# § 20 explained — Mr. Britling Sees It Through

> Chapter companion for Mr. Britling Sees It Through by H. G. Wells.

## What happens

Mr. Direck leaves Mrs. Britling and walks slowly toward the cottage but decides not to visit Cecily, feeling it would be futile. He sits at a stile, resolves to find out about Teddy, and writes a letter-card to Cecily expressing his love and his determination to resolve their conflict.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Marriage

Mr. Direck's love for Cecily and his desire to reconcile their conflict over neutrality.

### The Search for Meaning

Mr. Direck's introspection and determination to take action to resolve personal and relational turmoil.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Direck

Leaves Mrs. Britling, decides not to visit Cecily, and writes a letter-card vowing to find out about Teddy.

### Mrs. Britling

Mr. Direck takes his leave of her.

### Miss Corner

Referred to as Cecily; Mr. Direck decides not to see her and writes her a letter-card.

### Teddy

Mr. Direck resolves to find out about Teddy.

## Key lines

> Mr. Direck took his leave of Mrs. Britling, and went very slowly towards the little cottage. But he did not go to the cottage. He felt he would only find another soul in torment there.

Mr. Direck said goodbye to Mrs. Britling and walked slowly toward the cottage, but decided not to enter, believing he would only encounter more suffering.

_Shows Mr. Direck's reluctance to face Cecily's distress._

> Dear Cissie, I came down today to see you—and thought better of it. I’m going right off to find out about Teddy. Somehow I’ll get that settled.

He writes to Cecily that he came to visit but changed his mind, and that he will immediately investigate Teddy's situation.

_Mr. Direck's letter reveals his plan to resolve the issue with Teddy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters/20
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- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/mr_britling_sees_it_through_se/chapters