David Copperfield - Chapters 56-57

The corpse that has washed ashore with the long curly hair is none other than James Steerforth’s. Presently, the Yarmouth locals bear the corpse to a nearby house and there they lay it. David removes it to the inn, however, sensing that the locals still bear Steerforth a grudge.

Anxious to transport the corpse to Highgate and to Mrs. Steerforth and to avoid the scrutiny of the locals, David contacts Joram, who will provide the hearse, and decides to leave that very night instead of waiting for daylight. To David’s surprise and chagrin, many Yarmouth locals witness the scene, as David and Joram depart for Highgate.