Greene Ferne Farm · Chapter
A-Nutting explained
On a warm September afternoon, Margaret, May, Felix, Geoffrey, and Valentine go nutting in Thorpe Wood.
What happens
On a warm September afternoon, Margaret, May, Felix, Geoffrey, and Valentine go nutting in Thorpe Wood. Geoffrey's jealousy flares when Margaret praises Valentine's ash crook over his willow one. He breaks a hazel bough in anger, then tricks Margaret into a private conversation where he accuses her of playing double. Deeply hurt, she flees, falls, and gets a thorn in her thumb. Valentine removes it and kisses her hand, which Geoffrey witnesses, intensifying his rage. Later, Valentine helps an old woman carry a basket and hears malicious gossip about Margaret's nighttime adventure on the Downs, fueling his own jealousy.
Themes in this chapter
Jealousy and Rivalry
Geoffrey's jealousy of Valentine is the central conflict of the chapter, driving him to break a bough, accuse Margaret, and later witness Valentine kissing her hand.
Nature and the Pastoral Ideal
The chapter is rich with descriptions of the September landscape, goldfinches, butterflies, and the wood's silence, contrasting with the emotional turmoil of the characters.
Community and Tradition
The nutting expedition is a communal activity; the old woman's gossip reveals the tight-knit, judgmental nature of village life.
Characters to notice
- Geoffrey Newton
Jealous and impulsive; breaks a hazel bough in anger and falsely accuses Margaret of playing double.
- Margaret Estcourt
Deeply hurt by Geoffrey's accusation; flees, falls, and gets a thorn in her thumb; Valentine removes it and kisses her hand.
- Val Browne
Secretly glad at Geoffrey's failure; removes the thorn from Margaret's thumb and kisses her hand; later hears gossip about Margaret from an old woman.
- May Fisher
Laughs at thistledown; smooths over Geoffrey's annoyance about the willow crook; Margaret seeks her after fleeing.
- Rev. Felix St. Bees
Comments on thistledown; had his dignity upset by Andrew Fisher's blackthorn cudgel and waits before visiting again.
- Old Andrew Fisher
Yields to Margaret's persuasion to let May return to Greene Ferne, prompted by avarice and Margaret's beauty.
Key passages
“Thistledown for thoughts, said May Fisher, laughing, as she tried to seize the glossy balls floating by on the idle air of the lane.”
May Fisher laughed and called the floating thistledown 'thoughts' as she tried to catch them.
Opens the chapter with a light, whimsical tone.
“I mean that you play double—first with me and then with him.”
Geoffrey accuses Margaret of being unfaithful by flirting with both him and Valentine.
Key moment of jealousy and conflict.
“She stood before him silent, all the blood gone from her cheek in the extremity of her indignation, unable to speak.”
Margaret was so shocked and angry at Geoffrey's accusation that she turned pale and could not respond.
Shows the depth of Margaret's hurt.
“The gurt chattering fool to come a' hindering I!”
The old woman mutters that Valentine is a great chattering fool for delaying her.
Reflects the old woman's bitter and resentful character.