Little Dorrit, Chapter 25 summary

Chapter 25 of 70 · Book 1: Poverty · 17 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 25, Mr Pancks gathers Mr Rugg and John Chivery for dinner and divides a secret inquiry among them, with John eager to serve Miss Dorrit. Away from this work, Pancks finds relief in brief visits to John Baptist Cavalletto, whose cheerfulness survives poverty and his neighbors’ prejudice.

What happens

Pancks works late with his landlord, Mr Rugg, and recruits Young John for mysterious journeys, paying his mother for his time.
At a Sunday dinner, the Ruggs welcome John sympathetically as a devoted admirer of Miss Dorrit.
Pancks distributes investigative tasks and travel money, while Miss Rugg laughs at John’s offer to work without reward.
The residents of Bleeding Heart Yard gradually accept Cavalletto, though their efforts to help him remain patronizing.
Pancks visits Cavalletto, discovers his carving work and cheerful habits, and begins making brief, refreshing calls on him.