# The Way to the Dairy explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Saki.

## What happens

Clovis tells the Baroness the story of the Brimley Bomefield sisters, who discovered a wealthy aunt and tried to control her spending, only to inadvertently introduce her to gambling. The aunt becomes a confirmed gambler, losing money but enjoying life for the first time, while the nieces grow increasingly depressed and eventually abandon her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Moral Facade

The Brimley Bomefields feign concern for their aunt's moral welfare while actually coveting her inheritance, and they are horrified by her gambling yet are themselves obsessed with 'good money.'

### The Absurdity of Social Rituals

The nieces' elaborate schemes to expose their cousin Roger and their performative headaches highlight the absurdity of social maneuvering for inheritance.

### Rebellion and Individuality

The aunt breaks free from her nieces' control and embraces gambling, discovering personal enjoyment and independence.

## Character check-ins

### Clovis Sangrail

Narrates the story of the Brimley Bomefields to the Baroness.

### Bertie van Tahn

Mentioned as joining the aunt and nephew for supper; also referenced in a quote about paté de foie gras.

## Key lines

> Show a cat the way to the dairy— I forget how the proverb goes on, but it summed up the situation as far as the Brimley Bomefields' aunt was concerned.

Once the aunt was introduced to gambling, she eagerly pursued it further, just as a cat shown the way to a dairy will keep returning.

_Clovis uses this proverb to explain how the aunt's newfound passion for gambling led her to continue seeking out casinos._

> The aunt bore the announcement of their departure with a cheerfulness that was almost disconcerting.

The aunt was surprisingly happy when her nieces said they were leaving, which unsettled them.

_Highlights the aunt's relief at being free from her nieces' supervision._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-way-to-the-dairy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters