The next morning, David finds his great-aunt in deep contemplation (with regard his fate) to the extent of allowing the urn to overflow and inundate the table with tea. As David partakes of breakfast, he can’t help but wonder what her great-aunt has decided (with regard his fate). Presently, she informs him that she has written to Mr. Murdstone, and that it remains to be seen what will become of David. David lets his great-aunt know that he has no wish to return to the Murdstones.
When breakfast has concluded, and the table cleared and cleaned by Miss Betsey herself, she commissions David to look in on Mr. Dick. David eagerly performs his commission. He finds Mr. Dick at work on his memorial. They share a laugh, and David returns to tell his great-aunt that Mr. Dick is doing well. Presently, Miss Betsey tells David about Mr. Dick. His real name is Richard Babley. Considered by many to be mad, he had been committed to a mental asylum by his own brother only to be taken custody of by Miss Betsey who regarded Mr. Dick “the most friendly and amenable creature in existence.” She explains that Mr. Dick had a loving sister who married an abusive husband, and that that is the cause of Mr. Dick’s perceived mental instability.
His great-aunt’s championing the cause of Mr. Dick gives David cause to believe that she will champion him—David. By and by, his great-aunt receives a reply (to her letter). She informs David that Mr. Murdstone will pay her a visit tomorrow.
The wait is excruciating for David. The wait is made worse by Mr. Murdstone’s delay in arriving. Miss Betsey orders dinner to be prepared. Suddenly a donkey is spotted outside. Miss Betsey commissions Janet to chase away the donkey, the rider of which happens to be Miss Murdstone. (Mr. Murdstone is not far behind.) As Janet executes her commission, Miss Betsey spots the principle offender, a boy who apparently profits from the donkey business. Miss Betsey goes outside to apprehend the boy. The boy manages to get away.
Presently, Miss Betsey invites the Murdstones into her house. Despite David’s wish to do otherwise, she makes him stay. She summons and introduces Mr. Dick as her principle adviser, and the business of settling David’s fate begins. Mr. Murdstone makes his case. He finds David to be disobedient and intractable, but as he is David’s step father he will not shirk his duties: He will take care of David. Consequently, if Miss Betsey won’t object, he will take custody of David this instant and see to David’s upbringing as he sees fit in accordance with his resources. Otherwise, he will assume Miss Betsey will take full responsibility of the boy, and from here on out he will bar his door from David. Miss Murdstone agrees with her brother’s assessment and proposal. When David is asked what he would like to do, he makes it unequivocally clear that he would have nothing to do with the Murdstones.
Subsequently, David’s great-aunt cross examines Mr. Murdstone. She wonders if David was Mr. Murdstone’s flesh and blood that he would employ him in the custom house. She wonders what had become of David’s deceased mother’s annuity, and being told that David’s mother had put implicit trust in Mr. Murderstone with regard all decisions, berates him for taking advantage of a woman whose notion of worldly affairs was equivalent to a baby’s. When she asks Mr. Dick what should be done with the boy and Mr. Dick replies that David ought to be fitted with new clothes (David is currently wearing clothes belonging to Mr. Dick, the rags David had had on his back having been burned by Janet) David’s great-aunt makes it unequivocally clear that she herself will see to David’s upbringing. Miss Murdstone objects to no avail. Miss Betsey berates Mr. Murdstone for having abused Clara Copperfield’s trust and confidence and assures Miss Murdstone that her bonnet would be knocked off and treaded upon if she dared to set foot on her turf of green ever again.
And thus David begins his new life.