Middlemarch: Book 3, Chapter 24 Summary & Analysis

Unfortunately, only a couple of days after this transaction Diamond has a violent kicking fit and lames himself. Fred is despondent. He decides to confess everything to Mary, and worries that this means he should probably confess to Mrs. Garth, too. Mrs. Garth tends to be judgmental of other women, and “disproportionately indulgent towards the failings of men.” Fred finds her in the kitchen, giving a lesson to two of her children, Letty and Ben. Fred asks if these are her only pupils now, and Mrs. Garth explains that she is “at a low ebb with pupils” and as a result her income is small.  

Fred feels worried and guilty. At that moment Mr. Garth arrives, and Fred immediately confesses that he only has £50 toward his debt of £160. Mr. Garth looks embarrassed, and tries to casually inform his wife that he co-signed Fred’s debt. Mr. Garth says that this is all happening at an unfortunate moment, as Christmas is coming and the family is already struggling financially. He becomes more panicked as he wonders how they will possibly cobble together £110. Mrs. Garth says that she will give the £92 she had saved to pay for their son, Alfred, to be trained as an apprentice. She adds that Mary surely has £20 saved.

For the first time Fred feels genuine sorrow. He had only been worried about the Garths thinking badly of him, and had not even considered that his actions might put them in a position of financial difficulty. Fred promises to eventually pay them back, but Mrs. Garth snaps that this won’t help Alfred now. Mr. Garth also apologizes, saying he was wrong to co-sign the debt. Desperately upset and embarrassed, Fred leaves.

Mr. Garth apologizes to his wife again, but she responds kindly, saying it was silly of him not to tell her about it. Mrs. Garth says he needs to stop being so generous, and that he must go and ask Mary how much money she has saved. Mr. Garth is annoyed that this episode is interrupting “business,” which he views as basically sacred. His use of “business” refers to industrial construction and labor. Although he has immense practical skill and knowledge, Mr. Garth is terrible with finances. He is very popular because he works hard and often doesn’t even charge people for his labor. His family is poor, but they don’t mind.