A part of a collection of short stories about three children in the revolutionary times. This story describes the excitement of the children in their anticipation for Christmas and the gathering of their special tree.
Phileas and Passepartout are detained upon arrival in Calcutta, but quickly depart to Hong Kong after posting bond, much to detective Fix's disappointment.
Mark kills an alligator that has attacked a young boy. Mark brings the boy back to their home. Later, Mark and the men go back for the alligator.
Sophie helps Jane dress for the wedding, and Rochester and Jane walk to the church. Jane notes a pair of strangers reading the headstones in the churchyard cemetery. When Jane and Rochester enter the church, the two strangers are also present. When the priest asks if anyone objects to the ceremony, one of the strangers answers: “The marriage cannot go on: I declare the existence of an impediment.” Rochester attempts to proceed with the ceremony, but the stranger explains that Rochester is already married—his wife is a Creole woman whom Rochester wed fifteen years earlier in Jamaica. The speaker explains that he is a solicitor from London, and he introduces himself as Mr. Briggs. He produces a signed letter from Richard Mason affirming that Rochester is married to Mason’s sister, Bertha. Mr. Mason himself then steps forward to corroborate the story. After a moment of inarticulate fury, Rochester admits that his wife is alive and that in marrying Jane he would have been knowingly taking a second wife. No one in the community knows of his wife because she is mad, and Rochester keeps her locked away under the care of Grace Poole. But, he promises them all, Jane is completely ignorant of Bertha’s existence. He orders the crowd to come to Thornfield to see her, so that they may understand what impelled him to his present course of action.
Hunger turns to desperation, until the men find water. Unfortunate events lead to further troubles.
Jane’s driver is late picking her up from the station at Millcote. When she finally arrives at Thornfield it is nighttime. Although she cannot distinguish much of the house’s facade from among the shadows, she finds the interior “cosy and agreeable.” Mrs. Fairfax, a prim, elderly woman, is waiting for Jane. It turns out that Mrs. Fairfax is not, as Jane had assumed from their correspondence, the owner of Thornfield, but rather the housekeeper. Thornfield’s owner, Mr. Rochester, travels regularly and leaves much of the manor’s management to Mrs. Fairfax. Jane learns that she will be tutoring Adèle, an eight-year-old French girl whose mother was a singer and dancer. Mrs. Fairfax also tells Jane about Rochester, saying that he is an eccentric man whose family has a history of extreme and violent behavior. Suddenly, Jane hears a peal of strange, eerie laughter echoing through the house, and Mrs. Fairfax summons someone named Grace, whom she orders to make less noise and to “remember directions.” When Grace leaves, Mrs. Fairfax explains that she is a rather unbalanced and unpredictable seamstress who works in the house.
David and Tommy Traddles are called to the Micawber home.
Jurgis learns english as his involvement in the union increases. Jurgis is encouraged to vote. Jurgis becomes aware of the many corrupt practices that are prevalent in various industries.
The boys find themselves in danger, but narrowly escape. However, the source of their concern is not far away when they finally find land once again.
Jim meets Ben Gunn. Ben tells him useful information about the lost treasure. In return for helping him with a safe passage home, Ben gives him refuge at his house.
Svidrigailov asks for Raskolnikov's help in finding Dunya. Svidrigailov recounts the circumstances of his marriage.
Livesey takes the map and goes to speak with Ben Gunn. Jim spies Silver and his men and heads for the Hispaniola.
The narrator makes a request to the reader.
Livesey arrives to tend to the pirates. Livesey asks for a private meeting with Jim. Silver grants him his wish. Livesey chastises Jim for deserting the Captain. He tries to convince him that they should flee. Jim refuses.
Bertuccio finishes telling his story for why he fears the house Auteuil to the Count of Monte Cristo. The Count and Bertuccio then return to the house in Paris.
Aunt Sally becomes suspicious after a number of items disappear, only to re-appear later. Huck and Tom bake a "witch pie" for Jim.
Marian waits for the letter, and is met by the Count. Laura returns from the search for her brooch with news of her own strange encounter. Marian is awoken from a strange, dream-like state in which she has a vision of Walter.
The travelers continue on their journey across the American continent with some interruption.
Upon reporting to the academy at West Point, Henry gets his first taste of life as a Plebe.
The expense of owning the house begins to absorb all of the family's money, while Jurgis is approached by union personnel. Both Antanas and Marija find jobs, however the circumstances surrounding each job are questionable.
Monsieur Noirtier's servant dies.
Will is lucky to find assistance back to camp. The boys once again extend kindness to George. They decide to head farther down the river. During the night’s watch Bluff lets his guard down.
Chaos and death continue to overtake the spread as vessels become jammed on the river. The narrator's brother witness the arrival of another cylinder, and later attempts to escape on a steamer. The Thunder Child battles with the tripods.
Victor becomes a slave to his fears and destroys his work on the second creature incurring the wrath of the monster. The monster threatens him and Victor decides to continue on with Henry. He dumps the remains of the second creature in the ocean and is accused of a murder committed the night before.