Lavengro · Chapter
LXXI explained
The narrator continues his tinkering travels, collecting work from villagers who trust him due to his association with Slingsby.
What happens
The narrator continues his tinkering travels, collecting work from villagers who trust him due to his association with Slingsby. After several days of work, he falls into a deep slumber under an ash tree, only to be awakened by the gypsy girl Ursula, who brings him cakes from her grandmother. Mrs. Herne then appears and reveals her vengeful intentions, accusing the narrator of poisoning and attempting to kill him with a drugged cake. A confrontation ensues, but the narrator survives the poison, and Mrs. Herne's attack is thwarted when the tent pole collapses.
Themes in this chapter
The Gypsy and the Outsider
The chapter highlights the tension between the Romani community and the narrator, with Mrs. Herne's vengeful plot and Ursula's ambiguous loyalty.
Honor and Morality
The narrator's trustworthiness is tested by the villagers and the gypsies, while Mrs. Herne's actions raise questions about justice and revenge.
Characters to notice
- Lavengro
The narrator continues his tinkering journey, falls asleep under an ash tree, is visited by Ursula and Mrs. Herne, and survives a poisoning attempt.
- Ursula
The gypsy girl brings cakes from her grandmother, sings a song of poison, and participates in the confrontation with the narrator.
- Mrs. Herne
The vengeful grandmother accuses the narrator of poisoning, attempts to kill him with drugged cakes, and attacks him with a stick before the tent collapses.
Key passages
“I returned to my quarters at evening, tired but rejoiced at heart; I had work before me for several days, having collected various kekaubies which required mending, in place of those which I left behind”
The narrator returns to his camp tired but happy, with several days' worth of mending work.
Shows the narrator's satisfaction with his tinkering trade.
“All of a sudden it appeared to me that a voice cried in my ear, 'Danger! danger! danger!'”
The narrator hears a warning voice in his sleep.
Foreshadows the poisoning attempt by Mrs. Herne.
“You have taken drows, sir; do you hear, sir? drows; tip him a stave, child, of the song of poison.”
Mrs. Herne accuses the narrator of being poisoned and orders Ursula to sing the poison song.
Reveals the gypsies' intent to harm the narrator.