# Mr. and Mrs. Outhouse explained — He Knew He Was Right > Chapter companion for He Knew He Was Right by Anthony Trollope. ## What happens Mrs. Trevelyan, having received no response from her husband, decides to leave the Clock House and go to her aunt, Mrs. Outhouse, at St. Diddulph's. She writes a brief note to Trevelyan informing him of her move. The Outhouses, a poor clergyman and his wife, are hesitant to take in their fine-lady niece, fearing the scandal and their own inability to handle such a delicate situation. Trevelyan visits the parsonage, insisting he makes no charge against his wife but stating she cannot return to him now, and offers to pay for her and Nora's maintenance. ## Themes in this chapter ### Marital Jealousy and Possessiveness Trevelyan's refusal to take his wife back, despite making no formal charge, stems from his wounded pride and possessiveness over her obedience. ### Class and Professional Identity The Outhouses feel utterly out of their depth with their 'fine lady' niece, highlighting the class divide between the poor clergy and the wealthy Trevelyans. ### Social Reputation and Gossip The Outhouses are deeply troubled by the mere idea of a married woman with a lover, and Priscilla Stanbury worries about the gossip caused by the Trevelyans' stay at the Clock House. ## Character check-ins ### Emily Trevelyan Decides to leave the Clock House and move to her aunt's parsonage, feeling cruelly treated by her husband. ### Nora Rowley Accompanies her sister Emily to St. Diddulph's, having written to their uncle to request shelter. ### Louis Trevelyan Visits the Outhouse parsonage, insists he makes no charge against his wife but refuses to have her back, and offers to pay expenses. ### Rev. Oliphant Outhouse The rector of St. Diddulph's, hesitant to take in his nieces due to his ignorance of high-society troubles and the scandal involved. ### Mrs. Outhouse Shares her husband's hesitation but questions Trevelyan about why the couple cannot live together. ### Priscilla Stanbury Explains to Mrs. Trevelyan why the arrangement at the Clock House must end, and parts with them in amity. ## Key lines > I suppose that he is very angry, but I do not feel that I care about that now. He shall have nothing to complain of in reference to any gaiety on my part. I will see no one. I will have no correspondence. But I will not remain here after what he has said to me, let him be ever so angry. Emily declares she no longer cares about her husband's anger, vows to live in seclusion, but refuses to stay at the Clock House after his harsh words. _Emily's defiant resolve to leave despite her husband's wishes, asserting her own agency._ > Non olet, he would say with a grim smile when the charitable cheque of the firm would come punctually to hand on the first Saturday after Christmas. Mr. Outhouse grimly jokes that the manure factory's money doesn't smell, accepting their charity despite the stench. _Illustrates Mr. Outhouse's pragmatic and somewhat resigned attitude toward the source of his parish's funds._ > It is very sad for me, very sad, indeed. My home is destroyed; my life is made solitary; I do not even see my own child. She has her boy with her, and her sister. I have nobody. Trevelyan laments his destroyed home and solitary life, contrasting his emptiness with his wife having their son and sister. _Trevelyan's self-pitying complaint reveals his emotional isolation and stubbornness._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters/xxix-mr-and-mrs-outhouse - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/he_knew_he_was_right_se/chapters