Reading the Chunksters discussion

Since the last one was so late, I'll do another now so that we are back on track. This covers chapters 9 to 12 of Book 3.

Chapter summaries:
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9. Milvey conducts Mrs Higden’s funeral. Sloppy, Mrs Milvey, Rokesmith and Bella are the only mourners. Afterwards Lizzie tells them what she knows. Rokesmith and Bella discuss Lizzie – Rokesmith wants to find out why she wants her location kept secret and asks Bella to talk to her. They also discuss Boffin’s treatment of Rokesmith and he praises Bella’s sympathy for him. Bella then talks to Lizzie. Lizzie wants to thank the man who obtained Riderhood’s retraction and denies that this had anything to do with her hiding. She talks about Charley, Headstone and Wrayburn and admits she loves Wrayburn but knows that she has no future with him due to his position. She also tells Bella’s fortune.

10. Wrayburn goes to see Jenny, and asks her to make him a dress. She refuses and guesses that Wrayburn is trying to find out where Lizzie is.Wrayburn does home and talks to Lightwood, who has seen Riah, who expects Wrayburn to pay him, which Wrayburn laughs off. Jenny’s drunken father (aka Mr Dolls, the bad boy) calls on them and says he can help them find Lizzie. They give him alcohol, and he explains that he can intercept her letters from Jenny, then falls asleep. Wrayburn then tells Lightwood that he is being followed by Headstone, and explains how he plays games with him, leading him all around the city. He takes Lightwood out to demonstrate. They see Headstone, whose face impresses Lightwood.

11. Headstone remains outside Wrayburn and Lightwood’s building when they go in. He convinces himself Lizzie is there and sneaks in to investigate, hearing only male voices. He comes out to find a man talking to the nightwatchman, wanting to deliver a letter from his daughter to them. This is Riderhood. As they walk off together, he talks to Headstone and asks for his help in securing a job as lock keeper. They talk about Wrayburn and Lizzie. Headstone gives Riderhood money and he agrees to help.

12. The Lammles at breakfast discuss their mounting financial problems. Mrs Lammle proposes telling Boffin what Bella told her about the Secretary’s proposal. Fledgeby arrives, and Mrs Lammle talks to him, asking him to ask Riah for a further delay in their paying their debt to him, to which Fledgeby agrees, Fledgeby goes to see Riah, but tells him to call in the debt immediately.
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Wrayburn is playing a dangerous game and for no real purpose. I wish they'd just all leave Lizzie alone. She seems happy in her little cottage.

I'm also glad that Lizzie and Bella have become friends.

Once again I apparently missed some fortune telling bit. I need to go back and look at what I missed in Lizzie telling Bella's fortune. II was wondering what I had missed from the title of the chapter "subject of a prediction".

I find both Wrayburn and Headstone's stalking repulsive and I agree with Jess - everyone just needs to leave poor Lizzie alone. Including her brother.

I'm also glad that Bella and Lizzie have become friends. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out. Like Bella said, they were each thrown into the middle of this mess without their consent.

I enjoyed the Lammle's chapter, planning a way to obtain money from the Boffins. I'm looking forward to seeing how that goes, especially since Mr Boffin has taken a liking to all the books about misers.

While some wish they would all leave Lizzie alone, if she does love Wrayburn, then I hope he continues his stalking her and makes an 'honest woman' out of her. Actually, its Lizzie who could make something more out of him.
(On another note, when I see the name Eugene Wrayburn I'm reminded of the American TV game show host Gene Rayburn - someone Brits would not know).

I like it when villains pair off. This book has so many characters that we get 2 such pairings as Headstone/Riderhood joins the Wegg/Venus duo from the last segment. Double the pleasure, double the fun.
Then there's also the Lammle pair and/or Fledgely/Lammle - a plethora of villains here.

Brian wrote: "While some wish they would all leave Lizzie alone, if she does love Wrayburn, then I hope he continues his stalking her and makes an 'honest woman' out of her. Actually, its Lizzie who could make s..."

You make a good point. Although this then makes me wonder why he didn't just tell Jenny Wren his intentions and have her forward them onto Lizzie. Or something of that effect! But it makes for better drama to go about sneaking, I guess. :)