Summary Chapter 7




School begins, and this means that, with the exception of Steerforth, every boy is caned and beaten by Mr. Creakle, with no one becoming the wiser. Of all the boys, Tommy Traddles, whose code of honor is never to be a tattle-tale, is caned and beaten more than anyone else. Indeed, he gets beaten one day when he is suspected of having laughed in church when the culprit was Steerforth. To cope with his misfortune, Traddles draws skeletons whenever he gets the chance.

One day, while at play, David mentions to Steerforth that one of the boys reminds him of Peregrine Pickle. Subsequently, upon discovering that David had read a great deal of books, Steerforth proposes that David recount those books for his—Steerforth’s—sake during those moments, early in the evenings and early in the mornings, when Steerforth is awake while everyone else is asleep. It’s an inconvenience for David, but loath to disappoint Steerforth, for whom David’s admiration grows by the day, David narrates those books, in his own words, for Steerforth’s sake.

One Saturday, the boys are especially boisterous on account of it being a half day and on account of Mr. Creakle not attending to the lessons in person. He has put Mr. Mell in charge. (Mr. Sharp has gone into town to have his wig curled.) David, who is fond of Mr. Mell, laments the fact that Steerforth goes out of his way to torment Mr. Mell by having the boys be especially boisterous whenever Mr. Mell is put in charge. On this day, however, Mr. Mell, who is meek and mild tempered, fights back. He chides Steerforth for giving him—Mr. Mell—a hard time when Mr. Mell has only been fair and even handed with Steerforth. Steerforth retorts by accusing Mr. Mell of pretending to be a gentleman when he is really a beggar.

Presently, Mr. Creakle, accompanied by Mrs. and Miss Creakle, appears on the scene, demanding to know what’s going on. As usual, Tungay is besides Mr. Creakle, repeating all that Mr. Creakle says what with Mr. Creakle’s inveterate habit of whispering. Mr. Mell becomes unsettled at Mr. Creakle’s presence, but Steerforth proceeds to tell his side of the story, of how Mr. Mell dared to degrade him—Steerforth—when Mr. Mell is a beggar by all accounts. When Steerforth substantiates his claim by mentioning Mr. Mell’s mother’s present lodgings at an almshouse and when Mr. Mell doesn’t deny this, Mr. Creakle, citing the importance of maintaining the reputation of Salem House, summarily fires Mr. Mell. Later, the honorable Traddles accuses Steerforth of ill-treating Mr. Mell. Steerforth brushes the accusation aside, assuring Traddles that he—Steerforth—plans to have his mother, who is a rich widow and who will do anything her son asks, anonymously provide for the indigent Mells.

One afternoon, out of the blue, David is informed that he has visitors. At Mr. Creakle’s behest, David changes his clothes and repairs to the dining room. The thought of it being his mother brings tears to David’s eyes when he beholds Mr. Peggotty and Ham. They inform David that Peggotty had urged them to look in on David if their business ever brought them to Gravesend. Commenting on how David has grown, they inform David that Emily is practically a woman now. They hand David a supply of seafood. Presently, David espies Steerforth. David beckons Steerforth and then introduces him to Mr. Peggotty and Ham. David urges Mr. Peggotty and Ham to tell Peggotty of Steerforth’s kindness and generosity. Mr. Peggotty invites Steerforth to visit his boat house in Yarmouth.

Later that night, the boys make a hearty meal of the supply of seafood. The rest of the school term passes uneventfully. And before David knows it, he is a passenger on the Yarmouth mail, on his way home.



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