Summary Chapter 61




For the time being, in order to finish writing his book, which he had started in Switzerland, David stays at his aunt’s house in Dover.

Occasionally, David goes to London to visit Traddles who has assumed the role of David’s business manager. Indeed, on account of his success as a writer, David receives so many fan mails that Traddles has let David use his address to where the fan mails are redirected. Invariably, when David visits, he sees Sophy diligently at work on something or other. David also notices her quickly hiding a copybook in which she was writing in whenever David approaches.

One day, during one of David’s visits, Traddles enlightens David as to why Sophy is often seen writing in the copybook and why she hides it from scrutiny. She has taken it upon herself to be Traddles’ assistant and means to be an expert amanuensis. She hides the copybook because she is too modest to make her aspiration public. Traddles goes on to praise his wife and her writing hand, which is described as “extraordinarily legal and formal.” (Sophy will make an excellent amanuensis.) Traddles doesn’t stop there. He praises Sophy’s diligence and efficiency in all household matters and tells David of their happiness in living the life they are living despite their relative poverty. Subsequently, David draws Traddles’ attention to one of the letters he has received.

The letter is from Mr. Creakles, David and Traddles’ Salem House schoolmaster, who is now a prison warden. They wonder how Mr. Creakles had attained his new position, and agree there was bribery and/or nepotism involved. Presently, Traddles agrees to accompany David to Mr. Creakles’ prison house where David had been invited and where he would treated to a guided tour.

David writes Mr. Creakles a letter of his and Traddles pending visit, and not long thereafter, David and Traddles go to Mr. Creakles’ prison which is described as state-of-the-art. Indeed, when David and Traddles arrive and are taken on their guided tour, David finds the building and its amenities, on behalf of its prisoners, so impressive that he wonders why such resources aren’t allocated on behalf of schools for the young or on behalf of houses of refuge for the old. Presently, Mr. Creakles and his fellow wardens show the visitors their model prisoners, prisoner numbers 27 and 28, who turn out to be Uriah Heep and Mr. Littimer, respectively. When asked how they are doing, both prisoners sing the praises of the prison to the extent of urging anyone and everyone to be a voluntary inmate if he or she would like his or her soul redeemed from the evils of life.

As the tour concludes, David manages to have a confidential chat with one of the wardens with regard the circumstances of prisoners 27 and 28’s incarcerations. Consequently, David learns that Uriah Heep had been caught trying to cheat the Bank of England, and that Mr. Littimer had been caught trying to flee to America, having stolen a huge sum of money from the gentleman that he had worked for. When the warden tells David that a dwarf had apprehended Mr. Littimer, David surmises that the dwarf was none other than Miss Mowcher. The warden confirms David's guess, and tells David of the extraordinary lengths to which Miss Mowcher went to apprehend Mr. Littimer. (She had grabbed onto him and did not let go despite sustaining heavy injuries.)



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