David doesn't hear anything from Martha Endell for several months, but she's in touch with Mr. Peggotty. David thinks more and more that Emily must be dead but Mr. Peggotty's faith that she's alive never changes.

Dora grows to like Mr. Peggotty and sees him quite often. One night, Mr. Peggotty tells David that Martha has been to see him, and to ask that Mr. Peggotty absolutely not leave England.