David Copperfield Chapter 34 Summary

My Aunt Astonishes Me

• David writes to Agnes telling her all about his love for Dora.
• He also tells her about little Emily's flight from Yarmouth, though he doesn't explicitly mention Steerforth's name.
• While David had been away with the Spenlows, Tommy Traddles had dropped by a couple times.
• Each time, he found Peggotty at David's house.
• Tommy Traddles and Peggotty have become friends.
• While Peggotty is staying with David, Mrs. Crupp refuses to do any of the housework because she can't stand Peggotty.
• Traddles comes by once more and greets David warmly.
• David's old friend has heard of David's engagement, and reminds David of Traddles's own fiancée, the curate's daughter who is one of ten children.
• David sympathizes with Traddles because he gets to see his fiancée so rarely.
• Traddles's fiancée – Sophy – spends all of her time looking after the other nine children because her mother has become bedridden.
• David is impressed by the great care that Sophy takes of her family.
• He asks how Mr. Micawber is doing, but Traddles is no longer living with the man.
• Mr. Micawber has changed his name to Mortimer (which is kind of dodgy).
• Traddles has also found a number of his household possessions, including the furniture he bought for his new house with Sophy, at the pawn shop.
• Traddles wants to ask Peggotty to go in and negotiate the price for these items, since he's worried that the pawnshop owner is cheating him.
• David is sure that Peggotty will be happy to help, as long as Traddles promises never to sign a loan with Mr. Micawber again.
• Traddles confesses that he has already done so, but he's sure that Mr. Micawber will come through this time.
• David doesn't want to lower Traddles's spirits, so he doesn't criticize.
• Together, David, Traddles, and Peggotty go to the pawnshop.
• David and Traddles wait around the corner while Peggotty buys back Traddles's things.
• Traddles is overjoyed.
• As they get back to David's apartment, they are absolutely surprised to find his front door open: Miss Betsey and Mr. Dick are waiting inside.
• David hugs Miss Betsey and shakes Mr. Dick's hand.
• David's aunt greets Peggotty, who is looking very shy.
• Miss Betsey refuses to call Peggotty by "Peggotty," since it sounds ugly: she prefers Barkis.
• David's aunt asks David for a cup of tea, and sends Mrs. Crupp out of the room.
• Mrs. Crupp is trying to suck up to Miss Betsey because she knows Miss Betsey has money.
• David notices that Miss Betsey is looking rather uncertainly at him, and he's worried that she's somehow heard of his engagement and doesn't approve.
• Miss Betsey asks if David has learned to be self-reliant and firm.
• David replies that he thinks he has.
• Miss Betsey answers that the luggage that she has brought with her is all that she has left in the world: Miss Betsey is ruined.
• David is absolutely shocked.
• Miss Betsey informs him that she still has her cottage, which she has asked Janet to rent out for her.
• David's aunt wants to stay at David's just for tonight, and then they'll think of something in morning.
• Miss Betsey suddenly hugs David and cries that she only worries for his sake.
• Soon, she collects herself and calms down: Miss Betsey resolves not to be frightened.