# The Text Witnesseth explained — Lost Man’s Lane

> Chapter companion for Lost Man’s Lane by Anna Katharine Green.

## What happens

Amelia Butterworth returns from her errands and rides home with William Knollys, who expresses resentment toward the neighborhood and hints at an impending change in their fortunes. Once at the house, she contrives to obtain the family Bible from Lucetta under the pretense of settling a dispute about a verse, but her true purpose is to examine a marked passage in Corinthians associated with funerals, deepening her suspicions about the family's secrets.

## Themes in this chapter

### Detection and Investigation

Miss Butterworth uses a pretext to examine the family Bible for a marked passage, advancing her covert investigation into the Knollys family secrets.

### Secrecy and Deception

Miss Butterworth conceals her true motive for requesting the Bible, and William's hints about a sudden change in fortune suggest hidden dealings.

### Family Loyalty and Sacrifice

Lucetta's resigned demeanor and her thoughts of her lover highlight the personal sacrifices she makes for her family's sake.

## Character check-ins

### Amelia Butterworth

Returns from town, feigns a quarrel with Mrs. Carter to gain access to the family Bible, and discovers a marked funeral passage in Corinthians.

### Lucetta

Brings the Bible to Miss Butterworth; appears resigned and brooding over her lover.

### William Knollys

Drives Miss Butterworth home, expresses bitterness toward the neighborhood and hints at an imminent change in the family's circumstances.

### Mr. Trohm

Mentioned by William as someone with whom Miss Butterworth supposedly discussed Lucetta and the family.

### Deacon Spear

Mentioned by William in passing as a man of Miss Butterworth's 'own sort.'

## Key lines

> I have a grim will when I choose to exert it.

I can be stubbornly determined when I decide to be.

_Miss Butterworth asserts her resolve as she begins her covert actions._

> We have played poor and pinched and starved all I'm going to. I'm going to have a new horse, and Lucetta shall have a dress, and that mighty quick too.

I'm done with pretending to be poor and deprived. I plan to buy a new horse and a dress for Lucetta very soon.

_William reveals his impatience with their shabby lifestyle and hints at a secret source of money._

> Behold I show you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

Listen, I reveal a secret: not everyone will die, but we will all be transformed.

_The marked Bible verse from Corinthians, associated with funerals, deepens the mystery surrounding the Knollys family._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters/xxvii-the-text-witnesseth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lost_man_s_lane_se/chapters