David is even willing to wake up early to recite stories such as Arabian Nights to the older boy at his request. Steerforth continues to be David's idol, earning more of his respect than even the two masters of Salem House, Mr. The one good thing about the beatings is that the sign is removed from David's back, for it gets in the way of Mr. Creakle is very brutal and will hit any boy in the school except for Steerforth-who says that he would certainly hit Mr. As they are eating, the boys tell David that Mr. The first thing that Steerforth does is take all seven shillings that Peggotty and his mother gave David upon his departure-under the pretense of 'taking care of it.' He convinces David to buy wine, biscuits, almond cakes, and fruit for the whole room. David also meets the much anticipated James Steerforth, whom he refers to as simply Steerforth. In fact, all of the boys, gloomy from having to return, don't even pay much attention to the sign, to David's delight. Creakle begins to laugh madly, scaring David so much that he runs out of the room.ĭavid meets Tommy Traddles, a large, good-natured boy who finds David's sign hilarious, although not in a mean way. When David dares to ask if he can remove the sign before the boys return, Mr. Creakle emphasizes that he is a very strict and harsh man, even hinting that he once banished his own son for challenging him. Creakle, the school's headmaster, who seems intimidating.

Mell informs David that he is to meet Mr. After about a month of living alone at the boarding school, the man with the wooden stump begins cleaning the rooms of the buildings, signaling the return of the boys and teachers.

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