The Pickwick Club discussion
Martin Chuzzlewit
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Chuzzlewit, Chapters 04 - 05
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It is clear, at least to me, that Dickens's praise of Pecksniff is intended to be sarcastic -- when he says, for example, "Mr Pecksniff was a moral man—a grave man, a man of noble sentiments and speech,"or "He was a most exemplary man." We are to think exactly the opposite.But I choose to take Dickens's praise as truth, not falsity. I take Tom Pinch for my witness. Pinch is all praise for Pecksniff, calls him one of the best fellows in the world, and surely, having lived in close contact with Pecksniff for many years, Pinch's observation and opinion is more to be valued than that of Dickens, who is, after all, only a reporter.
Dickens has offers John Westlock as a witness on his side, to claim that he was taught nothing during his years with Pecksniff, but it's obvious that he was a ne'er-do-well, since no student who applied himself seriously to his lessons could make such a statement. Westlock was probably more interested in ogling the Misses Pecksniff than in buckling down to his work. And the weakness of his character is clearly shown in his attempts to corrupt Pinch's good opinion of his employer. No decent or respectable man ever does such a thing. So we can clearly dismiss Westlock's opinion, and can admire how Pecksniff could forgive even such a creature as that.
All in all, Pecksniff is clearly seen to be moral, noble, intelligent, hard-working, and very much entitled to the love and respect of his daughters and his assistant. Dickens's view of him is simply wrong.
The good Pecksniff, as Everyman and Dickens would have it (for who am I to question their opinions, at present?) on his errand of mercy to check on his elderly relative, M. Chuzzlewit, encounters his non-relative Mr Tigg with an unmerciful blow to the head. The latter has been on a similar errand and we learn that he is the 'representative' of Chevy Slyme Esquire. He informs Pecksniff that Slyme "is always waiting round the corner. He is perpetually round the corner, sir. He is round the corner at this instant." Tigg proceeds to highlight the priority of relationship with M. C. that Pecksniff enjoys as the esteemed man's cousin while 'they' are mere nephews. With this admission we are entering the realms of the absurd. Increasingly relatives of the ailing man descend as vultures on the Dragon: the Spottletoes (Mr Spottletoe whose hair in falling off his head had 'fastened itself irrevocably to his face.'), the imminent arrival of Anthony Chuzzlewit and his son Jonas, the two Miss Pecksniffs of whom Mercy's innocence conjurs up robin-redbreasts and the children in the wood (reminiscent of a sweet singing angel straight out of a Disney movie) and others.
They adjourn to Pecksniff's best parlour and the jolly family arguments begin in earnest. Pecksniff becomes fair game, poor soul, and the strong minded widow of M.C.'s brother with her three spinster daughters is most outrageously set upon as being a usurper, having only entered the sacred fold by marriage.
I love the interchange that ensues when Pecksniff confesses his unease at the young girl accompanying M.C. in his boudoir. Pecksniff struggles for the word to describe her effect on M.C. and is proffered the word 'swans' and 'oysters', to which he admits 'by no means unlike oysters; ... Wait! Sirens. Dear me! sirens, of course." So the happy party continues until word of M. C.'s departure reaches them. Pecksniff becomes the scapegoat, one and all determining that he knew all along.
Ch 5 I shall keep this brief. Mr Pinch picks up Pecksniff's new pupil
Well, not quite so short! (All the 'P's in that sentence practically provide us with a tongue twister.) Young Mark, (not the new pupil!) has his own unique take on life. "Any man may be in good spirits and good temper when he's well-dressed. There an't much credit in that. If I was very ragged and very jolly, then I should begin to feel I had gained a point, Mr Pinch." On the subject of marriage he philosophises: "There might be some credit in being jolly with a wife, 'specially if the children had the measles and that, and was very fractious indeed." (This reminds me of an acquaintance of ours many years back. On asking him how things were, he said: "Well ye see, me family's niver done persecution' me cos of me Christian faith." Before we could sympathise with him on his disastrous life he uttered gaily: "That's the joy of it."). Mark jumps off at the out-of-the-way spot where he hopes to have many opportunities topractise his philosophy of life.
Pinch's next travelling companion is one Martin Chuzzlewit whose grandfather is a cousin of old Martin who has taken flight. Pinch and the young man become fast friends to the extent that Tom Pinch divulges his experience of the young girl coming to listen to his organ playing in the church. (I have indeed my suspicions as to who she is. She is not, I would wager, one of the three spinster daughters of the strong minded woman.)
Young Martin is to be Pecksniff's pupil in architecture and not Mark whom I stupidly chose for that position earlier! Martin's arrival did not disappoint and created quite a stir among the Miss Pecksniffs.
I'm looking forward to next month's instalment!
I think the strong minded woman is priceless: "almost supernaturally disagreeable, and having a dreary face and a bony figure and a masculine voice, was, in right of these qualities, what is commonly called a strong-minded woman." I have a lot of sympathy for her, for I share some of those qualities. Not the masculine voice perhaps. I also love the fact that her daughters' tight lacing was expressed in their very noses. Delicious.I also have my suspicions about the idebtity of the attractive young woman with a love of the organ (so to speak), and, like Hilary, do not have those three spinster daughters in mind. Nor the Misses Pecksniff either for that matter.
Mark's attitude must be a satire on one of the many religious orthodoxies of the time. Cheerfulness in Adversity was, no doubt, a Virtue To Be Admired and Striven For. Poor Mark, whose mettle is not tested, I daresay he'll even make a jolly gravedigger.
Dickens hasn't given much specific information as to the nature of Pecksniff's villainy, why he provokes such an extreme reaction. Dickens flattening him in Chapter 2 sets the tone that the novel will glory in many instances of bringing him down. Pinch adores him and Pinch is not presented as a boob without perception and that complicates our own perception of Pecksniff, at least up to now.The family conference abounds in examples of Dickens' incredible talent for quick, comical portraiture. The gathering reminded me of some of my own family gatherings that were quickly broken up by religious or political differences, rather than money (only because there is no money to be had).
Chapter 5 is the most delightful one so far for me. A day spent in the company of the unassuming Tom Pinch, so poignant in its quiet tenderness. The humorous encounter with Mark has been noted, but I also enjoyed his leisurely window shopping through town, especially outside the children's bookshop with its copies of Robinson Crusoe and Arabian Nights on display...
"Which matchless wonders, coming fast on Mr Pinch's mind, did so rub up and chafe that wonderful lamp within him, that when he turned his face towards the busy street, a crowd of phantoms waited on his pleasure, and he lived again, with new delight, the happy days before the Pecksniff era."
Roger wrote: "Dickens hasn't given much specific information as to the nature of Pecksniff's villainy, why he provokes such an extreme reaction. Dickens flattening him in Chapter 2 sets the tone that the novel w..."Nice post. I agree with you about the pleasure of a day spent with Tom Pinch, and love the quotation you included.
Roger wrote: "Dickens hasn't given much specific information as to the nature of Pecksniff's villainy, why he provokes such an extreme reaction. Dickens flattening him in Chapter 2 sets the tone that the novel w..."Yes, the description of the bookshop is definitely able to vibrate one or even two strings in my own heart. I think I have read somewhere that Dickens himself was an avid reader of "The Arabian Nights", which he refers to here.
As to the nature of Pecksniff's villainy, it is said by the narrator, and later stated by John Westlock, that Pecksniff lures young would-be architects into his house, pinching their money from them and then not teaching them anything. At least, he is guilty of that. Apart from that he seems to be very interested in keeping the other family members away from old Martin Chuzzlewit, and to win the old man's favour. Furthermore, it is Pecksniff's sanctimonious behaviour that should make us be careful of him.
As to Pinch being naive, foolish and gullible or not ... what makes you think that he is not rather inclined to assume that his fellow-men are all, all honourable men instead of regarding them with more distrust. I could be veeeeeeeeeeeeery cynical now and say that the fact that he seems to be so popular with everyone in the village might be seen as strong evidence of his being a boob without perfection - but, of course, I will never say such a nasty thing.
Tristram wrote: "As to the nature of Pecksniff's villainy, it is said by the narrator, and later stated by John Westlock, that Pecksniff lures young would-be architects into his house, pinching their money from them and then not teaching them anything. At least, he is guilty of that. "Whatever happened to innocent until proved guilty? The narrator is clearly biased, and John Westlock just frittered away his years there that isn't Pecksniff's fault -- you can lead a man to education, but you cannot make him learn.
Tom Pinch wouldn't stay with a man who was as you accuse Pecksniff. And Mrs. Lupin would not rely on Pecksniff to aid her if he were a villain. In suggesting that these two honorable people would think so highly of a terrible person, you slander them and their good names.
Totally, Everyman. I was of the 'hang 'em high' train of thought, but you have caused me to think, nay indeed to acquiesce. Thank you. How easily one might be swayed.
I will not swerve at all in my opinion on Pecksniff - nay, sir! Quite on the contrary, one might say that Mrs. Lupin's good opinion of Pecksniff and Tom's readiness to take up arms in his defence redound to their own honour rather than to Pecksniff's because it shows that, being good and honest themselves, these two people, in their naivety, can hardly imagine that behind his façade of respectability Mr. Pecksniff is a most calculating and scheming man.Furthermore, Lupin and Pinch's unshaken belief in Pecksniff is clear evidence of how skilful the calculating and scheming Pecksniff is at deceiving others. Only a perfect hypocrite could deceive somebody who - as Everyman and others said - is not a fool at all. So especially Tom's good opinion of Pecksniff shows what an inveterate impostor Pecksniff is!
·Karen· wrote: "I think the strong minded woman is priceless: "almost supernaturally disagreeable, and having a dreary face and a bony figure and a masculine voice, was, in right of these qualities, what is common..."The strong-minded woman is surely quite a character, but especially in her interaction with George Chuzzlewit she becomes a most memorable one. Consider this little gem:
"'If Mr George Chuzzlewit has anything to say to ME,' interposed the strong-minded woman, sternly, 'I beg him to speak out like a man; and not to look at me and my daughters as if he could eat us.'
'As to looking, I have heard it said, Mrs Ned,' returned Mr George, angrily, 'that a cat is free to contemplate a monarch; and therefore I hope I have some right, having been born a member of this family, to look at a person who only came into it by marriage. As to eating, I beg to say, whatever bitterness your jealousies and disappointed expectations may suggest to you, that I am not a cannibal, ma'am.'
'I don't know that!' cried the strong-minded woman.
'At all events, if I was a cannibal,' said Mr George Chuzzlewit, greatly stimulated by this retort, 'I think it would occur to me that a lady who had outlived three husbands, and suffered so very little from their loss, must be most uncommonly tough.'"
Aaaah, those family reunions!
Hilary wrote: "The good Pecksniff, as Everyman and Dickens would have it (for who am I to question their opinions, at present?) on his errand of mercy to check on his elderly relative, M. Chuzzlewit, encounters h..."Hi Hilary,
you mentioned the coming together of Pecksniff and Montague Tigg, Esq. by means of their banging their heads together. Not only does this little scene suggest that Pecksniff is not so moral and noble as to scorn peeping through keyholes but it might also indicate that in their heads there is a kind of kinship between Pecksniff and Tigg.
Consider what Tigg says of Mr. Slyme - beside his reference to that gentleman's usually being round the corner:
"'I understand your mistake, and I am not offended. Why? Because it's complimentary. You suppose I would set myself up for Chevy Slyme. Sir, if there is a man on earth whom a gentleman would feel proud and honoured to be mistaken for, that man is my friend Slyme. For he is, without an exception, the highest-minded, the most independent-spirited, most original, spiritual, classical, talented, the most thoroughly Shakspearian, if not Miltonic, and at the same time the most disgustingly-unappreciated dog I know. But, sir, I have not the vanity to attempt to pass for Slyme. Any other man in the wide world, I am equal to; but Slyme is, I frankly confess, a great many cuts above me. Therefore you are wrong.'"
Why is this passage so telling? I think that it shows that Tigg is just as much of a hypocrite as Pecksniff; only where Pecksniff feigns an attachment to high moral principles and untiring benevolence, Tigg feigns unlimited admiration for his companion, who is probably, at that moment, just a useful instrument for him to somehow get access to a portion of the Chuzzlewit fortune. It soon becomes quite obvious that Tigg is the brain and driving force in the Slyme-Tigg duo, and that, for instance, Chevy Slyme's habit of waiting around the corner results from Tigg's sending him there so that he might be able to do business as he deems it fit. Also the mixture of shabbiness and genteelness in Tigg's outward appearance hints at the fact that there is a lot of Pecksniffery in Tigg - because Pecksniff lays claim to being a dignified and noble character, and yet the wind and keyholes expose him to the basest form of ridicule.
Tigg praises Chevy Slyme for very calculating reasons, whereas Pecksniff knows that he has a naive adulator in Tom Pinch - a circumstance he exploits by sending Tom to see the new pupil home.
Hilary wrote: "the Spottletoes (Mr Spottletoe whose hair in falling off his head had 'fastened itself irrevocably to his face.'"You've picked out my favourite line from these chapters. Man, did I laugh! LOL.
Everyman wrote: "It is clear, at least to me, that Dickens's praise of Pecksniff is intended to be sarcastic -- when he says, for example, "Mr Pecksniff was a moral man—a grave man, a man of noble sentiments and sp..."I agree Everyman. Sarcasm all the way, when it comes Dickens's idea of Pecksniff. Although, it's interesting how the most decent person of the novel so far, Tom Pinch, sees Pecksniff as a near saint. It makes me feel all the more sorry for Pinch, rather than see Pecksniff in a kinder light.
I think the name Pecksniff suits Seth and his daughters perfectly. I can imagine them walking around, noses in the air, giving a disdainful sniff at everyone who is below them (but of course, in private, since Seth is too busy 'acting' his charitable self in public).
Tristram wrote: "I will not swerve at all in my opinion on Pecksniff - nay, sir! Quite on the contrary, one might say that Mrs. Lupin's good opinion of Pecksniff and Tom's readiness to take up arms in his defence r..."I agree. I can't be swayed either. Pecksniff is calculating and scheming, no doubt to the end. He's obviously had a lot of practice at it. The only person who has stayed with him (apart from his daughters) is Tom. He and Mrs Lupin are extremely gullible characters.
I found it amusing that Pecksniff was likened, in character, to his own horse. Not very flattering, but yet, another dig by the narrator at Pecksniff whilst further emphasising Dickens's dislike for duplicitous characters.
I don't mean to defend Pecksniff, I'm guessing there are dastardly deeds to come from his direction, but from an artistic point of view I think Dickens may be accused of piling on, having an axe to grind, never missing an opportunity to disparage him as in the case of the humorous comparison to his horse. Part of the problem is that these early chapters are top heavy with Pecksniff as if he is the main character of the novel. I've not read it before, maybe he is.
Haha Kate. Glad that you liked that description too. Dickens has a seemingly inexhaustible ability to litter his writing with such delectable turns of phrase that it is well nigh impossible to choose among them. I could sit from now until Kingdom-come and not manage even a quarter of one of such descriptions. Too funny!
Karen and Tristram, I love your choice of quotations on the strong-minded woman; tough to eat indeed! Wonderful!
Thank you Roger, Tristram and Everyman for bringing to my attention Pinch's stroll around the town and his staring through the bookshop window. I confess, I always struggle with purely descriptive writing and long for it to be over; preferring witty description and dialogue. When I read your quotation, Roger, I realised what I was missing.
Ah yes indeed, Tristram. There's the rub: do we discreetly draw a veil over Mr Pecksniff's attempt at peering through the keyhole and see it as a genuinely charitable act: to check on his ailing relative without the wish to disturb him or do we adopt Dickens's stance which is to take him at face value: a conniving snoop?Either way I love the new word you have invented: 'Pecksniffery'. This ought certainly to have an entry in the OED.
This dern phone - it keeps posting prematurely!! I need my laptop back! What I was going to say Tristram, while not entirely conceding ground on your summing up of Pecksniff :O, I do think that pecksniffery, from its sound alone (the word for that evades me!) could reasonably refer to devious deeds of daring do, only. I shall add this to my vocabulary. Thank you.
Tristram wrote: "I will not swerve at all in my opinion on Pecksniff ..."I would not expect you to. Nor would I want to disturb your convictions.
Tristram wrote: "Aaaah, those family reunions! "Nice post. Yes, Dickens did that family reunion beautifully.
Roger wrote: "I don't mean to defend Pecksniff, I'm guessing there are dastardly deeds to come from his direction, but from an artistic point of view I think Dickens may be accused of piling on, having an axe t..."Agreed. If this were a football match, Dickens would definitely be flagged for piling on.
Ah, yes. Pecksniff is a delight. Rather than a full frontal attack on him as Dickens often does with his villains and nasty characters, this time Dickens uses sarcasm, but so tinged as to make the reader wonder to what extend the description is serious or not. As Kate noted of Pecksniff's horse who was "full of promise, but of no performance" so the reader slowly realizes Pecksniff is not what he appears to be. The fact that Tom Pinch won't criticise Pecksniff speaks to the quality of his character. Naïve as Tom may be, a character who loves bookstores and finds pleasure in playing the organ surely must be destined for great success in the novel.
It has been mentioned in previous posts that this novel seems to be off to a rather languid start. Many passages, however, are remarkable for their powers of description and observation. I don't find the style of the early chapters to be disagreeable. In fact, in some ways, they show Dickens's breadth and depth of abilities. What a great line Montague Tigg's speaks when he says "I have not the vanity to attempt to pass for Slyme" or when Dickens writes of George Chuzzlewit that he "claimed to be young but had been younger." Priceless style and phrasing, written so subtly that you can easily miss these and other gems with too quick a reading.
I already have the characters welded in my head, having watching the brilliant BBC adaptation of the novel, featuring some of Britain's best actors. One of my favourites, Pete Postlethwaite, plays Tigg and does him so so well. Tom Wilkinson does a remarkable job of playing Peckniff. If you haven't seen it, I urge you all to find a copy (after we've finished the book, of course!) :)
Kate wrote: "One of my favourites, Pete Postlethwaite, plays Tigg and does him so so well. "I have a very hard time reading about Tigg and Slyme. They are so odious that it is unpleasant to read about them; it can ruin an otherwise nice evening. So I've taken to just skipping through their appearances.
Everyman wrote: "Kate wrote: "One of my favourites, Pete Postlethwaite, plays Tigg and does him so so well. "I have a very hard time reading about Tigg and Slyme. They are so odious that it is unpleasant to read..."
Oh Tigg is odious alright and Postlethwaite does a very good job of portraying him as such. LOL.
I find it interesting why Dickens would call Slyme by that name and not Tigg? To me, so far, Tigg comes across as more of the slime ball.
Hilary wrote: "Thank you Roger, Tristram and Everyman for bringing to my attention Pinch's stroll around the town and his staring through the bookshop window. I confess, I always struggle with purely descriptive..."Hi Hilary,
you know what helps me appreciate purely descriptive writing? It's reading these passages aloud. If you do that with Dickens you will notice that the images come to life and that even the rhythm helps them do so. Which is, perhaps, little wonder since Dickens used to give public readings and therefore had to write a prose that lent itself to being read aloud. Just try it ;-)
Hilary wrote: "Ah yes indeed, Tristram. There's the rub: do we discreetly draw a veil over Mr Pecksniff's attempt at peering through the keyhole and see it as a genuinely charitable act: to check on his ailing r..."I'm afraid, Hilary, that I cannot justly lay claim to that apt expression "Pecksniffery" as I'm sure that Dickens himself has coined it. It should be somewhere in one of the later instalments.
As to listening at keyholes, it is always an odious thing. So much so that Laurence Sterne punished one of his characters who listened at a keyhole by having him freeze in that uncomfortable position for several chapters. ;-)
Everyman wrote: "Tristram wrote: "Aaaah, those family reunions! "Nice post. Yes, Dickens did that family reunion beautifully."
You know that we are on our best way of forfeiting our reputation of grumps if we go on like that, don't you?
Peter wrote: "Ah, yes. Pecksniff is a delight. Rather than a full frontal attack on him as Dickens often does with his villains and nasty characters, this time Dickens uses sarcasm, but so tinged as to make th...""Full of promise, but of no performance" - thanks for pointing that wonderful expression out again!
Peter wrote: "It has been mentioned in previous posts that this novel seems to be off to a rather languid start. Many passages, however, are remarkable for their powers of description and observation. I don..."
In fact, Peter, there are so many of these aphorisms in the early chapters that I got myself a dictaphone and collected them ;-)
Tristram wrote: "You know that we are on our best way of forfeiting our reputation of grumps if we go on like that, don't you? "Oh, dear.
I resolve to do better in future.
Priceless, Peter!George Chuzzlewit 'had claimed to be young, but had been younger'.
Kate, I like the sound of the BBC adaptation. Must keep an eye out for it. Thanks!
Hi Tristram, thanks for tip on reading aloud. I have, on occasion, tried this when my powers of concentration are at an all time low. Unfortunately, it's a wonder that I have any time left to me at all as the 'all time' lows have become more like persistent unwanted friends. Your suggestion, nevertheless, concerning reading aloud for the descriptive parts is very helpful. I thank you. Perhaps I shall try singing aloud; God preserve my family!In my view, 'Pecksniffery' must still remain YOUR word as that was the first time that I am aware of having encountered it. Who is Dickens, after all, when Tristram is in the house?
As for listening at keyholes, I was always taught that it is a pastime never to be embarked upon, but then who am I? I can never come close to challenging a character who possesses the finesse and, indeed, rank of a Pecksniff!
Hilary wrote: "Hi Tristram, thanks for tip on reading aloud. I have, on occasion, tried this when my powers of concentration are at an all time low. Unfortunately, it's a wonder that I have any time left to me ..."Hilary
Your phrase "the rank of a Pecksniff" is positively Pickwickian and Dickensian. How Dickens would have enjoyed your double meaning of "rank." Social position and bad smell all rolled into one. Well done.
Oh and Tristram, I love the idea of the keyhole snoop being stuck in that position for chapters. This is reminiscent, to an extent, to John Cleese's character Basil Fawlty and to Robert de Niro's unfortunate keyhole incident in 'Meet the Fockers'. Ah the power of slapstick.
Hi Everyman, you appear to have less than what may be called 'admiration' for the characters of Tigg and Slyme. Up to this point in the story, I can only agree with you concerning Tigg. When we observe Chevy Slyme Esquire more closely, we see that he has at least one characteristic to recommend him: his ability to stand around corners. How many of us have tried this and failed miserably? He has, it appears to me, perfected this virtue into something not short of an art form. It would, therefore, I contend, be remiss of us to dismiss him out of hand.
Hilary wrote: "In my view, 'Pecksniffery' must still remain YOUR word as that was the first time that I am aware of having encountered it. Who is Dickens, after all, when Tristram is in the house?."Still, I would not feel at ease claiming the honour of an invention made by another person. Still less so when this person is Dickens, who is not easy to imitate. I'm still under the expression of Chapters 6 to 8, which had some very fine moments, and I would not want to plagiarize from such a genius ;-)
Hilary wrote: "Oh and Tristram, I love the idea of the keyhole snoop being stuck in that position for chapters. This is reminiscent, to an extent, to John Cleese's character Basil Fawlty and to Robert de Niro's ..."I don't know the film you mentioned, but Fawlty Towers is definitely one of my all-time favourites, esp. the two episodes about the Germans and about the American and his Waldorf salad ;-)
Pleasant little family party at Mr. Pecksniff's
Chapter 4
Pinch starts homeward with the new pupil
Chapter 5
Tristram, I LOVE those episodes!!! There was concern at the time that Germans may be offended by the content. I watched a documentary on it and the Germans on that programme thought it absolutely hilarious!
Everyman wrote: "Tristram wrote: "You know that we are on our best way of forfeiting our reputation of grumps if we go on like that, don't you? "Oh, dear.
I resolve to do better in future."
Please do. You two complimenting each other's posts is a little hard to take. :-}
we have now come to Chapters 4 and 5. Chapter 4 not only introduces the various branches of the Chuzzlewit family to us, giving us an impression why old Martin might have been fretting about the corruptive influence of his wealth on his surroundings, but it also shows Dickens at his most satiric and witty. This chapter is rife with brilliant and witty passages poking fun at Pecksniff, Chevy Slyme and Mr. Tigg, the Spottletoes, the strong-minded woman etc. etc. What are your favourite ones?
Then in Chapter 5 we have the description of Mr. Pinch going to Salisbury in order to meet the new pupil, who turns out to be none other but Martin, the Grandson, Chuzzlewit. Here I noticed some peculiarities of style, e.g. the narrator actually addressing Tom Pinch directly. What do you think about that? Is it too obtrusive, or is it a successful way of characterizing Mr. Pinch? Pinch picks up Mark – of whom, after a while we learn that he is actually working at the Blue Dragon. We are furthermore introduced to Mark’s quaint philosophy concerning the merits of being jolly – a philosophy which might also give rise to a discussion here, seeing that there are hardly any grumpy people around. Pinch walks around Salisbury – wonderful descriptions here – and he finally meets Martin junior. What do you make of this young man? – During their trip home, Tom tells him about a mysterious young woman who was listening to his playing the organ. Any idea as to her identity? Nudge, nudge … When they finally arrive at Mr. Pecksniff’s, this hypocrite has already prepared everything to be surprised by their arrival, and he shows his relative around the house.
Sure there is a lot to be discussed here … ?