His exposure to London's ghetto Tom-all-Alone's and the fishy business vis-a-vis Mr. Tulkinghorn and Inspector Bucket has Mr. Snagsby in a state of unrest and near paranoia. Mr. Snagsby can't seem to have his meals in peace, he has nightmares, and he suspects people he rubs elbows with everyday of harboring hidden agendas.
Mrs. Snagsby suspects the worst. She senses that her husband's unrest has to do with the boy Jo and jumps to the improbable conclusion that Mr. Snagsby is the boy's father. She keeps a close eye on him, she rummages through his personal belongings, and she welcomes Reverend Chadband who has taken it upon himself to edify and enlighten the boy Jo by dragging him to the Snagsys' parlor where he--Mr. Chadband--intends to hold forth on the ways of enlightened for the sake of the benighted boy.
Resentful, Jo recoils to no avail. He is dragged to the Snagsbys' parlor and made to listen to Reverend Chadband's sermon. As Reverend Chadband proceeds, Jo falls asleep while Mr. Snagsby reluctantly listens. Meanwhile, Mrs. Snagsby faints when the substance of the sermon touches on the evils of deception. (She is convinced that she is being deceived by her husband.) When Mrs. Snagsby is removed to the bedroom, Jo, who has awoken, takes the opportunity to make his escape. He is waylaid by the Snagsbys' house servant Guster, who out of pity, offers him some food. Jo graciously accepts when Mr. Snagsby appears. He praises Jo for the way he had handled himself vis-a-vis Mr. Tulkinghorn and Bucket and offers him some pocket change before facilitating his getaway.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Snagsby, who has recovered, spies on her husband from a hidden vantage point.