The Maid of Sker · Chapter
In Accordance with the Evidence explained
Davy serves as foreman of the inquest jury for the dead baby boy found with a coronet mark.
What happens
Davy serves as foreman of the inquest jury for the dead baby boy found with a coronet mark. Hezekiah Perkins manipulates the proceedings, leading to the distressing exposure of Bardie to the corpse. Davy protects Bardie, who shows her refined nature by rejecting the coroner and his clerk. The jury delivers a verdict that the child drowned in a sandstorm, and Davy reflects on the gap between truth and official justice.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Narrative Reliability
Davy explicitly states that 'nothing ever follows truth and justice,' highlighting the gap between official verdicts and actual events.
Family and Orphanhood
Bardie's vulnerability as an orphan is central; Davy acts as her protector, and the dead baby is speculated to be her twin brother.
Social Class and Identity
Bardie's noble lineage is inferred from her refined behavior and the coronet mark on the baby's pinafore, influencing how she is treated.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Foreman of the inquest jury; protects Bardie from being forced to view the dead baby; reflects bitterly on the miscarriage of justice.
- Bardie
Brought into the inquest room by Hezekiah; shows distress and contempt for the coroner and clerk; clings to Davy for comfort.
- Hezekiah Perkins
Manipulative juryman who delivers a long speech about sand encroachment; brings Bardie to the corpse against Davy's wishes.
- Crowner Bowles
Presides over the inquest; attempts to question Bardie but is dismissed by her; accepts the jury's verdict.
Key passages
“In the days of my youth such judgments perhaps would have tried my patience; but now I knew that nothing ever follows truth and justice.”
When I was younger, such verdicts might have angered me, but now I understand that truth and justice rarely prevail.
Davy's cynical reflection on the inquest's outcome.
“I had set my back against the door, and sworn that they should not have her; but crafty Perkins had stolen out by another door while they humoured me.”
I blocked the door and vowed they would not take Bardie, but sneaky Perkins slipped out through another entrance while I was distracted.
Davy's attempt to protect Bardie from being brought to the inquest.
“She spread her little open hand with such contempt at the Coroner, that even his own clerk could not keep his countenance from laughing.”
She dismissed the Coroner with such disdain that even his clerk couldn't help laughing.
Bardie's haughty reaction to the Coroner's questioning.