What Will He Do with It?

In Short

This sprawling, Victorian-era narrative tracks the intersection of two very different lives: Lionel Haughton, a youth hoping to secure his future through a wealthy, estranged relative, and Waife, a mysterious, impoverished former actor traveling the country with his young charge, Sophy. As they navigate social divides, professional struggles, and the moral consequences of their actions, the story becomes a meditation on agency and integrity. It has remained a significant work for its intricate plotting and its enduring, philosophical inquiry into how individuals use the opportunities—or "capital"—that life provides them.

The Story

The narrative begins at a lively summer fair in Surrey, where two young men—Lionel, a student, and Vance, an artist—encounter an unlikely pair: "Gentleman" Waife, a crippled, blind-eyed performer, and his young, graceful charge, Sophy. Despite their poverty and the cruel demands of their manager, Mr. Rugge, the two share a profound, protective bond. Lionel and Vance are immediately drawn to them, intrigued by Waife’s scholarly manners and Sophy’s natural, unvulgarized charm. As the fair closes, Waife and Sophy hope to escape Rugge’s control, a goal that requires a small sum of money—a "fortune" to them—which they struggle to acquire while maintaining their dignity.

Simultaneously, Lionel faces his own turning point. He has been educated on the charity of a distant, wealthy cousin, Mr. Darrell, whom he has never met. After his mother inadvertently reveals the cold, transactional nature of Darrell’s support, Lionel feels humiliated and conflicted. When a letter arrives from Darrell inviting him for a visit, Lionel must decide whether to pursue this potential inheritance, which could secure his social standing but might require him to sacrifice his pride. He fears being viewed as a "penniless gentleman" or, worse, a sycophant.

As the paths of these characters briefly cross, the reader sees the stark contrast between their worlds. Vance and Lionel attempt to help Waife and Sophy by commissioning a portrait and offering funds, but the prideful Waife is hesitant to accept charity, fearing the stigma of his "vagrant" status. Eventually, Waife and Sophy vanish into the countryside, leaving behind only a brief, polite note. Lionel, meanwhile, embarks on the railway journey to meet Darrell, his mind preoccupied not only with his own uncertain future but with the fate of the little girl he left behind.

The story ultimately functions as a series of moral tests. Lionel struggles to reconcile his ambition with his sense of honor, while Waife continues to live a life of secret hardship, his past as a man of status hidden by the masks of a traveling performer. As the title suggests, the central question is not merely what these characters get from life, but what they do with the opportunities, misfortunes, and connections they are handed. Whether facing the condescension of the landed gentry or the physical degradation of the stage, each character must determine if their choices lead to integrity or compromise.

How It Unfolds

The encounter at the fair Lionel and Vance visit a village green, where they are struck by the dignity of a crippled performer and his young companion. They find themselves intervening in the miserable living conditions imposed upon the pair by a heartless manager.

The struggle for agency Waife and Sophy plot their escape from their contractual servitude, pinning their hopes on a small sum of money. The tension between their quiet, learned character and their public status as "vagrants" creates a poignant conflict.

The call to ambition Lionel receives a summons from a powerful, wealthy benefactor whose past correspondence implies a cold, disdainful view of his kin. He is left to ponder whether accepting the invitation constitutes a path to success or a surrender of his personal honor.

The departure and the test Waife and Sophy slip away into the night, leaving Lionel to continue his journey to his cousin's estate. The narrative shifts from the open-air freedom of the fair to the high-stakes, enclosed world of familial duty and social expectation.

The People

Lionel Haughton is a spirited, idealistic youth who seeks to build a future on his own terms. His desire to be a "penniless gentleman" stands in constant tension with his dependence on an aristocratic cousin.

Gentleman Waife is a complex, dignified vagrant whose history remains shrouded in mystery. Despite physical infirmity and social stigma, he manages his life with a scholar’s wit and a father’s protective love, viewing his own degradation as a necessary sacrifice for Sophy.

Sophy is a young, intuitive girl whose innocence remains untainted by the "vulgar" world of the traveling show. She is the anchor of Waife’s existence, serving as his "Antigone" and the central focus of his moral efforts.

Mr. Darrell is the wealthy, formidable cousin whose influence looms over Lionel’s life. He represents the cold, transactional power of the upper class, acting as a mirror for Lionel’s own anxieties regarding wealth and pride.

In Its Own Voice

"You enlighten me more and more," said our friend with the nose in the air, bowing respectfully,--"a tailor is gregarious, a cobbler solitary."

This exchange between the artist and a local cobbler highlights the book’s habit of finding philosophical patterns in the most mundane social trades.

"I don't hold her," said Waife, trying to push her away. "There's something in what the man says. Choose for yourself, Sophy."

Waife faces the agony of allowing the child he protects to decide whether to leave him for a more comfortable life, a moment that defines his selflessness.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book examines the tension between social station and personal character. It asks what constitutes a "gentleman" and whether honor can be maintained in the face of poverty and systemic cruelty. The recurring question—what will he do with it?—applies to money, talent, and social connections alike, suggesting that the value of any resource is determined entirely by the moral fiber of the person wielding it. It is a critique of the rigid British social hierarchy and a defense of the idea that individual agency is the only true measure of a person’s worth.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate a deliberate, character-driven pace will find much to admire in this work. It captures the atmosphere of mid-19th-century England with a mixture of sharp, conversational wit and deep, Victorian sentimentality. The dialogue is particularly strong, often feeling like a play where social manners mask—or reveal—the inner workings of the mind.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the narrative’s length and its tendency to digress into long, observational chapters about the nature of society and trade. The prose is dense, reflecting the period’s penchant for detailed scene-setting and extended philosophical musing. Additionally, some of the Victorian attitudes toward social classes and "vagrants" may feel dated or paternalistic to contemporary sensibilities.

If you enjoy stories where the plot is a slow-burning investigation into the ethics of ambition, this is a rewarding choice. It is a book that stays with you because it refuses to provide easy answers. It treats the lives of its characters with a profound, quiet seriousness, leaving the reader to ponder the weight of their own choices long after the final page is turned. It is not a book to be rushed; it is a book to be lived in, one chapter at a time.