Phoebe, Junior · Chapter
XX: That Tozer Girl! explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Sam Hurst reveals to the May family that the well-dressed young lady Ursula met at the Copperhead ball is actually the granddaughter of old Tozer, a Dissenter. Ursula is horrified and defensive, while Mr. May grows anxious about the impact on Reginald's chaplaincy and his own reputation. Reginald, after learning of an attack in the newspaper, becomes defiant, insisting he will not be bullied out of his resolution.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Mobility
The revelation that Miss Beecham is old Tozer's granddaughter highlights the precariousness of social standing and the threat of association with Dissenters.
Appearance vs. Reality
Ursula's perception of Miss Beecham as a refined lady from a grand ball clashes with the reality of her humble origins as a Tozer.
Religious Hypocrisy
The Anti-State Church Meeting's attack on Reginald and his father exposes the hypocrisy and personal vendettas masked as religious debate.
Characters to notice
- Ursula May
Ursula is distressed and defensive when Mrs. Hurst reveals that Miss Beecham is old Tozer's granddaughter, and she blushes at the news that Clarence Copperhead might come to the parsonage.
- Reginald May
Reginald is roused by the mention of the Anti-State Church Meeting attack and becomes obstinate and defiant, insisting he will not be driven from his resolution.
- Mrs. Sam Hurst
Mrs. Hurst is the eager gossip who reveals Miss Beecham's true identity as Tozer's granddaughter and mentions the newspaper attack on Reginald.
- Phoebe Tozer
Phoebe is referred to as 'that Tozer girl' and 'Miss Beecham'; she is the well-dressed young lady Ursula met at the Copperhead ball, now revealed to be old Tozer's granddaughter.
- Clarence Copperhead
Clarence is mentioned as having danced with Ursula twice at the ball and as a potential pupil coming to the parsonage.
- Janey
Janey is defensive of her father and alarmed by the news of a possible pupil, showing impatience with Reginald's mood.
Key passages
““That is just what I want you to tell me,” said Mrs. Sam Hurst, with imperturbable good-humour. “You, Mr. May, you are always good to me, though Ursula has her little tempers—the girl you were talking to at the door. I stood and watched from the window, and I scarcely could contain myself sufficiently not to bounce out in the middle of the talk. Now do tell, as the Americans say. Who is that Tozer girl?””
Mrs. Hurst, unable to contain her curiosity, asks Mr. May to identify the young woman he was speaking to at the door, whom she calls 'that Tozer girl.'
Mrs. Hurst's relentless gossip drives the revelation of Phoebe's identity.
““That woman will set Reginald off at the nail again,” he cried; “after he had begun to see things in a commonsense light. There was an attack made upon him last night on account of that blessed chaplaincy, which has been more trouble to me than it is worth. I suppose he’ll throw it up now. But I wash my hands of the matter.””
Mr. May fears that Mrs. Hurst's gossip will reignite Reginald's defiance, causing him to abandon the chaplaincy, and he expresses frustration with the whole affair.
Mr. May's anxiety reveals the tension between family duty and public reputation.
““But if they think I am to be driven out of a resolution I have made by what they say—if they think that I will be bullied into giving up because of their claptrap,” he cried, looking sternly at her, “then you will find you are mistaken.””
Reginald defiantly declares that he will not be bullied into abandoning his resolution by the attacks in the newspaper.
Reginald's stubbornness sets up a conflict between his principles and his father's wishes.
