Short Fiction · Chapter
Tony Kytes, the Arch-Deceiver explained
Tony Kytes, a young man engaged to Milly Richards, finds himself in a comedic predicament when he offers rides home to two former flames, Unity Sallet and Hannah Jolliver, while Milly is also secretly hidden in his wagon.
What happens
Tony Kytes, a young man engaged to Milly Richards, finds himself in a comedic predicament when he offers rides home to two former flames, Unity Sallet and Hannah Jolliver, while Milly is also secretly hidden in his wagon. As he tries to manage the affections of all three women, a series of misunderstandings and revelations lead to a chaotic spill, forcing Tony to confront his indecisiveness.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Secrecy
Tony hides Unity and Milly in the wagon to avoid confrontation, and the women conceal themselves from each other, leading to a chaotic revelation.
Love and Marriage
Tony's indecisiveness among three potential brides highlights the complexities of romantic commitment and the societal pressure to marry.
Characters to notice
- Tony Kytes
The arch-deceiver, engaged to Milly but flirting with Unity and Hannah.
- Milly Richards
Tony's fiancée, hiding under corn-sacks in the wagon.
- Unity Sallet
A former flame of Tony's, hiding under the tarpaulin.
- Hannah Jolliver
Another former flame, riding openly with Tony and later driving the wagon.
- Mr. Barnet
Tony's father, who advises him to stick with Milly.
Key passages
“Tony was so won over by this pretty offering mood of a girl who had been quite the reverse (Hannah had a backward way with her at times, if you can mind) that he just glanced behind, and then whispered very soft, ‘I haven’t quite promised her, and I think I can get out of it, and ask you that question you speak of.’”
Tony, charmed by Hannah's sudden affection, whispers that he hasn't fully committed to Milly and might break off the engagement to propose to Hannah instead.
Tony's duplicity is revealed as he considers abandoning Milly for Hannah.
“‘Don’t ye quarrel, my dears—don’t ye!’ says he, taking off his hat out of respect to ’em. And then he would have kissed them all round, as fair and square as a man could, but they were in too much of a taking to let him, and screeched and sobbed till they was quite spent.”
Tony tries to calm the arguing women by offering to kiss each of them, but they are too upset to accept, continuing to cry and shout.
Tony's attempt at a peacemaking gesture backfires, showing his inability to resolve the situation.