Short Fiction · Chapter
IV explained
Old farmer Lovill, a distant relative of Frances, visits the mill on business and becomes infatuated with Agatha Pollin after seeing her by the mill pool.
What happens
Old farmer Lovill, a distant relative of Frances, visits the mill on business and becomes infatuated with Agatha Pollin after seeing her by the mill pool. He retrieves her chemise from the water, then later spies on her from the lane. Agatha, aware of his presence, deliberately waters her flowers so that the water spills onto him, causing him to retreat.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Marriage
Farmer Lovill's infatuation with Agatha highlights the theme of mismatched romantic interests and the awkwardness of an older suitor pursuing a young woman.
Gender Roles and Women's Agency
Agatha uses subtle resistance (spilling water) to assert her disinterest, demonstrating limited but effective agency within the constraints of her role.
Characters to notice
- Agatha Pollin
Agatha is seen rinsing clothes at the mill pool, accidentally drops her chemise, and later rebuffs Farmer Lovill's advances by spilling water on him.
- Farmer Lovill
Old farmer Lovill, a bachelor of about sixty-five, becomes infatuated with Agatha after retrieving her chemise and later spies on her from the lane.
Key passages
“What a pretty maid!”
Farmer Lovill admires Agatha's appearance.
This marks the beginning of his infatuation.
“A rude old thing!”
Agatha thinks the farmer is impolite.
She is annoyed by his spying.
“Ah! she did not see me; it was evident she did not, and I was mistaken!”
Farmer Lovill convinces himself that Agatha did not intentionally drench him.
He rationalizes her action to preserve his romantic illusion.