# Five-and-Twenty explained — Little Dorrit > Chapter companion for Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. ## What happens Arthur Clennam is troubled by Mr. Pancks's investigations into the Dorrit family, fearing they might reveal secrets about his mother's past. Meanwhile, Mr. Meagles arrives in distress because Tattycoram has run away after refusing to count five-and-twenty, a phrase he used to calm her temper. The incident occurred after Pet Meagles showed affection for Henry Gowan, which upset Tattycoram. Mr. Meagles and Arthur search for Miss Wade, believing she may know where Tattycoram has gone, but their inquiries in a gloomy London street yield no information. ## Themes in this chapter ### Social Class and Hypocrisy Tattycoram's rebellion against the Meagles family highlights tensions between servants and masters, and the hypocrisy of expecting gratitude despite her disadvantaged background. ### Secrecy and Revelation Arthur's anxiety about Mr. Pancks's investigations into the Dorrit family underscores the theme of hidden truths and the potential for past wrongs to be exposed. ### Identity and Social Mobility Tattycoram's struggle with her identity as a foundling and her desire for a different life reflect the challenges of social mobility in Victorian society. ## Character check-ins ### Arthur Clennam Troubled by Mr. Pancks's investigations into the Dorrit family and concerned about his mother's secrets; accompanies Mr. Meagles in searching for Miss Wade. ### Mr. Meagles Distraught over Tattycoram's disappearance; explains the events leading to her flight and seeks Arthur's help in finding Miss Wade. ### Tattycoram Flees the Meagles household after refusing to count five-and-twenty, driven by pride and passion; her whereabouts are unknown. ### Pet Meagles Mentioned as being upset over her feelings for Henry Gowan, which contributed to the household tension that triggered Tattycoram's outburst. ### Miss Wade Sought by Mr. Meagles and Arthur as a possible contact for Tattycoram; not found during their search. ### Mr. Pancks His investigations into the Dorrit family cause Arthur unease, though he does not appear directly in the chapter. ## Key lines > A frequently recurring doubt, whether Mr. Pancks’s desire to collect information relative to the Dorrit family could have any possible bearing on the misgivings he had imparted to his mother on his return from his long exile, caused Arthur Clennam much uneasiness at this period. Arthur Clennam was often troubled by the thought that Mr. Pancks's interest in the Dorrit family might be connected to the doubts he had shared with his mother after returning from his long time abroad. _Arthur's internal conflict about Pancks's motives is introduced._ > Wouldn’t count five-and-twenty, sir; couldn’t be got to do it; stopped at eight, and took herself off. She refused to count to twenty-five, wouldn't be made to do it, stopped at eight, and ran away. _Mr. Meagles explains Tattycoram's refusal to use the calming technique he taught her._ > I am bursting with hate of the whole house. I am filled with hatred for everyone in this household. _Tattycoram's angry outburst before fleeing._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters/xxvii-five-and-twenty - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/little_dorrit_se/chapters