Simon · Chapter
IV: The Man from the West explained
Ned Cromarty visits Simon Rattar to discuss his financial situation and a loan from Sir Reginald.
What happens
Ned Cromarty visits Simon Rattar to discuss his financial situation and a loan from Sir Reginald. He reveals his past as a cowboy in the American West and his struggle to adapt to life as a Scottish laird. After the meeting, he encounters Cicely Farmond leaving Rattar's office and offers to drive her home.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Deception
Ned Cromarty's dual identity as a former cowboy and current laird is highlighted, along with his playful deception in pretending not to know Cicely was at the office.
Greed and Motive
Ned's financial troubles and his loan from Sir Reginald underscore the theme of monetary motive, while Rattar's unusual behavior hints at hidden agendas.
Secrecy and Silence
Cicely Farmond's secret visit to Rattar and Ned's promise to 'lie low' emphasize the theme of secrecy and the withholding of information.
Characters to notice
- Ned Cromarty
Visits Simon Rattar to discuss his debts and loan repayment to Sir Reginald. Described as a tall, lean man with a glass eye, a humorous and honest personality, and a Western twang. He offers to drive Cicely Farmond home.
- Simon Rattar
Acts unusually cautious and distracted during Ned Cromarty's visit. Shows interest in Ned's past and seems affected by the mention of hanging. He has a clerk announce Miss Farmond's arrival.
- Cicely Farmond
Emerges from a room in Rattar's office and meets Ned Cromarty. She is dressed in mourning, appears under twenty, and admits she is not supposed to be there. She accepts Ned's offer of a ride home.
Key passages
“I guess you've got some good advice for me this morning.”
Ned Cromarty expects Simon Rattar to have financial advice ready for him.
Ned's direct and optimistic approach contrasts with Rattar's evasiveness.
“I can smoke without spitting now, which is a step on the road towards being a Lord Chesterfield.”
Ned humorously notes his progress in adopting civilized manners under his sister's tutelage.
Highlights Ned's struggle to adapt from his Western past to aristocratic life.
“I've had my eye put out with a broken whisky bottle and hanged the man who did it with my own hands!”
Ned recounts a violent incident from his past in the American West where he lost an eye and executed the perpetrator.
Reveals Ned's rough past and shocks Rattar, hinting at the theme of justice and violence.