Summary Chapter 19





Having completed his studies at Doctor Strong’s, David looks forward to striking out and making a mark in the world though he isn’t sure at all in what capacity he might be able to do so. Not surprisingly, David and his great-aunt engage in many discussions about his future plans. One day, Miss Betsey suggests that David take a month long holiday to think about what he wants to do while visiting his old nurse Peggotty. David is delighted with the suggestion.

Before leaving for London and Yarmouth, David goes to Canterbury to say his farewells to Mr. Wickfield and Doctor Strong. There, a small gathering is held in David’s honor. Prior to attending the gathering, David shares a private word with Agnes. Agnes is worried sick about her father and asks David if he had noticed her father’s declining health. David replies that he has noticed, prompting Agnes to explain that it’s due to her father’s inability to deal with the increasingly difficult business affairs which Uriah Heep daily foists upon him. Later, David’s fears for Mr. Wickfield is somewhat assuaged by Agnes who embraces her father with a loving devotion.

At the gathering, Doctor Strong mentions his intentions to retire from teaching so as to dedicate the whole of his time to his Dictionary. Then Mrs. Markleham, the Old Soldier, who is present at the gathering, manages to make her concern for her nephew Jack Maldon the principle topic of conversation. She claims that Jack is suffering dreadfully in India, and that he has decided to return to England to convalesce. Consequently, Mr. Wickfield, who feels responsible for Jack Maldon’s career, assures Mrs. Markleham that he will do what he can to remedy the situation.

Presently, when asked if she had received a letter from Jack stating his predicament, Mrs. Markleham refers to Jack’s letters addressed to the Doctor and her daughter Annie the contents of which she has firsthand knowledge of. The Doctor’s letter is produced without much ado, but Annie is reluctant to relinquish hers. Eventually Annie relinquishes her letter, and as she has the letter passed to her mother, David notices that Annie’s hand is shaking.

Otherwise, the gathering passes pleasantly as Annie and Agnes sing duets. They seem to get along very well. Alas, Mr. Wickfield is displeased by her daughter’s friendship with Annie, and David has an inkling of the reason: Mrs. Markleham, Annie, and Jack Maldon seem to be conspiring against Doctor Strong and this suspicion poisons David’s sense of well-being. He is sorry to leave Doctor Strong behind in a situation where he might be the victim of a betrayal.

Nonetheless, the next morning, David embarks on his holiday in high spirits. He tries to act older than his age and to live up to his new elevated status. He ends up conceding his better seat on the coach to a man who deals in horses. Upon arriving in London, David is treated no better at an inn: His room is stuffy and smells of the stables. He is condescended to by the waiter, and when David orders a glass of sherry, David is served a glass that is a mixture of various bottles. Gamely, David drinks his diluted sherry and puts on a good face. Presently, David takes note of a distinguished young man who enters the coffee room. When David gets up to retire for the night, he recognizes the other man in the room: He is none other than Steerforth. The old friends exchange greetings. They agree to share breakfast the next morning, and at Steerforth’s demand, the inn’s management relocates David’s room to one of the establishment’s best.



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