Part 2, Act 1, Scenes 15-24 Summary

Scene 15. Once again Nicholas looks for work, and once again an opportunity as good as falls in his lap. He meets Mr. Charles Cheeryble as they're both looking at the situations wanted postings, they strike up a friendly conversation, and Mr. Charles asks to hear Nicholas' story as they ride the omnibus.

Scene 16. In Ralph's office, Ralph speaks to himself of his feelings for Kate, and how he feels it was, and is still, possible for her to be mistress of his home. Noggs interrupts with an urgent letter and shows in Squeers, who has come in hopes of receiving some kind of compensation from Ralph for Nicholas' behavior. When Squeers mentions Smike, Ralph becomes more interested and gets details of where Squeers is staying. Later, when Squeers is gone, Ralph realizes whom he has been talking...