Great Expectations
Great Expectations
by Charles Dickens

Great Expectations Chapter Thirty-Seven Summary

  • The following Sunday afternoon, Pip decides to visit Wemmick’s castle. When he arrives, the Aged greets him and tells him that Wemmick is out. He lowers the drawbridge.
  • The Aged and Pip enjoy each other’s company in the meantime, and Pip makes the Aged laugh really hard by saying something that was not that funny. A lot of nodding happens.
  • Then a little wooden flap in the living room goes flying. The name "John" is written on the flap, and the Aged proclaims that his son is home.
  • Pip meets Wemmick, who salutes at him – which is funny because (though the drawbridge is drawn) the moat is small enough for Pip to reach across and shake Wemmick’s hand.
  • Wemmick has a lady friend with him, Miss Skiffins. She’s wearing orange and green and has dainty gloves. She’s a bit of a square.
  • Wemmick and Pip go for a walk around the castle and Pip asks Wemmick for advice as to how best to finance Herbert’s career without him ever knowing.
  • Wemmick offers that there is a shipping merchant in town named Clarriker who is looking to expand his company. Pip thinks this is a great idea, and Wemmick tells him he will look into it.
  • The four have delicious tea and Miss Skiffins brews up a steamy pot of something that makes everyone really sweaty. The pig in the back of the house is jealous of the little party.
  • As they sit around the fire, the Aged reads to the group, and Pip watches Wemmick try to sneak his arm around Miss Skiffins’ waist, but she won’t have it at all. Wemmick attempts this several times, but Pip pretends not to notice
  • Miss Skiffins is wearing a brooch that Pip supposes was given to her by Wemmick.
  • After chatting and napping all day, the four drink some hot drinks, and Pip notices that Wemmick and Miss Skiffins are sharing the same glass.
  • Pip goes home after a cozy night at Wemmick’s, hopeful that his "expectations" might do some good after all.
  • Narrator Pip tells us that one of the turning points of his life was about to take place, but that he has to first devote a chapter to Estella and to his relationship with that cold lady.

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