Our Mutual Friend, Book 2: Birds of a Feather, Chapter 6 summary

What happens

1. In their new shared chambers, Eugene jokes that kitchen equipment and orderly bill storage encourage domestic responsibility.
2. Mortimer questions Eugene about his secretive absences, but Eugene claims not to understand his own interests or intentions.
3. Charley Hexam and Bradley Headstone arrive to challenge Eugene's visits to Lizzie and his payment for her lessons.
4. Eugene dismisses Charley's demands and deliberately provokes Bradley, whose jealousy and anger become increasingly visible.
5. After Charley leaves the room, Bradley asserts his standing, supports Charley's objections, and warns Eugene against continuing.
6. Mortimer presses Eugene about Lizzie, but Eugene denies plans either to marry or abandon her and offers no clear explanation.

In this chapter

What to notice

Eugene acknowledges no purpose behind conduct that deeply concerns everyone else. His lack of a plan leaves Mortimer's questions about responsibility unanswered.

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