# Chapter XXVIII explained — Lavengro > Chapter companion for Lavengro by George Borrow. ## What happens The narrator's brother returns home to find their father gravely ill. Despite the reunion, the father's condition does not improve. In the dead of night, the father passes away, with the narrator supporting him in his final moments. The dying man recalls past scenes and names, finally uttering the name of Christ before yielding up his soul. ## Themes in this chapter ### Religion and Priestcraft The father's final utterance of Christ's name highlights the theme of religious faith and salvation at the moment of death. ### Honor and Morality The father's recollection of military service and his dignified death reflect themes of honor and moral fortitude. ## Character check-ins ### Lavengro The narrator, who supports his dying father and witnesses his final moments. ### Brother The narrator's brother, who returns home pale and unwell, and rushes to their father's side. ### Captain Thomas Borrow The dying father, who recalls past military scenes and utters the name of Christ before passing. ## Key lines > At last my brother arrived; he looked pale and unwell; I met him at the door. “You have been long absent!” said I. “Yes,” said he, “perhaps too long; but how is my father?” The narrator's brother finally returns, appearing pale and unwell, and immediately asks about their father's condition. _The brother's return marks a key moment of family reunion during the father's illness._ > With that name upon his lips, the brave old soldier sank back upon my bosom, and, with his hands still clasped, yielded up his soul. The father dies peacefully, uttering the name of Christ as he collapses into the narrator's arms. _The father's death is portrayed as a solemn, religiously significant event._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters/xxviii - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lavengro_se/chapters