Summary — Chapter XXIII. I corroborate Mr. Dick, and
choose a Profession
David determines not to tell Steerforth about Little Em’ly’s
outburst the night before because he loves Little Em’ly and believes
that she did not mean to reveal to him so much about herself. David
also tells Steerforth, as they are on their way home by coach, about
a letter he has received from Miss Betsey suggesting that he become
a proctor (a kind of attorney). Steerforth thinks that the profession
of proctor would suit David well, and David agrees.
When David arrives in London, he meets up with Miss Betsey, who
has traveled to London to see him. She is very concerned that Mr.
Dick, whom she has left behind at home, will not be able to keep the
donkeys off her yard. Miss Betsey and David eventually resolve that
David will become a proctor, despite his protestations that it is expensive
to do so. On their way to establish David at the Doctors’ Commons
(the place where the proctors hold court and offices), a man who
looks like a beggar approaches them, and Miss Betsey jumps into
a cab with him. When she returns, David notices that she has given
the man most of her money. David is very disturbed, but Miss Betsey
makes him swear never to mention the event again. They go to the
offices of Spenlow and Jorkins, where Mr. Spenlow agrees to engage
David as a clerk. Afterward, they find lodgings for David with Mrs.
Crupp, an old landlady who promises to take care of David as though
he were her own son.
Summary — Chapter XXIV. My first Dissipation
Although David is thrilled with his new accommodations,
he gets lonely at night, and Steerforth is away at Oxford with his
friends. David goes to Steerforth’s home and visits Mrs. Steerforth
and Miss Dartle, who talk glowingly about Steerforth all day. Finally,
Steerforth returns. He and David plan to have a dinner party in
David’s rooms with two of Steerforth’s friends. David goes overboard
in preparing for the party and then drinks himself into illness.
While very drunk, he goes with Steerforth and company to the theater, where
he runs into Agnes, who makes him go home. The next day he is hungover
and humiliated.
Summary — Chapter XXV. Good and bad Angels
Agnes sends for David, and he goes to visit her where
she is staying in London. She warns him that Steerforth is his “bad
Angel,” that he should avoid Steerforth and be cautious of Steerforth’s
influence. David disagrees, but the idea rankles him and disturbs
his image of Steerforth. Agnes also delivers the bad news that Uriah
Heep has insinuated himself into a partnership with her father,
Mr. Wickfield. Both she and David are very distressed over this
occurrence.
At a dinner party at the home where Agnes is
staying, David runs into Tommy Traddles, his friend from Salem House,
and Uriah Heep. Uriah attaches himself to David and accompanies him
home. In an unpleasant conversation, Uriah reveals to David his
intention to marry Agnes. Uriah insists on sleeping the night on
the floor in front of David’s fire. David gets no sleep with Uriah’s
evil presence in his apartment.
Summary — Chapter XXVI. I fall into Captivity
Mr. Spenlow, David’s supervisor at the Doctors’ Commons,
invites David to his home for the weekend. There, David meets Dora,
Mr. Spenlow’s daughter, and falls in love with her. David also runs
into Miss Murdstone, whom Mr. Spenlow has retained as a companion for
his daughter ever since her mother died. Miss Murdstone pulls David
aside and suggests they forget their difficult past relationship
with each other. David agrees. One morning, he meets Dora out in
the garden, where she is walking with her little dog. They have
a conversation that cements David’s romantic obsession with her.
When David returns home, Mrs. Crupp immediately suspects that he
has fallen in love. She tells him to cheer up and go out and think
of other things.
