My Pleasure Reading. Summary №2

Chapters 9 -16

On his birthday, David learns that his mother and little brother have died. He returns home for the funeral, not knowing that he will not return to Salem House. After the funeral David goes with Peggotty to Yarmouth where Peggotty marries Mr. Barkis. When David returns home Mr. Murdstone tells him that David will go to London, to work in the wine bottling business of which Mr. Murdstone is a part owner. David's job is to refill old bottles and pack them for shipment. David goes to live in the spare room of the Micawber family. Mrs. Micawber tells David that they take him as a lodger because their financial difficulties are overwhelming. After a while, Mr. Micawber is arrested and thrown into the debtors' prison. After Mr. Micawber is released from the prison their family decides to move to Plymouth to look for work.

No one remains to care for David in London, so he decides to run away to Betsey Trotwood, his only relative. He decides to go to Dover to find her, but as he tries to leave London he is robbed of all his money and possessions. After several days of walking, David arrives in Dover, hungry, penniless, dressed in ragged clothes and covered in dust. When he finds his aunt’s house, he discovers that she is sharing it with a man Mr. Dick who has some mental problems and is writing a never-ending manuscript about his connection to King Charles. Betsey takes David in, feeds and bathes him. At breakfast the next morning, Miss Betsy tells David that she has written to his stepfather to say that David is staying with her. She also tells David that she will not be able to make any decision about him until his stepfather writes or visits. After a while the Murdstones arrive. Mr. Murdstone offers to take David back with him, but when Betsey asks David if he wants to go, David begs to be allowed to stay with her. Betsey says that she will take her chance with David, and that she knows Mr. Murdstone is responsible for Clara’s death. She sends the Murdstones away. Moreover, Betsey renames David as Trotwood Copperfield.

David settles in at Miss Betsey's and established a strong friendship with Mr. Dick. It is decided to send David to school in nearby Canterbury. After arriving in town, they go to the office of Miss Betsey's lawyer, Mr. Wickfield, where they decide that David will live at Mr. Wickfield's house while he goes to school. Mr. Wickfield introduces them to his daughter, Agnes, who is the same age as David and takes care of the house for her father. David also meets Mr. Wickfield's employee, Uriah Heep, who makes him feel uneasy.

David goes to his new school for the first time and meets the headmaster, Dr. Strong and his young wife, Annie. Dining at Mr. Wickfield's house, David learns from Agnes that her mother died when Agnes was born. Mr. Wickfield invites David to stay with them permanently, and David agrees. David also has an uncomfortable conversation with Uriah Heep, who admits that he wishes to partner with Mr. Wickfield someday. As for his new school, David finds it excellent and does well, quickly catching up in his studies.