About a half a mile into his journey, during which David has been crying his eyes out, Peggotty suddenly boards the carriage, and, without saying a word, she hands David a purse and gives him a heartfelt hug before alighting and heading back home. At the carriage driver’s behest, David stops crying only to be on the verge of crying again upon discovering in the purse, in addition to money, his mother’s letter of encouragement. Mr. Barkis, the carriage driver, however, persuades David to cheer up. Presently, they talk.
When David asks Mr. Barkis, the carriage driver, if he is going to drive all the way to London, Mr. Barkis, informs David that his beat-up horse would die if it ever tried to make such a long journey; he will take David only as far as Yarmouth. By and by, Mr. Barkis, having confirmed some conclusions with regard Peggotty—she isn’t married, for one—makes a special request of David: He would like David to transmit a message to Peggotty on his behalf. David agrees to do so and falls asleep.
At Yarmouth, David is ushered into a coffee-room where he is attended by a waiter who proceeds to serve up a banquet on behalf of David. Apparently, Mr. Murdstone had arranged and had paid for the banquet. Alas, the place is so alien and the waiter’s presence so unsettling that David loses his appetite. At this point, the waiter offers to help David finish off his banquet, which David consents to. The banquet done, David writes a letter to Peggotty and as promised includes Mr. Barkis’ message to Peggotty, which runs “Barkis is willin’.” By and by, David learns from the waiter that in the London school David is going to attend, a boy about his age had been punished by having his ribs broken.
When the signal for his ride to London is given, though he doesn’t have to, David asks the waiter if any money is owed. The waiter refers to his penury and the pitiful state of his family, compelling David to hand the waiter a shilling.
The ride to London is long and dreary for David. It begins inauspiciously as the coach driver and his fellow passengers make fun of David’s huge appetite, never mind that the waiter had eaten the greater portion of the banquet. Indeed, so mortified is he of their opinions that David refuses to have supper at a rest stop though he is hungry. On top of that, his fellow passengers snore most unpleasantly while they sleep, and David is made to endure an inconvenience on account of a luggage which is stowed beneath his feet.
David’s first impression of London is that it is at once the most exciting and wicked city in the world. Presently, he is made to wait at a clerk’s office in a depot when his London contact is nowhere to be found. While waiting, David wonders what would happen if his London contact never showed up, and his money ran out? Though on the verge of tears, he manages not to by identifying himself with the strong heroes he read about in his late father’s books.
Presently, a gaunt sallow, young man arrives and identifies himself as David’s London contact. He introduces himself as the Master of Salem House. (His name is Mr. Mell.) As the two proceed to Salem House, David recalls his luggage which he had left behind. Mr. Mell assures David that by arrangement the luggage will be picked up tomorrow. They proceed. And yet David is so tired, sleepy, and hungry, he asks Mr. Mell if they could stop for some food before continuing. Mr. Mell proposes that they shop for food and then go to some acquaintances of Mr. Mell’s where David could peaceably have his meal. David agrees.
Mr. Mell’s acquaintances are two old women occupying an apartment in a poor house. One of the old women is named Mrs. Fibbitson who has a fascination with fire. The other old woman is very fond of Mr. Mell on account of Mr. Mell’s flute playing. Presently, David enjoys his meal of bread, milk, eggs, and bacon when Mr. Mell begins to play his flute. He is so out of tune, David loses his appetite and begins to doze off.
Eventually, David and Mr. Mell arrive at Salem House. A stout man with a wooden leg admits them to the premises before returning Mr. Mell his shoes which the cobbler had found beyond mending. Upon entering Salem House, David finds that the interior is as unpromising as the exterior. He finds a placard with a written warning that ‘he bites,’ and thinking that this a reference to a dog, David climbs atop a desk. Mr. Mell explains that the he in ‘he bites’ is actually a reference to David, and that as Master Salem House, as regrettable as it is, one of his duties is to have David wear the placard hanging over his back. Mr. Mell also explains that there are no students at present as its summer vacation.
With trepidation, David waits for the day when the students will arrive. He imagines that they will all make fun of him and his placard.