Our Mutual Friend, Chapter 13 summary
Chapter 13 of 68 · Book 1: The Cup and the Lip · 16 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 13, Mortimer Lightwood, Eugene, and Mr. Inspector wait near Gaffer’s house to catch him, while Eugene grows troubled by his daughter’s loneliness and their secret watch. After hours without his return, Riderhood searches the river and reports finding Gaffer’s empty, damaged boat trapped between barges, leaving his whereabouts unknown.
What happens
- Mr. Inspector brings Lightwood and Eugene into the tavern under a lime-trading cover and agrees to spare Gaffer’s daughter distress if possible.
- Eugene visits the house window, sees Gaffer’s daughter crying, and hears her call for her absent father.
- Restless and uncomfortable with their secret task, Eugene and Lightwood leave the tavern and join the watchers beneath a boat.
- The men watch the river and house through the rising and falling tide, but Gaffer does not return.
- Riderhood rows away to search familiar river spots and returns with news of Gaffer’s empty boat, damaged and caught between barges.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Eugene feels implicated rather than righteous while helping the investigation. His discomfort follows his sight of the daughter crying alone.
Quick check
What does Riderhood find when he searches the river?
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