# Mrs. Satterthwaite at Lobscheid explained — Some Do Not …

> Chapter companion for Some Do Not … by Ford Madox Ford.

## What happens

Mrs. Satterthwaite, her French maid, Father Consett, and the disreputable Mr. Bayliss are holidaying at Lobscheid in the Taunus. The party plays bridge, and Father Consett prepares to say mass. Sylvia Tietjens arrives and discusses her strained marriage with Christopher Tietjens, revealing her contempt for his formal, truthful nature. She plans to send a terse telegram. Mrs. Satterthwaite and Father Consett later discuss Sylvia's past, including the paternity of her child, and the priest laments the bitterness of Christopher's lot.

## Themes in this chapter

### Marriage and Adultery

Sylvia's contempt for her husband and the revelation of her child's paternity underscore the theme of marital discord and infidelity.

### Honor and Reputation

Mrs. Satterthwaite's concern for her husband's name and the priest's lament over Christopher's bitter lot highlight the importance of social reputation.

### Self-Deception and Perception

Sylvia's self-justification and the priest's insights into her character explore the gap between how characters see themselves and how they are perceived.

## Character check-ins

### Sylvia Tietjens

Arrives at Lobscheid; discusses her marriage with Father Consett, expressing contempt for Christopher's formality and truthfulness; plans to send a terse telegram.

### Mrs. Satterthwaite

Hosts the holiday party at Lobscheid; discusses Sylvia's marriage and past with Father Consett, revealing her own complicated feelings.

### Father Consett

On holiday from Liverpool slums; plays bridge, prepares to say mass; engages in deep conversation with Sylvia and Mrs. Satterthwaite about marriage, sin, and Sylvia's child.

### Christopher Tietjens

Referenced as Sylvia's husband; his telegram and formal, truthful nature are discussed; he is expected to arrive for an interview.

### Major Drake

Mentioned as the probable father of Sylvia's child.

## Key lines

> He gives himself the solemn airs of the Foreign Minister, but he's only a youngest son at the best. That is why I loathe him.

Sylvia says Christopher acts pompously like a high official, but he's just a minor aristocrat, and that's why she hates him.

_Sylvia expresses her contempt for Christopher's pretentiousness._

> I shall wait until Monday night to keep him as bothered as I can to know whether he's to start on Tuesday. He fusses like a hen over his packings and the exact hours of his movements. On Monday I shall telegraph: 'Righto' and nothing else.

Sylvia plans to delay her reply to Christopher's telegram until the last moment to annoy him, then send a single word 'Righto'.

_Sylvia's deliberate cruelty and manipulation of Christopher's anxiety._

> It was probably Drake's.

Mrs. Satterthwaite admits that Sylvia's child was likely fathered by Major Drake.

_Revelation of Sylvia's adultery and the child's paternity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/some_do_not_se/chapters/part-i-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/some_do_not_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/some_do_not_se/chapters