Mark Reads A Quite Good Book: Recent Episodes
Mark Cartwright
Experience magical tales from the literary world using your ears. Listen to stories from the fantastic imaginations of both classic authors as well as from authors who are as yet unpublished. There is many a treasured tale to be discovered. The readings will be across all genres and for all ages.
Each week there will be two audio only podcasts. One will be a weekly serialised reading from one of the great classics of English Literature, think Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein, Animal Farm etc. The second weekly podcast will be a serialised reading from a story from an independent author, a chance to discover a brand new literary talent.
Podcasts will be audio only and will run for approximately 25-35 minutes each, one to be published on a Monday, the other every Friday. these are ideal to listen to whilst eating your working lunch or even as you endure your daily commute.
David muses on the state of affairs at the time of his writing. He sees Miss Betsey, old but still upright, accompanied by Peggotty, who is also old but still bright and happy. Mr. Dick is still working on his autobiography. Mrs. Steerforth and Miss Dartle argue as usual. Doctor Strong continues to work on his dictionary while he and Annie live in marital bliss. Traddles is a successful lawyer and happily married to Sophy, and Agnes is forever the light of David’s life.
Agnes and David remain friends. One day, when he can bear it no longer, David demands to know whom she loves more than anyone else. She sobs, and David realizes he is her true love. They are engaged and married within two weeks.
David receives a letter from Mr. Creakle, who has heard of David’s fame. Now a magistrate, Mr. Creakle asks David to come to his prison to witness his new form of punishment, which he says is the perfect way to reform prisoners. At the prison, David and Traddles are told of two prisoners who prove just how well Mr. Creakle’s system works. The first of the prisoners is Uriah, who is serving a life term in prison for defrauding the Bank of England. Uriah tells David, Traddles, and the guards that he wishes everyone could go to jail to improve their lives. The second prisoner is Littimer, who attempted to rob someone but was apprehended by Miss Mowcher, who recognized him in the street and stopped his getaway.
David returns to Miss Betsey’s, where Mr. Dick and Peggotty now live. David and his aunt talk through the night. He inquires whether Agnes has any lovers. Miss Betsey tells him that Agnes has many admirers but only one love—but she does not reveal the identity of Agnes’s love. The next day, David goes to visit Agnes. He tells her how much he reveres her, no matter what new ties she should choose to make in her life. Agnes seems troubled by his declarations of affection.
David travels abroad and eventually settles in Switzerland. He mourns the deaths of Dora, Steerforth, and Ham and begins to feel the weight of his sorrows for the first time. David receives a letter from Agnes and reflects how much he loves her. He resolves not to make any decisions about love or marriage until a full year has passed since Dora’s death. He decides to try to make himself a better man in the meantime.
The corpse that has washed ashore with the long curly hair is none other than James Steerforth’s. Presently, the Yarmouth locals bear the corpse to a nearby house and there they lay it. David removes it to the inn, however, sensing that the locals still bear Steerforth a grudge.
Anxious to transport the corpse to Highgate and to Mrs. Steerforth and to avoid the scrutiny of the locals, David contacts Joram, who will provide the hearse, and decides to leave that very night instead of waiting for daylight. To David’s surprise and chagrin, many Yarmouth locals witness the scene, as David and Joram depart for Highgate.
Not long before the ship for Australia is set to sail, Peggotty comes to London to see not only David, but also Mr. Peggotty and little Em'ly. David himself does not see Emily, but he spends a lot of time with the Peggottys, and one evening, Peggotty begins to talk about Ham's kindness and strength. As David walks home that night, he begins to reconsider leaving Ham's message for Emily on the day she will depart, since he thinks she might want a chance to respond. He therefore writes her a letter that same night relaying Ham's message.
David is very distressed over Dora's death, and Agnes suggests that he go abroad in order to forget his unhappiness. She makes all the arrangements, but David must wait until after "the final pulverization of Heep" and until the emigrants leave.
The emigration of the Micawber family is to be financed by Miss Trotwood, who has regained her money. Traddles explains that he went over the Wickfield accounts and found that the business was not short of funds and that Miss Betsey's money would be returned, except for two thousand pounds that she had withdrawn some years before. Miss Betsey informs David that she didn't tell him about this nest egg because she wanted to see if he could get along without her financial help. Miss Betsey also agrees to pay Mr. Micawber's IOU's as they are now due, and Mr. Micawber can repay her after he makes good in Australia.
David, Betsey, Mr. Dick, and Traddles go to Canterbury to keep their appointment with Mr. Micawber. Dora stays behind because she is sick. They arrange to meet Mr. Micawber at a hotel and from there they go to the Wickfield house.
When everyone is assembled, Micawber begins presenting his evidence against Uriah Heep. Heep warns them all to stop or he will ruin them all with the secrets he knows about them.
David is walking with Miss Betsey in the garden early the next morning when Mr. Peggotty comes by to speak to David. Miss Betsey shakes Mr. Peggotty's hand and starts to go inside.
Mr. Peggotty asks her to stay. He tells them that he brought Emily to his lodging house the night before. Mr. Peggotty recounts Emily's story
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.
David receives a letter at his law office that shocks him. The letter is from Mr. Micawber. Mr. Micawber writes that he has hit a run of bad luck, and that (even though he knows that David is busy and important these days) he wants to confide in his old friend.
Mr. Micawber has decided that he must take a brief vacation from Canterbury because life has become awful. He hopes that both David and Mr. Traddles will meet him when he comes to London for two days.
David has been married for a year and a half, and he and Dora still have little luck with housekeeping. They employ a page, but this man constantly fights with the cook and steals food from them. He finally ends up in jail for stealing Dora's watch. David then decides that he should "form Dora's mind," so she can become more responsible in household management. He begins by reading Shakespeare to her and by giving out "little scraps of useful information, or sound opinion." This fails, and David begins to think about Agnes and to wonder what things would have been like if he hadn't met Dora
David and Mr. Peggotty catch up with Martha just as she approaches the bank of a river (probably the Thames). David realizes she is about to commit suicide, and, with the help of Mr. Peggotty, he pulls her back from the edge of the water. Martha begins to sob that it would be best if she jumped in the river because her life is so miserable.
Martha blames herself for Em'ly's disappearance and is beside herself with grief because Em'ly had been so kind to her. David explains that she is not to blame and that they are there to ask her to help them find the missing girl. Martha now has a reason to live and vows never to give up until Em'ly is found.
About a year has passed since David had gotten married. He has found such success at freelance writing that he is currently writing a book of fiction. Presently, as he is taking a walk, thinking about the book he is writing, he passes the Steerforths’ residence (which he has done so numerous times) and thinks how gloomy and dull the house is when he is waylaid by the Steerforth’s housemaid. She implores David to have a word with Rosa Dartle. David obliges.
David frequently sees Dr. Strong and observes that his marriage is becoming more troubled. Mrs. Markleham, the "Old Soldier," drags Annie around to operas, concerts, and other forms of entertainment, even though Annie would prefer to stay at home. Although Dr. Strong encourages Annie to get out more, the selfish Mrs. Markleham widens the gap between the couple. Mr. Dick becomes disturbed over this because both Dr. Strong and Annie are his friends. Aunt Betsey, while speaking with David, predicts that Mr. Dick will soon "distinguish himself in some extraordinary manner."
The glamour of the wedding wears off almost at once. Their servant, Mary Anne Paragon, is a poor cook. David tells Dora to talk to her about the preparation of meals, but Dora's only recourse is to cry. David asks his aunt to explain housekeeping to his wife, but she refuses and tells David that he must have patience with "Little Blossom" and to "estimate her . . . by the qualities she has, and not by the qualities she may not have." She goes on to say, "This is marriage, Trot; and Heaven bless you both in it, for a pair of babes in the wood as you are!"
David reminisces about his life and remembers how his love for Dora continued to grow. He is now twenty-one and has "tamed that savage stenographic mystery [shorthand]" and reports the debates in Parliament for "a morning newspaper." He is also writing for magazines with some success and says, "Altogether, I am well off." His greatest happiness, however, is due to his coming marriage.
Mr. Wickfield and Agnes visit the Strongs. Agnes and Dora get along well. Dora is a bit amazed that David loves her considering he has been so close to Agnes for so long. When David takes Agnes home, Agnes assures him that she will never marry Uriah and that, lately, she is happier being alone.
Dora’s aunts answer David’s letter and tell him he is welcome to visit in order to discuss his courtship of Dora. Thrilled, David goes to see the aunts, bringing Traddles along to assist him in convincing them. On the way, David asks Traddles to comb his hair. Traddles says that no amount of combing will make his hair lay flat—a family trait that leads his beloved Sophy Crewler’s sisters to make fun of him incessantly.
Late one night, David runs into Mr. Peggotty, who says that he has been looking for Little Em’ly on the continent. Mr. Peggotty has come close to finding her a few times and has received a letter from her. In all, Little Em’ly has sent three letters containing money to the Peggottys. Mrs. Gummidge has replied to one of the letters, telling Little Em’ly that her uncle misses her terribly and will forgive her if she comes back. While Mr. Peggotty tells David this story, David sees Martha listening at the inn door. Martha disappears, and Mr. Peggotty goes off to a cheap inn where he can stay for the night before he sets off again on his journey.
o distract himself from his troubles with Dora, David goes to check on Miss Betsey’s cottage, which proves to be in excellent condition. He then goes to Canterbury to visit Agnes and Mr. Wickfield. At Mr. Wickfield’s, David finds that Uriah Heep and his mother have taken control. Mr. Micawber has become a tenant at Mr. Wickfield’s house. David sees Mr. Micawber and speaks with him but feels they have grown distant from each other. Agnes persuades David to write to Dora’s aunts to seek permission to visit Dora.
Mr. Spenlow calls David away from the office one morning and announces that he has uncovered David’s affair with Dora. Mr. Spenlow forbids David to continue seeing his daughter and threatens to disinherit her and send her abroad if David does not comply. David answers that he loves Dora and that Dora loves him. He says that he cannot possibly abandon her.
David tells Dora about his financial woes the next time he sees her at Miss Mills’s house. Dora becomes hysterical at the idea that she might have to live in poverty and refuses to listen to David’s argument that she should learn how to manage a house. David calms Dora, but she becomes hysterical every time he mentions money. David begs Miss Mills to try to bring Dora around to an understanding. Miss Mills agrees to try, although she does not think it can be done.
On his way to visit Doctor Strong, David concludes that his new financial difficulties will allow him to prove that he loves Dora. He determines that he will work through every difficulty to be with her and will raise himself and his aunt out of their present distress. Doctor Strong agrees that David should be his secretary and that the two of them will work together on the dictionary Doctor Strong is compiling. They begin immediately. While they are at breakfast, Jack Maldon asks Annie to go to the opera with him that night. Annie does not want to go, but Doctor Strong tries to force her.
After David gets his aunt settled, he has a long discussion with Mr. Dick about her poverty. When Mr. Dick begins to cry, David has to cheer him up. Peggotty and Mr. Dick then leave for the night, and David and his aunt talk about Dora, his new-found love. Miss Trotwood implies that the girl is "light-headed" and "silly"; however, she does not interfere with the relationship. She then expresses her approval of Peggotty
Traddles visits David and tells him more about his fiancée, who is the fourth of ten children of a curate in Devonshire and who cares for her mother and her sisters. Traddles tells David that Mr. Micawber has come into severe financial difficulties and has been forced to move and change his name to Mortimer. The authorities have seized all of Mr. Micawber’s things, including his flower pot and table. Traddles asks Peggotty to go purchase these items from the pawnbroker for Mr. Micawber so that he will not be overcharged. Peggotty agrees. When they arrive home, Miss Betsey is there with all of her things and with the news that she has been ruined by faulty business decisions.
Far from distracting David from Dora, Barkis's death and Emily's disappearance just make her seem even "purer" and more loveable in comparison. Once they are back in London, David tells Peggotty that he has fallen in love and is somewhat disappointed that she doesn't consider his love as hopeless as he does
Despite feeling intense guilt over the part he has played in the "pollution of an honest home," David cannot bring himself to condemn Steerforth. In fact, he loves him more than ever and cannot stop thinking of all his good qualities. He realizes, however, that their friendship is over once and for all. From this point on, David writes, his memories of Steerforth "were as the remembrances of a cherished friend, who was dead."
David agrees to stay until Mr. Barkis is buried (in the same cemetery as Clara Copperfield). He also helps Peggotty and exercises his professional skills by reading and interpreting Barkis's will, which he finds in the box Barkis always kept by his bed. As it turns out, this box also contains several hundred pounds and a few valuable items, including a gold watch. In total, Barkis has saved nearly 3,000 pounds, which he divides in his will between Peggotty, little Em'ly, and David; he also bequeaths the interest on 1,000 pounds to Mr. Peggotty. Dealing with this business keeps David preoccupied for the week leading up to the funeral, during which time he does not see Emily. The funeral itself is small and quiet, and gives David a chance to place some leaves on his mother's grave.
David arrives in Yarmouth that evening and arranges to stay at an inn. He then stops by Omer and Joram's: the shop has closed for the evening, but Mr. Omer is inside and lets David in. David says he was sorry to learn of Mr. Barkis's condition and asks Mr. Omer what he knows about it. Omer, however, says he doesn't know anything, because it isn't appropriate for an undertaker to ask about the health of someone sick. Mr. Omer feels that this is rather unfair, and wishes that people were "stronger-minded" about death.
David is cordially received at the Steerforth residence, especially by Rosa Dartle, who begins asking him questions about Steerforth's activities. She blames David for keeping Steerforth away from home longer than usual, and she hints that something may cause a quarrel between Steerforth and his mother. Steerforth flatters Miss Dartle into playing the harp and singing for them, and David comments that her song is the most "unearthly" he has ever heard. When Miss Dartle finishes playing, Steerforth laughingly puts his arm around her and says, "Come, Rosa, for the future we will love each other very much!" Miss Dartle promptly strikes him and angrily leaves the room. David asks why she did this, but Steerforth says he does not know, but that she is "always dangerous."
David passes the time until his dinner party by thinking about Dora and eating very little, which he feels is appropriate to his "love-lorn condition." Having learned from his dinner party with Steerforth, David plans a much more modest meal this time. He manages to persuade Mrs. Crupp to cook for the party, but she manipulates him into agreeing to dine out for the following two weeks. He does, however, procure the ingredients for Mr. Micawber to make punch, which is a specialty of his.
David goes to visit Tommy Traddles, who lives in a very poor section of Camden Town, where garbage and junk clutter the streets.
David is surprised and delighted to learn that Traddles' landlord is Mr. Micawber, who is still patiently waiting for something to turn up. David talks with Mr. and Mrs. Micawber and learns that they are expecting another child. He is invited to dinner but declines the invitation; instead, he asks them to dine with him at a later date.
David's trial period at Spenlow and Jorkins is now over, and he is apprenticed outright. There is a small party at the office when he is "articled," and Mr. Spenlow says that he would have been happy to have him over to his home if his daughter hadn't so recently returned from school in Paris.
Two mornings after the dinner party, just as David is about to leave his room, a messenger arrives with a letter from Agnes, asking him to meet her at the home of Mr. Waterbrook, her father's London agent. When David meets Agnes, he reproaches himself for his conduct at the theatre. Agnes is forgiving, and David calls her his "good Angel." She warns David against Steerforth, his "bad Angel," but David insists that Steerforth is a good and loyal friend.
Agnes then relates her growing fears about Uriah Heep, who seems to be gaining more and more power over her father. In fact, Agnes believes that Uriah is going to enter the firm as a partner. David is indignant about this and tells Agnes that she must prevent it. Agnes, however, asks David to be congenial to Uriah for her father's sake.
David enjoys the freedom of having his own rooms, although he also finds it lonely at times; he misses Agnes in particular.
Eager once again to seem grown-up, David is thrilled to have the chance to show off his apartment and host his own dinner party.
Having seen Emily's raw emotion after meeting with Martha Endell, David feels that he has witnessed something extremely private. He doesn't even want to talk about her with Steerforth.
David gets a letter from Miss Betsey asking what he wants to do next. After parting from all the Yarmouth Peggottys and Mr. Omer and his family, Steerforth and David leave Yarmouth.
David tells Steerforth about his aunt's question: what should he do with his life? Miss Betsey has suggested that David become a proctor (in a word, a lawyer)
Steerforth and David spend about two weeks in Yarmouth. They mostly stay together, but David hates sailing and Steerforth loves it. So, Steerforth frequently goes out at night with the fisherman while David stays over with Peggotty and Mr. Barkis.
David also goes on long walks by himself to see the old places of his childhood. So, there are several days when David goes off and Steerforth entertains himself – but David doesn't know how.
David persuades Steerforth to accompany him to Yarmouth to see Ham and Mr. Peggotty again and to meet Peggotty and Little Em’ly.
Peggotty does not recognize David at first, but when she does, she sobs over him for a long time. Mr. Barkis, ill but glad to see David, opens his cherished money box and gives Peggotty some money to prepare dinner for David. Steerforth arrives and entertains Peggotty and David. In retrospect, the adult David muses that if anyone had told him that night that Steerforth’s joviality and manners were all part of a game to him, born from his sense of superiority, David would have dismissed such an idea as a lie.
David sets off on a month-long journey to Yarmouth, to the home of Peggotty and her family, to decide what profession to pursue. He takes his leave of Agnes and Mr. Wickfield, and Doctor Strong throws a going-away party in David’s honor.
The next morning, David leaves on the London coach and tries to appear as manly as possible. Nonetheless, the coachman asks him to resign his seat of honor to an older man. David spends the evening at an inn, where the waiter pokes fun at his youthfulness and the chambermaid gives him a pitiful room. David attends a play, returns to the inn, and discovers Steerforth in a sitting room. Steerforth is now attending Oxford but is bored by his studies and is on his way home to see his mother. David and Steerforth are happily reunited, and the inn staff immediately treat David with respect.
David sets off on a month-long journey to Yarmouth, to the home of Peggotty and her family, to decide what profession to pursue. He takes his leave of Agnes and Mr. Wickfield, and Doctor Strong throws a going-away party in David's honor.
David charts his development as a young man. His growing confidence in his academic and social life is clear to see. He develops an infatuation with an older lady.
During written correspondence with Peggoty David finds out that the Murdstones have left The Rookery abandoned and marks the final loss of his old childhood home. It gives him some cause for reflection.
He also comes to spend a lot of time with Mr Dick who quickly becomes a firm favourite at his school. He confides in David one day that there is a strange man lurking in the shadows around the home he shares with David's aunt. David puts this down to his 'condition'. One day when he is walking with Mr Dick back to his coach he espies Uriah who invites him to take tea with him and his mother. This he does albeit reluctantly, whilst there a stranger pays them a visit.
Miss Betsey proposes that David, whom she has nicknamed “Trot,” be sent to school at Canterbury. They go to Canterbury and visit Mr. Wickfield, a lawyer and a friend of Miss Betsey’s. At Mr. Wickfield’s, they meet Uriah Heep, an unattractive young redhead dressed entirely in black and skeleton-like in appearance.
Uriah takes them to Mr. Wickfield, who recommends a school for David but warns that the dorms are full and that David will have to stay elsewhere. The adults agree that David can go to the school and stay with Mr. Wickfield until they find a more suitable arrangement. David meets Agnes, Mr. Wickfield’s lovely and charming daughter, who dotes on her father and is his one joy since his wife died
David's aunt writes to Mr Murdstone to advise that David is now staying at her house and enquiring what he is to do about it. The meetings between the Murdstone's and Miss Trotwood does not go well but fortunately David is asked his opinion and for once someone actually listens to him.
Determined to reach Miss Betsey's home in Dover, David sets out on foot. He passes a small second-hand clothing store, sells his waistcoat for a small sum, and then spends the night in a haystack near Salem House School.
David, "a dusty, sunburnt, half-clothed figure," arrives in Dover after six days of traveling and inquires about his aunt. After several unsuccessful inquiries, he is directed to Miss Trotwood's cottage. Miss Trotwood, seeing the ragged urchin in her garden, sternly bids him, "Go away! Go along! No boys here!" But when David tells her who he is and what an unhappy life he has led since his mother's death, she takes charge of him with vigor, but it should be added, with abruptness.
On the Sunday before they leave, Mr. Micawber and Mrs. Micawber have David over for dinner, and both thank him for being a friend to them in difficult times. Mr. Micawber urges David to spare himself similar difficulties by avoiding procrastination, though he also notes that "applying that maxim" to his engagement to Mrs. Micawber led him to go into debt to get married. He then reiterates that David should never spend more than he earns, and David promises to heed this advice.
David says goodbye to the Micawbers as they board a coach the next morning, and Mr. Micawber reiterates that he hopes his "blighted destiny" will serve as a warning to David. He also promises to help David if anything "turns up," which he says he is sure it will.
Clearly unwanted by the Murdstone's David is sent to work at their companies counting house in London. Whilst he is mostly concerned with upward mobility, his time at the counting-house is a grim reminder that it's possible to slide down the social ladder as well. David finds himself a member of the working classes, and without any hope of further education, his prospects for climbing back into the middle class are limited.
Shortly after David’s mother’s funeral, Miss Murdstone gives Peggotty, who is being dismissed, a month’s notice. David anticipates constantly being berated by the Murdstones, but instead he finds himself left to his own devices. As the day of Peggotty’s departure nears, Peggotty proposes that David accompany her to Yarmouth and stay there as a guest. When Peggotty poses the proposal to Miss Murdstone, Miss Murdstone, citing her brother’s need for peace, which David is accused of disturbing, begrudgingly gives her consent.
David is sent home from Salem House upon learning that his sweet mother and baby son have died. Peggotty is the only one to provide him with any comfort. The Murdstones are not that p[leased to see him of course.
Pushing aside his fear of Mr. Murdstone and Miss Murdstone, David enters the house only to hear Clara singing. The sound makes David think of his early childhood, and he approaches to find her singing to a baby. When she sees David, Clara embraces him and introduces him to his baby brother. David is so happy that he later wishes he "had died" during the reunion.
The Murdstone's return later that evening and David apologises for having previously bitten Mr Murdstone.
The young Copperfield is very much alone for the first month at school. Eventually it becomes apparent that the school will become fully occupied with other schoolboys. David meets his first real friend in a young boy called Traddles.
David is also summoned to meet the headmaster a certain Mr Creakle who is a terrible brute of a man. He treats his family with disdain and his pupils even worse. David fears the almost daily beatings that he and Traddles have to endure at the hands of the sadistic headmaster.
Dickens describes eloquently the turmoil David's life now experiences. He is sent away to boarding school in London. He is not escorted or chaperoned and is naively taken in by a waiter and made fun of by other coach passengers. Peggoty secretly gave him a hug and some coins but London is a big bad world.
He eventually meets up with Mr Mell who advises the young David that he is the school teacher. The boarding school appears run down and as it is still the school holidays there are no there no other boys for David to make friends with.
Whilst David was away at Peggoty's home, his mother remarries. David's new 'father' is a strict authoritarian and views emotions as signs of weakness. He believes in firmness and when David struggles in his studies he is quick to administer punishment.
David's relationship with his mother is further strained when talk of a boarding school education is raised.
Peggotty takes David to Yarmouth, where her family live in a boat which they had converted into a home. Peggotty’s brother, Mr. Daniel Peggotty, adopted his nephew, Ham, and his niece, Little Em’ly, who are not siblings, when their fathers drowned. Mrs. Gummidge, the widowed wife of Mr. Peggotty’s brother, lives with them too.
David has a lovely time on holiday and quite forgets about his mother back at home. When he arrives, Peggotty tells him that his mother married Mr. Murdstone while they were away. David is reunited with his mother. Mr. Murdstone orders David’s mother to control herself in her behavior toward her son. David sees Mr. Murdstone again, for the first time as his mother’s husband. David thinks that Mr. Murdsone, with his great black beard, looks like an enormous and threatening dog.
David recalls his home and its vast and mysterious passageways, the churchyard where his father is buried, Sundays in church, and his early life with his youthful, pretty mother and the kindly, capable Peggotty.
After the stranger's departure, David hears an argument between his mother and Peggotty about the man. Peggotty insists that the man, Mr. Murdstone, is not an acceptable suitor.
About two months later, Peggotty invites David to spend a fortnight with her at her brother's place at Yarmouth. David is eager to go, but he asks what his mother will say. "She can't live by herself, you know," he insists. Young as he is, he does not realize that he is being sent away deliberately. His mother has a tearful farewell with him. As David and Peggotty drive off in a cart, David looks back. He sees Mr. Murdstone come up to his mother and apparently scold her for being so emotional.
David is born six months after his father dies. His mother and their servant, Peggotty, are alone in "The Rookery," awaiting the birth. Miss Betsey Trotwood, David's great aunt, arrives unexpectedly on the day David is born.
Miss Trotwood predicts that David will be born a girl and proposes to be this female infant's godmother. When David is born a boy, Miss Trotwood takes his gender as a personal insult and leaves.
Several superstitious elements are introduced regarding David's birth. One is the hour of his birth, late on Friday night, which implies that he will be able to see ghosts or have some other connection to the spirit world. The other is that he is born with a caul, a good luck charm against drowning.
New story from an indie author.
Matt and Ross are best friends and have been since university. their wives get on well and they live a pretty idyllic life until one day Ross disappears.
Everyone grieves differently but Matt is surprised at how quickly Ross's wife, Maddie, wants to get on with her life and leave her past behind. Matt, however won;t give up that easily but even his own wife turns against him.
What has happened to Ross and why are people determined to forget him?
Assured in his knowledge that he knows where the Black Stone are heading Hannay convinces the top military brass to assign him a small team so that they can intercept the covert message before it falls into enemy hands.
But all is not as it seems and his own self doubts come to the surface.
In the morning, Hannay is greeted with more intrigue from Bullivant. Royer, the Frenchman in possession of the key intelligence wanted by the Black Stone, is set to meet with Bullivant and three other military men in Bullivant's home that night.
Hannay is however not invited to the meeting. The top military and political figures are set on a particular well thought out course of action and despite Hannay's concerns they believe that The Black Stone will not be able to penetrate their inner circle although they do admit that there is some concern as to how they have gained so much information this far.
Hannay takes some time to recover from his injuries following his dramatic escape from the evil foreign spy network. He benefits from the kindness of strangers before making his way back down into England to pass on his secrets to friends of the UK government - but will they believe him?
Hannay, still disguised as Turnbull, finds that several policemen are searching for him, so he decides to escape across the countryside.
Hannay reaches an old man's house and the man tells him to hide inside. He seems friendly but Hannay is worried as to why this bald archaeologist seems only to willing to help him evade the police.
Desperately trying to find cover to continue with his plan to escape detection and apprehension for a crime he didn't commit, our protagonist Richard Hannay struggles with both the Scottish landscape as well as its weather.
Realising that he has been spotted by the seemingly ever present plane he knows that the net is closing in on him fast. He takes on a disguise as a working roadman but as his potential captors arrive on the scene things look precarious.
As Hannay speeds along the moor roads in the stolen plainclothes officer's car, he thinks about what he discovered in Scudder's black book. Much of what Scudder told him was a lie. The conspiracy was bigger than he stated.
in unusual circumstances he befriends a gentleman who is a candidate for an upcoming UK Parliamentary election. Believing that he can trust this fellow he confesses all.
Following his discovery of his murdered friend Hannay is forced to confront his suspicions. He resolves that going to the police will not be a good idea as they will immediately suspect him. He also suspects that Scudder's assassins are still watching so his is forced to go on the run himself until the time is right for him to tell his tory to the right authorities.
He spends his evening planning his escape and boarding a train bound for Scotland he goes 'on the run'.
In late May 1914, when World War I is imminent in Europe, Richard Hannay returns home to London after having lived and worked in Rhodesia as a mining engineer. One night, his neighbour, an American who claims to be in fear for his life, asks if Hannay can let him in. The man appears to know of an anarchist plot to destabilise Europe, beginning with a plan to assassinate the Greek Premier, Constantine Karolides, during his forthcoming visit to London on the 15 June.
The man, named Franklin P. Scudder, is a freelance spy, and reveals that he has faked his own death with a corpse in his flat. Scudder claims to be following a ring of German spies called the Black Stone who are trying to steal Britain's naval defense plans for the outbreak of war and are also after him. Hannay, convinced of his honesty, lets Scudder hide in his flat. Police discover the fake suicide, but suspect nothing. Nonetheless, Hannay finds Scudder murdered in his flat a few days later. Feeling now bestowed with the responsibility to foil the plot, as well as in mortal danger himself, Hannay takes up Scudder's encoded little notebook and escapes his apartment under watch by the plotters by disguising himself as the milkman the next early morning.
Virginia Otis, the ministers daughter, befriends the Canterville Ghost. The ghost is clearly unhappy and requests Virginia's assistance.
Despite the warnings against buying the Canterville Chase, Mr. Hiram B. Otis purchases the old house. Lord Canterville, the previous owner, tells Mr. Otis that the ghost has lived in the house since 1584, and when Mr. Otis still wants the house, Lord Canterville consents but says, ''Only you must remember that I warned you.''
Watching some Eloi playing and swimming, the Time Traveller realizes that the Eloi are for the Morlocks an abundant source of food. The Eloi have only a vague idea of the danger they are in and what their end will be. The human mind, he feels, has "committed suicide" by seeking ease and security. Now there is an "Upper-world" and an "Under-world," with the inhabitants of the latter having retained more initiative and edge.
As he approaches the White Sphinx, he discovers to his surprise that there are doors in the bronze pedestal that are open. Inside he glimpses his time machine on a raised platform. Furthermore, it has been oiled and cleaned. He enters and the doors slam shut. He laughs, as he has expected all of this. All he has to do is light a match and be on his way. However, to his horror he discovers that his matches need the rough strip on the side of a matchbox to be lit. He has no matchbox.
During their expedition they realise that the palace of green porcelain is actually a ruined museum. Among a chemistry exhibit, the Time Traveller salvages some camphor, an inflammable substance often used in torches. He is thrilled to find some preserved matches--he had run out--and he marvels at the completely decayed remains of books that he finds in one of the halls.
Exploring a giant hall of machinery, he becomes aware that Weena is scared. Looking into the dark end of the hall, he hears the sound of Morlocks. He breaks a lever off one of the machines, and flees.
The Time Traveller concludes that in order to recover his machine he must enter into the world of the Morlocks. In the distance, he sees what he describes as the Palace of Green Porcelain. Instead of visiting it, he decides that he must descend into one of the wells. When Weena sees him descend, she is very worried. He clambers down one of the wells for a long time, finally finding a small alcove where he can rest. He awakes to the touch of clammy fingers.
Over dinner the Time Traveller continues to tell his tale about the Eloi and their life. He saves the live of a young Eloi called Weena and from her he begins to understand more about another race of creatures that live underground called the Morlocks.
He comes to realise that the Morlocks may have taken his time machine and therefore his only route back home.
Sitting in the smoking room after dinner, the Time Traveller begins his story. He finished the time machine at ten o'clock that morning. When completed, he says he barely touched the forward lever and the clock read 3 p.m. He presses the lever again and the light gets dim. He is still in the room, but the maid does not see him when she walks through. He watches day and night pass in quick succession. Initially, he is still in his laboratory, but this changes and he is eventually outside. From there, he watches trees grow and wither and buildings going up and coming back down.
The feeling is exhilarating, but Time Traveller begins to worry about hitting something when he stops. He comes to a stop on a hill near a large winged white statue.
Over dinner one evening an Edwardian gentleman informs his guests (including the story's narrator) that he has built a device capable of time travel.
The narrator concludes that not many of the guests believed the Time Traveller, as he was a very intelligent man, likely to play elaborate pranks. The narrator returns to dinner at his house the next week where they have been instructed to begin dinner without their host. When the Time Traveller returns he tells them of his experiences in the past week.
Bingley and Jane become engaged and Lady Catherine de Bourgh then visits the Bennets. The noblewoman (the aunt of Darcy) wants to speak with Elizabeth directly. She has come to understand that Darcy is planning on marrying Elizabeth, which comes as a surprise to her.
Lady Catherine insists that this cannot happen and wants assurances from Elizabeth to confirm the same understanding. This is based purely on Elizabeth’s low station in life and the fact that from birth Darcy was planned to wed her own daughter.
Bingley and Darcy pay a visit to the Bennett household. Mrs Bennett contrives to allow Bingley and Jane time alone in the hope that he will propose.
Mrs Bennett also inadvertently prevents Darcy from speaking with Elizabeth.
Mrs. Gardiner sends a long reply detailing how Darcy went to London, tracked down Wickham and stopped him from abandoning Lydia and escaping to Europe, and then negotiated a deal with Wickham and presented it to Mr. Gardiner. Darcy would pay and Mr. Gardiner would take all the credit.
The newlyweds move to the North to the dismay of Mrs Bennett.
Lydia and Mr Wickham are found. Mr Gardiner writes to the Bennetts advising that they will marry once Mr Wickhams debts have been paid which Mr Gardiner agrees to do, he does not confide as to what the relative amounts and Mr. Bennet strongly suspects that Mr. Gardiner has already paid more than he can afford.
Mr Bennett can offer a dowry of £1000 and £100 PA. He knows Wickham would be a fool to take less for Lydia, but he agrees and Mrs Bennett begins to plan for the wedding.
Elizabeth knows from Darcy's story that Wickham has no morals and is therefore capable of anything. Only marriage can save Lydia's reputation, and that of her entire family.
However Mrs. Bennet, who always tries to keep herself in the right, places the blame firmly on Colonel Foster rather than herself. She is just as superficial and frivolous as ever: how can she worry about dresses at a time like this?
Elizabeth is somewhat dismayed to find out that her planned trip to the Lakes with her Aunt and Uncle has had to be changed due to her Uncles work commitments. instead they now embark on a tour of Derbyshire. back home her youngest sister Lydia has been able to secure a holiday with Colonel Forster and his wife in Brighton following the relocation of his regiment there.
Whilst Elizabeth is grateful that the local officer's regiment are to relocate to Brighton and therefore she will be rid of Wickham, she is dismayed that her youngest sister Lydia is trying to get the Bennet family to stay in the seaside town for the summer.
Elizabeth meets Wickham and makes it clear that she is wary of him following the revelations made to her by Mr Darcy. Although not mentioning his name Wickham believes it to be so.
The letter that Mr Darcy gives Elizabeth prior to his departure gives Elizabeth much food for thought. She is grateful that she must return home soon and desperately wants to speak with her elder sister Jane about its contents. However she must remain mindful not to say too much as it makes some difficult reading for her sister.
Mr Darcy writes a letter to Elizabeth, he says he realizes that he was wrong about Jane not loving Bingley, but he was worried about how everyone in the family was acting. (Except Jane and Lizzy of course). He admits not regret other than not having told Bingley that Jane was in London.
As for Wickham, the story is actually totally different: Darcy explains the situation which gives Elizabeth food for thought!
Elizabeth is surprised by a visit from Darcy. Their conversation is best described as awkward. Elizabeth eventually is emboldened to ask Darcy about his sudden departing from Netherfield. Darcy suggests that Bingley is not likely to return there because of his connections in London. After Darcy leaves, Charlotte tells Elizabeth that the only explanation for Darcy's odd behaviour in calling on her is that he must be in love with her. Elizabeth finds this idea hard to believe.
Whilst visiting her cousin and his new wife Charlotte, Elizabeth is invited to dine with Lady Catherine De Bourgh. Whilst the other guests are somewhat overshadowed and dominated by Lady Catherine, Elizabeth is the equal.
It transpires that lady Catherine has guests of a higher breeding coming to stay. one of whom is a certain Mr Darcy.
Pride and Prejudice illustrates that love and marriage in Austen's England were tied to questions of money.
Lizzy's affectionate aunt nips off her budding romance with the penniless Wickham, who subsequently courts an heiress.
Mr Bingley's sister advises Jane that they are staying in London for the foreseeable future effectively warning her off her brother. This follows the rejection by Lizzie of her cousins marriage proposal. Their cousin then turns to their neighbour Charlotte Lucas whom they thought of as a friend and she agrees to his marriage proposal. This means that upon Mr Bennett's death that she will become the lady of the house.
Mrs Bennett is not amused!
The Bennet sisters are visited by their cousin who is the sole heir to their family estate. His visit is an opportunity for him to get to know his wider family. It is not long before marraige is proposed.
The lives of the Bingley's and the Bennet's continue to be interwoven. A ball at Mr Bingley's Netherfield house is the talk of the area.
The enigmatic Mr Wickham does not accept the invitation and it becomes clear to Elizabeth that there is ill feeling between him and Mr Darcy. She is more accepting of Mr Wickham even though her family and friends suggest caution in that regard.
As a result of a trip into the nearby town, Elizabeth is introduced to a new officer recruit. He piques Elizabeth's interest as he knows Mr Darcy well.
Mother Nature confirms the devastating impact that the Rock Gods are having on the young people of Rock. Johnny and his friends are tasked with finding a way to avert the disaster. Whilst at the same time trying to thwart the greedy ambitions of their King.
Can Johnny find his one love Celia and why is it raining men?
Johnny and Louis narrowly escape the clutches of the rock god Sleigher but it's only a temporary respite. Johnny's plans for a Battle of the Bands takes a turn for the worse.
There is little hope now for the survival of the young people of Rock. Maybe there best option is damage limitation especially when they are betrayed.
Johnny and Marker meet back up with the witches. Mother Nature visits Johnny and he realises that the World Of Rock! is dying. The Gods will not stop until the soul of every rockling is consumed. So now Johnny has to find his own friends, find the Queens daughter and save the entire race of humans on Planet Rock!
He suggests a plan which is risky to say the least but first he and Marker have to go and try to rescue their friends Louis and Marie from the rock god Sleigher. Unfortunately Sleigher hasn't read the script and things don't work out as Johnny had hoped. Can he use his skills to save the day whilst Doctor Death waits patiently in the wings?
Johnny befriends a small group of runaways led by the enigmatic Reverend Faginthemouth and his mysterious number 2 Marker. Between them they try to prevent another Rock God from taking over the bodies of his fans. This rock god Slayer is not happy.
Johnny learns the cost of making enemies in this strange world and his increasingly frequent encounters with Doctor Death do not help with his sense of ease.
Johnny now has to travel alone to the capital city of The Maine Land having been entrusted by Queen Omron to find her missing daughter. First he must travel by sea with a band of wary sailors.
He forms new alliances but can they be trusted. Can anyone help him find his friends and more importantly keep him alive?
Johnny escapes the Kings clutches and seeks safe refuge from his estranged Queen. Whilst there Johnny and his witchy friend Nanny are invited to a garden party held by the Queen. They mix with the Lords and Ladies of the court. However, all is not as it seems and Johnny finds himself once again having to fight for his life.
Another nail biting episode sees our hero having to deal with a greedy King who has a fiery temper. A queen living her life as a Georgian consort. And a goblin with a strange dialect.
With the help of a witch he also has to try and rescue his friends from whatever calamity has befallen them in this strange world called Rock! Oh and if that wasn't enough he can see Doctor Death but for whose soul has he come knocking?
Johnny, the new Keyholder, has somehow rescued one of his friends Sarah from the clutches of the evil God of Thunder. She is safe now in the hands of friendly witches. Johnny needs to continue with his efforts to find his missing compatriots but Nanny Wartonachin is adamant that he needs her help.
Their next stop is the Isle Of Kings to check out the mysterious Court Jester but how can they get there quickly. Also it turns out that the King might not like Nanny, but will he have forgotten after 25 years.
Johnny meets 3 witches, Nanny, Nana and Granny. They offer him and Sarah a bed and a place to dry off.
It turns out Nanny has a secret. Johnny's presence threatens their status quo but what can he do? He must track down his other friends before it is too late but is anyone willing to help him.
Follow Johnny's journey through the magical world of Rock! Not everything is as it seems and that includes the characters that he meets along the way.
Johnny needs to rescue his friend Sarah now that she is in the clutches of the God of Thunder. But what can he do, he can't possibly take on a rock god.
He gets some help from Sushi and her merry band of Banshees but is she playing Johnny for a fool.
How will it end? Follow the continuing (mis)adventures as our hero battles all comers, including himself, to try and save his friends.
Johnny and his mentor, Bangdeedor, continue on their journey to find and rescue Johnny's friends. Johnny becomes more aware of his newly acquired skills with comical consequences. they attend an 'inngig' and realise how dangerous music can be in the World Of Rock!
follow the journey to see if Johnny can overcome his own demons and be the hero that his friends, old and new, need him to be.
In this episode we continue to follow the lives of the Bennett sisters. Mr Bingley at Netherfield is enchanted by Jane Bennett. However her younger sister Elizabeth continues to display contempt for the likes of Mr Darcy. He finds himself becoming more and more 'interested' despite and maybe because of Elizabeth's indifference.
It also becomes more apparent that Mr Bingley's younger sister is however attracted to Mr Darcy, who seems to enjoy the attention.
After a falling out Johnnie sets out on his own to track down his friends. His new found friend Donna Key journeys with him but is helpless when Johnnie is captured by the Banshee's and taken to meet their Queen - Sushi.
Sushi and the Banshees are a threat to all rocklings as they use them either as slaves or as food. What can Johnnie do? Is he too destined to end up in the meat grinder?
In the era pf the Napoleonic wars English Society dictated that you behaved appropriate to your class and social standing. estates could only be inherited via the male line of the family. As Mr Bennet only had daughters none would be entitled to his estate upon his death. The mission was clear for Mr and Mrs bennet in that they embarked on a journey to ensure that suitable suitors need to be found for each of their daughters.
The recent arrival of a Military officers camp provided a source of potential suiters. As did the arrival of Mr Bingley to take over Netherfield Park. He, along with his friends and family, are much amused with the behaviours of the Bennet family. However Mr Bingley takes rather a fancy to the Bennet's eldest daughter Jane and a certain Mr Darcy becomes increasingly alarmed at his own attention to the rather feisty Elizabeth Bennet
Rock! is an unusual place as Johnnie and his mentor Bangdeedor begin to understand as they continue their journey to find Johnnies friends. There are a few bad people out there as well as some dodgy gods all looking for a quick and easy win. As an apprentice keyholder can Johnnie learn new skills to keep both himself , Bangdeedor and his friends alive long enough to return home.
The World of Rock! continues to deliver a fast paced, fun, fantasy adventure.
Here we learn more about the relationship between Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy. The characters of Bingley and Darcy are opposed. Bingley is easy-going and amiable and trusts his friend’s judgement entirely, while Darcy is cleverer but haughty and reserved. Bingley’s character brings him popularity while Darcy is likely to give offence. This is highlighted by the sisters Jane and Elizabeth who are to be the love interests of both.
In this episode we follow our hapless but loveable heroes as they discover a gateway to another world. What fate awaits them as they take their first steps in discovering the magical world of Rock?
Listen as Johnnie meets a talking traffic light called Bangdeedoor, an eccentric old man - part wizard, part philosopher - who seems to want Johnnie to learn the ways of his world when all Johnnie wants to do is run away and hide, and, maybe have a nice cup of tea!
Pride and Prejudice, a romantic novel by Jane Austen, published anonymously in three volumes in 1813.
A classic of English literature, written with incisive wit and superb character delineation, it centres on the burgeoning relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner. They must overcome the titular sins of pride and prejudice in order to fall in love and marry.
Upon publication, Pride and Prejudice was well received by critics and readers. The first edition sold out within the first year, and it has never been out of print.
This is a funny, colourful story of 4 young people who nefariously are transported into another world. This land is called Rock and the people who live there are called Rocklings. They live a much more simpler life but the gods are always looking for a way to gain power and to control their flock.
The hero of our tale is Johnnie, a very clever young man, socially awkward, drifting through life unsure and very frightened of what the future may hold in store for him. Rather than confront it he simply spends his days like every other young adult dreaming of ways to get drunk or (preferably) laid. That was until he met Bangdeedoor a magician from Rock! who journeys with him through the mysterious lands whilst trying to teach him the skills he will need to defeat the gods who are amassing and looking to take over the land.