Summary Chapter 39




On account of David’s prolonged state of dejection, under the pretext of commissioning David to attend to renewal of her tenant’s contract vis-à-vis her Dover cottage, David’s aunt proposes that David go to Dover. (David’s aunt’s previous housemaid Janet, who had previously overlooked the business of the cottage, now works for Doctor Strong.) Though reluctant to lose touch with Miss Mills and thereby with Dora, David consents to his aunt’s proposal and acquires leave from Doctor Strong, after all the trip will give David a chance to visit Agnes. With regards his work at the Doctors’ Commons, things have taken such a turn for the worse since Mr. Spenlow’s death that it’s practically of no consequence whether David takes time off from his duties there.

Thus David arrives at Dover where he finds the tenant vigilant in warding off donkeys on the property’s grass, as per David’s aunt’s instructions. Having extended the tenant’s lease, David spends a night there before going to Canterbury.

The first person David meets at the Wickfields’ residence is Mr. Micawber who now works under Uriah Heep. Needless to say, Mr. Micawber extends David a hearty greeting and invites David to the Micawbers new home which was previously occupied by the Heeps. When asked about his work, Mr. Micawber is reticent, citing the need for confidentiality in his line of work. However, Mr. Micawber isn’t shy about sharing his disappointment with regard his pay which Heep begrudges.

Presently, David meets Agnes to whom David relates his recent hardships. David is especially distressed about his situation vis-à-vis Dora, but Agnes advises him to write to Dora’s aunts. She assures him that if he applies to them in his usual honest and honorable self that they won’t begrudge him a meeting with Dora. David does so, i.e. write the letter, but not before he meets Uriah Heep and Mr. Wickfield. With the latter, David agrees to spend a night at the Wickfield’s residence, which is now also the Heeps’ residence. Indeed, to David ‘s chagrin, Mrs. Heep makes a constant presence of herself, making it impossible for David and Agnes to share confidences.

Throughout the rest of the night, David finds Uriah Heep’s and his mother’s constant presence so irksome that he goes out for a walk. David hasn’t gone far when he is joined by Heep. David informs Heep that he’d rather be alone. Heep insists on accompanying David. By and by, David tells Heep that he—Heep—is the last person deserving of Agnes’s love. When Heep wonders whether David has designs on marrying Agnes, David assures Heep that that isn’t so as David is engaged to another. Subsequently, Heep informs David of how he—Heep—has made humility his life’s guiding principle. David begins to understand of how a lifetime of humility has made Heep a mean, vindictive scoundrel.

After dinner, David, Uriah Heep, and Mr. Wickfield spend some time talking and drinking, and David senses the utter depths to which Mr. Wickfield has sunk on account of Heep who has deviously gotten the upper-hand of Mr. Wickfield. Suddenly, when Heep mentions his wish to marry Agnes, David is forced to restrain Mr. Wickfield who would otherwise physically assault Heep. Mr. Wickfield settles for denouncing Heep’s under-handed deviousness before collapsing in his chair in a fit of sobbing. Agnes enters and attends to her father’s care.

Later that night, David laments to Agnes of his inability to help Agnes and her father; Agnes assures David that things will be all right.

Early next morning, as David is headed back to London, Heep waylays him. Heep informs David that he and Mr. Wickfield have reconciled.



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