Summary Chapter 34




David writes Agnes a letter, informing her of his engagement to Dora and of the misfortune that has befallen his friends in Yarmouth with regard Emily’s and Steerforth’s betrayals.

Meanwhile, David’s landlord Mrs. Crupp writes David a letter, complaining about Peggotty whose frequent presence in David’s apartment, where Peggotty helps David keep house, Mrs. Crupp regards as an encroachment upon her—Mrs. Crupp’s—matronly role vis-à-vis David. To that end, Mrs. Crupp plants various obstacles on the stairway with the aim of physically incapacitating Peggotty.

At about this time, as David has been away from home for one reason or another, twice Traddles pays David a visit to no avail. The third time is the charm, however. Immediately, they speak of their respective loves, David of his engagement to Dora and Traddles of his engagement to Sophy. Presently, David learns that Sophy, on account of the mother who has lost the use of her limbs, has taken upon herself to nurse the mother, in addition to her two youngest siblings who are only nine and ten years old.

When David asks Traddles about the Micawbers, he is informed that they are hiding, going to the extent of changing their name to Mortimer on account of creditors. Otherwise, Traddles informs David, the Micawbers are doing fine. Concerned for his friend, David makes Traddles promise to never again take out a loan on the Micawbers’ behalf.

Presently, Traddles tells David the real purpose of his visit. On account of the Micawbers’ debts, which Traddles has undersigned, a creditor has confiscated two of Traddles’ most treasured possessions; namely, a round table with the marble top and Sophy’s flower-pot. Determined to repossess them, Traddles has saved up and is on the verge of repossessing them but for the creditor who won’t sell them to Traddles for reasonable prices. Traddles therefore wonders whether David and Peggotty wouldn’t mind if Peggotty posed as a buyer and bought the round table with the marbel top and Sophy’s flower-pot on behalf of Traddles.

Naturally, Peggotty agrees to pose as the buyer on Traddles’ behalf, and Traddles’ two prized possessions are reclaimed at reasonable prices. When David and Peggotty return to David’s apartment, they notice that Mrs. Crupp’s obstacles on the stairway have been removed. They also notice that they are people occupying David’s apartment. Lo and behold, those people turn out to be David’s aunt Miss Betsey Trotwood, David’s aunt’s constant companion Mr. Dick, and Mrs. Crupp who is attending to Miss Trotwood. By and by, Mrs. Crupp is dismissed, Peggotty is addressed as Barkis, and David is told the meaning of this sudden visit. David’s aunt is financially ruined. Indeed all that Betsey Trotwood has left in this world is the luggage that she has brought with her.



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