# IV explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Thomas Hardy.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_53_se/chapters