II explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Debt and Financial Desperation

  Mr. Marble pays off Evans with treasury notes from Jim, and Annie reflects on their financial worries.

• Guilt and Paranoia

  Mr. Marble repeatedly peers into the backyard, mutters about dreams, and forbids the washerwoman from coming.

• Alcoholism and Escape

  Mr. Marble brings home a bottle of whisky, drinks heavily, and stares at it obsessively.

Characters to notice

• Annie Marble

  Wakes with a headache, reflects on her husband's worries and Jim's visit, tries to care for Mr. Marble despite his irritability.

• Mr. Marble

  Shows paranoid behavior, repeatedly checks the backyard, pays off Evans, drinks heavily, and snaps at Annie.

• Mrs. Marble

  Laughs at Mr. Marble's frightened appearance, tries to comfort him, and is hurt by his harsh words.

• Winnie Medland

  Sleepily inquires when Mr. Marble enters her bedroom; later sews a button on her glove at breakfast.

• Jim Medland

  Mentioned as the nephew who visited the previous night and may have helped with money.

Key passages

• “He still muttered to himself as he snuggled down into the bed again, with his face hidden by the pillows.”

  Mr. Marble continued mumbling to himself while burying his face in the pillows.

  Shows his disturbed state after a nightmare.

• “He pulled from his pocket, loose, as though he had laid them there ready, a small roll of Treasury notes. 'Here,' he said, 'take these, and for God's sake go and pay Evans off this morning.'”

  Mr. Marble handed Annie a roll of Treasury notes and urgently told her to pay off their debt to Evans.

  Indicates his desperation to settle debts quickly.

• “He could not take his eyes off it. He did not look up as she came in, nor did he speak.”

  Mr. Marble stared fixedly at the whisky bottle, ignoring Annie's presence.

  Highlights his reliance on alcohol as an escape.