized to Mr. Wickfield
and that they have made up. Uriah tells David that his sin was bringing
up the subject of his marriage to Agnes too soon, but he assures
David that it will happen.
Summary — Chapter XL. The Wanderer
Late one night, David runs into Mr. Peggotty, who says
that he has been looking for Little Em’ly on the continent. Mr.
Peggotty has come close to finding her a few times and has received
a letter from her. In all, Little Em’ly has sent three letters containing
money to the Peggottys. Mrs. Gummidge has replied to one of the
letters, telling Little Em’ly that her uncle misses her terribly
and will forgive her if she comes back. While Mr. Peggotty tells
David this story, David sees Martha listening at the inn door. Martha
disappears, and Mr. Peggotty goes off to a cheap inn where he can
stay for the night before he sets off again on his journey.
Summary — Chapter XLI. Dora’s Aunts.
Dora’s aunts answer David’s letter and tell
him he is welcome to visit in order to discuss his courtship of
Dora. Thrilled, David goes to see the aunts, bringing Traddles along
to assist him in convincing them. On the way, David asks Traddles
to comb his hair. Traddles says that no amount of combing will make
his hair lay flat—a family trait that leads his beloved Sophy Crewler’s
sisters to make fun of him incessantly.
