The Getting of Wisdom · Chapter
XVI explained
Laura visits the Shepherd household for a holiday, where she observes the strained domestic dynamics between the irritable Mr.
What happens
Laura visits the Shepherd household for a holiday, where she observes the strained domestic dynamics between the irritable Mr. Shepherd (Robby), his submissive wife Maisie, and his sister Isabella. Despite the tense meals and constant fussing over Robby's needs, Laura enjoys reading King Solomon's Mines and later listens to Robby's captivating travel stories, leaving with mixed feelings about the visit.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Maternal Expectations
The Shepherd household illustrates strained family roles: Mrs. Shepherd's subservience, Isabella's devotion, and Mr. Shepherd's domineering presence.
Class, Money, and Social Status
The Shepherds' modest home, bare mutton-bone, and saving for Robby's degree highlight their precarious middle-class striving.
Imagination vs. Harsh Reality
Laura escapes into King Solomon's Mines and later Robby's travel tales, contrasting with the tense, frugal reality of the Shepherd home.
Characters to notice
- Laura Rambotham
Visits the Shepherd household; observes the family dynamics with a critical eye; enjoys reading and later listening to Mr. Shepherd's travel tales.
- Miss Isabella Shepherd
Nervous, kindly woman who cannot look people in the face; devoted to her brother Robby; copies his sermons and defends his behavior.
- Mr. Shepherd
Irritable and demanding clergyman; carves mutton-bone with difficulty; later mellows over port and tells engaging stories about Japan.
- Mrs. Shepherd
Faded, submissive wife; flustered by her husband's demands; tries to manage the household but is criticized by Isabella.
Key passages
“young woman, with a nervous, kindly smile, and a congenital inability to look you in the face when speaking to you; so that the impression she made was that of a perpetual friendliness, directed, however, not at you, but at the inanimate objects around you.”
Miss Isabella Shepherd had a nervous, warm smile and could never meet your eyes, making her seem friendly but oddly focused on things around her rather than on you.
Introduces Isabella's peculiar mannerism, which Laura immediately notices.
“Robby has just lain down for a few minutes. How are you, dear?—in a whisper.”
Mrs. Shepherd hushed them, whispering that Robby had just rested, and greeted Laura softly.
Shows the household's anxious deference to Mr. Shepherd's needs.
“Well, well, well! he exclaimed, in what seemed tremendous surprise; but, even as she spoke, his thoughts were swept away; for he had taken up a mustard-pot and found it empty.”
Mr. Shepherd acted amazed at Laura's Latin, but quickly lost interest when he noticed the mustard pot was empty.
Illustrates Mr. Shepherd's self-absorption and irritability.
“I do hope you'll come again, she said the following morning, as they walked back to the College. I don't mind telling you now, I felt quite nervous when Robby said we were to ask you. I've had no experience of little girls. But you haven't been the least trouble—not a bit.”
Isabella confessed she had been nervous about hosting Laura but was pleased she was no trouble, and invited her to return.
Isabella's relief and kindness contrast with the earlier tension.