# Cupboard Love explained — The Lady of the Barge

> Chapter companion for The Lady of the Barge by W. W. Jacobs.

## What happens

At Negget's farm, retired policeman Mr. Martin Bodfish investigates the theft of Mrs. Negget's gold brooch. Suspicion falls on Mrs. Driver after mud traces are found on the stairs, leading to a comedic confrontation and Mr. Negget's night out.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Betrayal

The theft of the brooch and the subsequent suspicion cast on Mrs. Driver and Emma explore themes of trust and betrayal within the community.

### Isolation and Community

The close-knit village setting is evident as gossip spreads quickly, and the investigation affects relationships among neighbors.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Negget

The farmer, husband of Mrs. Negget, who is skeptical of the investigation and ends up making a night of it.

### Mrs. Negget

The farmer's wife who reports the theft of her gold brooch and eagerly assists her uncle's investigation.

### Mr. Martin Bodfish

Retired policeman and uncle of Mrs. Negget, who leads the investigation with a methodical but flawed approach.

### Mrs. Driver

A visitor to the farm who becomes the prime suspect after mud traces are found on the stairs.

### Emma

The servant who is initially suspected but later cleared; she is given notice and cries on her box.

## Key lines

> I can’t help thinking that Mrs. Pottle knows something about it

Mrs. Negget suspects Mrs. Pottle has knowledge of the theft.

_Mrs. Negget expresses her suspicion despite Mrs. Pottle being away from the village._

> my idea is, an’ always has been, that everybody is guilty until they’ve proved their innocence.

Mr. Bodfish believes in presuming guilt until innocence is proven.

_The ex-policeman's unorthodox approach to investigation is revealed._

> I gave her a month’s notice at once, and she went straight upstairs and sat on her box and cried.

Mrs. Negget fired Emma, who then sat on her box and wept.

_The immediate consequence for the servant Emma after the theft is reported._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lady_of_the_barge_se/chapters/cupboard-love
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lady_of_the_barge_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_lady_of_the_barge_se/chapters