I get the book back

Just got a notice from my library that my "hold" is ready for pick-up. This would be the book I returned last night. I actually find this amusing, ha-ha. A quirk in the universe. Guess I'll pick it up tomorrow then.

One-quarter done

Read for a few hours and then made the 8 pm closing time for the library. So, hopefully, no added late fee. Let's see, David returns to Blunderstone and the Murdstones, who pretty much ignore him, they feed him and keep a roof over his head (his roof, not theirs, they stole it) but neglect him in every-other way as if they would rather he didn't exist. He is to have no further education, just a lost, young soul wandering the countryside by day. They hardly even allow him friends, Peggotty visits, and once-in-a-rare while he is allowed to visit Mr. Chillup. Eventually he is sent to London to work as a bottle-sorter/label paster for Murdstone's business. Working for a Mr. Quinnon. He is to pay for his food with his earnings there, and Murdstone will pay to have him boarded somewhere, as well as for laundry. He is 10 years old.

He is miserable in the job, seeing no future prospects nor friends. Luckily for him, the man he is to board with is a Mr. Micawber. The Micawbers take David into their confidence and provide him with the only bright spot of his time in London. Alas, Micawber ends up in debtor's prison, and soon his family joins him. David is set up in a new situation near the prison and regularly visits them. When Micawber is released, the family moves to Portsmouth. When David learns of this, he cannot bear London without them, so he plans his escape. After they depart, he slyly leaves his job, and goes to find Betsey Trotwood, his late father's aunt, in Dover. He walks there over the course of a week. When he finds her, he is a disheveled mess. She brings him in. She learns his story, writes a letter to the Murdstones regarding him and they wait. The Murdstones arrive, Betsey lays into them for their cold, calculated cruelty toward both David and his mother. They are frightened of her. She keeps David and sends them away. That's as far as I've gotten. Am now awaiting my turn with the book again.

Past due

Well, crud. I missed my renewal notice, although I was wondering why it hadn't come up for renewal, and now it's due back because someone else has a hold on it. So I had to put a hold and will have to wait to get it back after I return it...if that makes sense. It'll be awhile. It's a long book. Apparently, there are 11 copies and only 4 holds, including mine, but if there is a hold, you cannot renew. Silly. I'll try to read a little tonight, can't turn it in now anyway.

David goes with Peggotty to stay with her brother. He is excited to see Emily, but when he does, she has changed and is coy toward David, there are questions regarding Steerforth, and it seems Emily might be interested in him. David is as enthralled with her as ever. Barkis, the cart-driver, courts Peggotty. Near the end of David's visit, it is decided that he and Emily will take a holiday with Barkis and Peggotty. On the way, they stop at a church, Barkis and Peggotty go inside leaving David and Emily behind. David makes his move on Emily, and kisses her, confesses that he will always love her. Barkis and Peggotty return and we all find out that they have gotten married. The four spend the day in each other's company before returning late to the ship-home of Mr. Peggotty. Mr and Mrs. Barkis leave them for Barkis' home. Later, when David visits, we learn that Barkis is a miser. David returns to Blunderstone.