The novel opens on a dreary November afternoon at Gateshead, the home of the wealthy Reed family. A young girl named Jane Eyre sits in the drawing room reading Bewick’s History of British Birds. Jane’s aunt, Mrs. Reed, has forbidden her niece to play with her cousins Eliza, Georgiana, and the bullying John. John chides Jane for being a lowly orphan who is only permitted to live with the Reeds because of his mother’s charity. John then hurls a book at the young girl, pushing her to the end of her patience. Jane finally erupts, and the two cousins fight. Mrs. Reed holds Jane responsible for the scuffle and sends her to the “red-room”—the frightening chamber in which her Uncle Reed died—as punishment.
As the Ghost approaches another boat, Hump, having recognized Johnson and Leach, attempts to ensure clemency for the two sailors.
A Prince in disguise provides assistance to a stranger.
David decides he will use the new situation to his advantage. Dr. Strong agrees to hire David as his secretary. David becomes suspicious of Jack Malden's intentions towards Annie. Mr. Micawber tells David and Tommy of his plans in Canterbury.
A part of a collection of short stories about three children in the revolutionary times. A story that continues to describe the traditions of Christmas. The three children receive a special visit from Santa, who distributes their Christmas presents.
Mina, Jonathan’s girlfriend, writes letters back and forth to her friend Lucy about the young men in her life, Dr. Jack Seward and Quincey Morris. Arthur Holmwood introduced Lucy to Quincey Morris.
Jurgis returns with a midwife, but the baby is dead and Ona is dying. After Ona's death, Jurgis leaves the house intending to drink.
Dobbin makes a purchase for Amelia.
Huck is introduced to prayer. Huck's father Pap is rumored to have died, much to the relief of Huck. Tom's gang disbands.
Noah meets with Fagin and is given his first job.
Pip has dinner with Jaggers. Jaggers warns Pip about Drummle.
The group argues over the continuation of their plans. They discuss the reasons for rejoining the Swash.
Jurgis is sentenced to thirty days in jail. Stanislova visits Jurgis in jail.
The Twistytail family wait for Santa to arrive on Christmas Eve. The next morning the entire family opens their bountiful gifts. The author wishes the readers a merry christmas.
After their extended time at sea, Maud and Hump finally reach land.
Mugridge treats the new cabin boy harshly, ordering him around every chance he gets. An accident aboard the Ghost results in a new nickname for the narrator. "Hump" receives very little sympathy from the crew for his injuries.
They realize the swift boat they had attempted to race was Varmint and they stop in Poughkeepsie for lunch. They look for their lost companion, Sting, and dock for the night.
In order to weather the elements, Hump and Maud make use of their available materials.
Captain Larsen's, having become more possesive of Maud, excludes the crew from his table. Interference by the captain's brother, Death, results in monetary losses for the Ghost.
The small boat carrying Tom, Trelawney, Smollett, Livesey, Abraham, and the provisions is quite heavy. When a mutineer sends a cannonball at them, the ship sinks and they are forced to wade ashore.
After the passing of the storm, the Ghost surveys the area for lost ships and crew. Captain Larsen forcibly adopts new crew members, while continuing to terrify and mistreat his crew. Johnson and Leach finally attempt an escape aboard a sealing boat, setting sail for Japan, the discovery of which, prompts pursuit by Captain Larsen. As the Ghost approaches a nearby boat, Hump prepares to intervene with violence if necessary.
The Ghost, sets sail one last time, headed towards the coast of Japan. After a period of rough weather, the exhausted couple find themselves in more familiar seas. Hump and Maud finally admit their true feelings.
Grant realizes he has the wrong bag as he gets onto the motor boat. He discovers the bag is heavier than his and tries to think of a plan to get his back or at least open the mystery one. Fred and John seem to know something more about the luggage.
The author discusses the history and philosophy of counting.
A vagrant attempts in vain to be arrested.