# Miller Bond explained — The Dewy Morn

> Chapter companion for The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies.

## What happens

Miller Bond witnesses the troubled courtship of Mary Shaw and Abner Brown, which ends with Mary falling into the mill-pool. Martial Barnard rescues her but becomes trapped in the pool with her, unable to escape the steep chalk walls. Bond's panic and the miller's man's stupidity hinder rescue efforts, as Martial struggles to stay afloat and direct them to fetch a rope or floating object.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Jealousy

Miller Bond's fixation on Felise's past kindness (the three red roses) overwhelms his ability to act rationally during the rescue, showing how obsession can paralyze judgment.

### Social Class and Injustice

The hamlet's gossip about Felise 'throwing over' Godwin for the 'idle Barnard fellow' reflects class-based judgments and the scrutiny of women's choices.

## Character check-ins

### Miller Bond

Observes Mary and Abner's meetings; panics after Mary falls into the pool, firing his gun and dancing in distress; fixates on Felise's past gift of roses, hindering effective rescue.

### Mary Shaw

Found struggling in the mill-pool after a crying spell with Abner; faints when Martial touches her during rescue.

### Martial Barnard

Rescues Mary from the pool but becomes trapped with her; tries to direct the miller and his man to get a rope or floating object to escape.

### Abner Brown

Mentions as Mary's courting partner; leaves the rickyard with her before the accident.

### Felise Goring

Referenced by Miller Bond as 'Miss Goring' and the giver of three red roses, which motivates his desire to help but also causes his panic.

## Key lines

> Miller Bond had long since found out, in an indirect way, who the gentleman was that met the hamlet prude Mary Shaw in the rickyard by the mill-pool.

Miller Bond had discovered indirectly the identity of the man meeting Mary Shaw in the rickyard.

_Reveals Bond's covert knowledge of local affairs._

> He had to run some yards before he could see down into the pool. Leaning over the fence he strained his short neck and saw Mary Shaw struggling and gasping in the water.

Bond ran to the pool's edge and saw Mary Shaw thrashing in the water.

_Describes the moment Bond witnesses the accident._

> Martial went down feet first, holding his breath; the water closed over him. In another second he rose and began to swim, and in half a minute—he had to go round a little to seize her properly—he had hold of poor Mary.

Martial dove in feet first, surfaced, and quickly swam to grab Mary.

_Highlights Martial's swift rescue attempt._

> The two fools looking down were evidently too stupid to assist him. “Help!” shouted Martial at the top of his voice. “Help! help!” hoping someone passing might hear.

Martial shouted for help, frustrated by the onlookers' inaction.

_Shows Martial's desperation and the bystanders' incompetence._

> Miller Bond lost his head. “A gate,” said Martial; “unhinge a gate! Throw me something that will float!” “Thur,” said the miller with an idiotic grin, plucking off his hat and hurling it into the water.

Bond panicked and threw his hat instead of a gate or floating object.

_Illustrates Bond's irrational behavior under stress._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters