Chapter 21 Summary

The next morning David meets Steerforth's butler, Littimer. Littimer is very proper and makes David feel foolish and inexperienced. After a week of relaxing at Highgate, David and Steerforth set out for Yarmouth.

After arriving at Yarmouth, the two part for a few hours so that David can visit privately with Peggotty first. On his way to her house, he stops at the tailor shop to catch up on old times. He learns that Emily has been apprenticed to the tailor shop as a dressmaker. He is too shy to see her and instead goes on to Peggotty's house.

After a cheerful reunion with Peggotty and Barkis, Steerforth joins David. Then Steerforth and David go on to Peggotty's family home. Their visit interrupts an announcement that Emily and Ham are engaged. The whole group passes a pleasant evening discussing the upcoming marriage and...