Mr. Clennam is ill in China with his son, Arthur. His dying wish is that his son "Put it right" with his mother. He gives Arthur a pocket watch for her; Arthur has no idea what this means. Returning to England after 15 years, he gives his mother the watch. She claims to not know either, but opens it and reads "Do not forget." Arthur is enamoured of the beautiful Minnie (Pet) Meagles, who however favours ne'er-do-well aspiring artist, Henry Gowan, to her parents' distress.