Nicholas finds life at Dotheboys ha

Nicholas finds life at Dotheboys hard
and is appalled by the cruel treatment given the to boys
and to Smike, who runs away. Nicholas has a fistfight
with Squeers and leaves the school. On his way back to
London, Nicholas finds Smike and agrees to take him
with him. Nicholas finds cheap lodgings in London and a
job as a private French teacher. When Nicholas visits his
mother and sister, he overhears his uncle telling them that
he is a thief who has stolen a ring from Squeers and has
run away with one of the children. Nicholas argues with
Ralph and tries to defend himself from all the accusations
but finally decides to leave London once again so as to
protect his mother and sister.