One day, David receives a letter from Mr. Micawber the contents of which David finds worrisome and perplexing. It worries David because Mr. Micawber mentions his intention to turn himself in to a debtor’s prison. It perplexes David because there’s only a hint of the underlying cause with regard to Mr. Micawber’s desperation.
Presently, Traddles arrives with a letter from Mrs. Micawber which he intends to show David and which David infers is the cause of Traddles’ distress, which is manifested by Traddles’ hair standing on end. David takes the opportunity to show Traddles the letter from Mr. Micawber.
According to Mrs. Micawber, Mr. Micawber is in dire straits of some sort, which he refuses to reveal. As she has discovered that Mr. Micawber will be in London, would Mr. Traddles get in touch with Mr. Copperfield and together meet with Mr. Micawber to talk some sense into him?
Subsequently, David and Traddles write Mrs. Micawber a reply, assuring her that they will intercept Mr. Micawber in London. After having the letter mailed, David and Traddles repair to David’s aunt’s house to seek David’s aunt’s counsel.
When David and Traddles intercept Mr. Micawber near the debtors’ prison, they notice Mr. Micawber’s disheveled appearance. He is also stiff and formal, prompting David to remind Mr. Micawber that Mr. Micawber need not stand on ceremony. Mr. Micawber regains a bit of his old, congenial self, but on the whole, he remains insular and secretive. David proposes that they all repair to his aunt’s house.
At David’s aunt’s house, Mr. Dick, who is has soft spot for the unfortunate and the downtrodden, welcomes Mr. Micawber with a perpetual handshake. Mr. Micawber is reminded that he is among friends and therefore he is free to speak his mind when all of sudden, while mixing punch, which he makes a hash of, Mr. Micawber breaks down in tears. Then, in a hodgepodge of words that his hosts really can’t make heads or tails of, Mr. Micawber curses Uriah Heep and runs out of the house, declaring that he would have his former life and happiness back.
Shortly thereafter, David receives a letter from Mr. Micawber wherein he apologizes for his inexplicable behavior, and wherein he asserts his determination to do what’s necessary to be able to look his fellow man in the eyes without shame or misgivings.