Vanity Fair
Chapter 38: A Family in a Very Small Way
by William Makepeace Thackeray
Rebecca behaves as expected. Little Rawdon makes a new friend. Amelia devotes her time to little George. Amelia is affected by news from Dobbin's Sister.
Rebecca behaves as expected. Little Rawdon makes a new friend. Amelia devotes her time to little George. Amelia is affected by news from Dobbin's Sister.
They continue on their way and come to an ogre’s castle. He discovers that the castle is nothing but a pigsty watched over by swineherds. He buys the hogs and sets them free. Sandy insists that they are enchanted ladies. When the pigs are brought home, the Yankee begins to believe her.
Woot, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow continue on their journey. They decide to explore the city of the Loons and discover curious creatures that capture them. They escape and continue on their journey, their curiosity satisfied.
A tale of a young man, seduced by the mystery of Lord Ruthven. He soon finds that there are aspects to the Lord which he did not first recognize for what they were. Aubrey finds love, but his happiness is not lasting. He makes an oath to Ruthven, the consequences of which are devastating.
Pip continues to become acquainted with the Wemmick's, Pockets', and Jaggers.
Two of Musgrave’s domestic servants disappear after he catches the butler looking at the Musgrave ritual. He asks for Holmes’s assistance in finding them.
An old couple was never able to have children and the old man sets out to find one. Through magic he acquires a daughter, but she is stolen by an eagle. The eagle takes care of her because he sees her as a good omen and she grows up in his nest. Later in her life, she is discovered by a prince. The girl is tricked by an old woman and brought down from the trees in order to marry the prince and lives happily ever after.
The Tuskegee Institute receives an esteemed guest. Booker's long-standing beliefs begin to change with his continued positive experiences with the southern whites.
The narrator's strange condition causes him to develop an acute fear.
George rethinks his choices, turning to Amelia once more.
Godfrey fears that his secret will be discovered by his father. After an accident at the hunt, Dunstan pays a visit to Silas' cottage.
The two girls get more eccentric in their ways. Clara begins to wear knickers and Ida wears a short skirt. The two girls then throw a dinner party for Harold and Charles. That is the last straw for the Doctor and he realizes the error of his ways.
A folk tale about three brothers. The two elder brothers are terrible to the younger and to the people of the town. The younger brother is good-natured and invites a strange man into the house one evening. The other two show him no hospitality and lose everything because of their bad temperaments.
The newlyweds return to New York where Newland avoids a chance encounter with Ellen.
There is news of the Princess’s death.
Herbert and Pip construct a plan for Magwitch's escape.
Booker's travels throughout Europe introduce him to a number of new teaching methods, as well as instilling a since of hope for equality in the United States.
Sylvie asks the Professor for help.
After falling asleep for a short while, Jane awakes to the realization that she must leave Thornfield. When she steps out of her room, she finds Rochester waiting in a chair on the threshold. To Rochester’s assurances that he never meant to wound her, and to his pleas of forgiveness, Jane is silent, although she confides to the reader that she forgave him on the spot. Jane suddenly feels faint, and Rochester carries her to the library to revive her. He then offers her a new proposal—to leave England with him for the South of France, where they will live together as husband and wife. Jane refuses, explaining that no matter how Rochester chooses to view the situation, she will never be more than a mistress to him while Bertha is alive. Rochester realizes that he must explain why he does not consider himself married, and he launches into the story of his past.
Joseph flees as rumors of defeat spread. Peggy and Amelia care for the wounded. George's time at war ends.
Mrs. March departs after receiving word of Mr. March's health. Jo makes a sacrifice to provide for the family.
Riding in a coach, Jane quickly exhausts her meager money supply and is forced to sleep outdoors. She spends much of the night in prayer, and the following day she begs for food or a job in the nearby town. No one helps her, except for one farmer who is willing to give her a slice of bread. After another day, Jane sees a light shining from across the moors. Following it, she comes to a house. Through the window, Jane sees two young women studying German while their servant knits. From their conversation Jane learns that the servant is named Hannah and that the graceful young women are Diana and Mary. The three women are waiting for someone named St. John. Jane knocks on the door, but Hannah refuses to let her in. Collapsing on the doorstep in anguish and weakness, Jane cries, “I can but die, and I believe in God. Let me try to wait His will in silence.” A voice answers, “All men must die, but all are not condemned to meet a lingering and premature doom, such as yours would be if you perished here of want.” The voice belongs to “St. John,” who brings Jane into the house. He is the brother of Diana and Mary, and the three siblings give Jane food and shelter. They ask her some questions, and she gives them a false name: “Jane Elliott.”
The narrator experiences tragedy, but is reunited with his love through an unconventional occurrence.
The narrator describes the Ward’s heron and his experiences looking for them.