Pip and Herbert have joined a club of useless men called “The Finches of the Grove,” who get together to eat expensive dinners and to quarrel. The two young men are seriously in debt and when they periodically panic about this, they arrange an elaborate dinner to sit down and go over the bills. Instead of paying them, they list and round off the amounts, then give themselves a “margin” to add on to the total debt, a margin they end up spending as well. Pip realizes he is dragging Herbert down with him and that at this rate, Herbert’s dreams will never be reached. He also knows that if they were not such good friends they would hate each other. Pip takes his frustrations out on the Avenger, a servant boy Pip employs. The Avenger, according to Pip, does little but eat Pip’s food. However on this morning, the boy’s only crime is to offer Pip a roll for breakfast, yet Pip responds by grabbing him by the collar, lifting him off his feet, and shaking him. The chapter ends with a note from Trabb and Co. that Mrs. Joe has died and Pip’s presence is requested for the next Monday’s interment.
