# Note by Paul Harrison explained — The Documents in the Case

> Chapter companion for The Documents in the Case by Dorothy L. Sayers.

## What happens

Paul Harrison notes the lack of correspondence from Miss Milsom and Mr. Munting during the critical period from late November to the end of February. Miss Milsom's quarrel with Mrs. Farebrother over Ronnie Farebrother, who shot himself in late January, led to a hysterical state and mental collapse, making her letters useless. Paul speculates on the development between his stepmother and Lathom during February, when his father was away for fourteen days on electrical installation duties in Middleshire.

## Themes in this chapter

### Repression and Psychoanalysis

Miss Milsom's hysterical state and mental collapse following the suicide of Ronnie Farebrother reflect the psychological pressures and repressed emotions of the era.

## Character check-ins

### Paul Harrison

Narrator of this note, reflecting on the lack of evidence and speculating on the situation.

### Agatha Milsom

Her correspondence is absent due to a quarrel with Mrs. Farebrother and subsequent mental collapse after Ronnie Farebrother's suicide.

### Mrs. Farebrother

Quarreled with Miss Milsom over Ronnie Farebrother, leading to a break in communication.

### Ronnie Farebrother

Shot himself in late January, an event that deeply affected Miss Milsom.

### John Munting

His letters contain no references to the Harrison domestic affairs during February, as he was preoccupied with his own concerns.

## Key lines

> It is unfortunate that throughout this important and critical period, from the end of November to the end of February, we should have no help from the Milsom correspondence.

Paul regrets that there are no letters from Miss Milsom during this crucial time.

_Highlights the lack of evidence for this period._

> During the last week of January, the wretched young Farebrother shot himself.

Ronnie Farebrother committed suicide in the last week of January.

_This event triggers Miss Milsom's breakdown._

> This gratifying fulfilment of her prophecies of disaster seems to have driven Miss Milsom into a highly hysterical state of mind, which probably precipitated the mental collapse that followed.

The fulfillment of her predictions of disaster caused Miss Milsom to become hysterical, leading to her mental collapse.

_Paul's ironic tone suggests Miss Milsom's prophecies were self-fulfilling._

## Links

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