# Forcible Ejectment explained — The Maid of Sker > Chapter companion for The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore. ## What happens Davy reflects on the wisdom of ancestors and his own fortunes on New Year's Day 1783, counting his money and worrying about Bardie and Bunny. He sets fire to Parson Chowne's ricks and outbuildings in revenge, confesses to Isabel Carey, and hides from the search party. Chowne offers a reward for Davy's capture, and Davy struggles with hunger and isolation. ## Themes in this chapter ### Morality and Hypocrisy Davy justifies arson as righteous revenge against Parson Chowne's hypocrisy, while Isabel Carey celebrates the destruction. ### Family and Orphanhood Davy's deep concern for Bardie and Bunny, who are neglected and underfed, drives his actions. ### Social Class and Identity Davy's low valuation (ten pounds reward) contrasts with his self-worth; class tensions between the gentry and common folk. ## Character check-ins ### Davy Llewellyn Narrator; reflects on his life, burns Chowne's property, hides from authorities. ### Bardie Davy worries about her health and living conditions at Sker. ### Bunny Davy worries about her being underfed by Churchwarden Morgan. ### Miss Isabel Carey Provides Davy with dinner and encouragement; rejoices at Chowne's losses. ### Parson Chowne Victim of the fire; offers a reward for Davy's capture. ### Churchwarden Morgan Keeps Bunny; known for feeding his family sawdust. ## Key lines > Those things which have been settled for us by long generations of ancestors, all of whom must have considered the subjects, one after the other painfully, and brought good minds of ancient strength (less led away than ours are) to bear upon what lay before them, also living in a time when money went much further, and got a deal more change in honesty, which was then more plentiful⁠—to rush, I say, against the bulwarks of our noble elders (who showed the warmth of their faith by roasting all who disagreed with them), would be, ay and ever will be, a proof of a rebellious, scurvy, and perpetually scabby nature. Davy argues that challenging the traditions of our ancestors, who were wiser and lived in more honest times, is a sign of a rebellious and contemptible character. _Opening reflection on tradition and rebellion._ > I counted my money, to the tune of five-and-twenty level pounds; an amount of cash beyond all experience! Yet, instead of being dazzled, I began to see no reason for not having fifty. Davy counts his 25 pounds, a sum he never had before, but quickly starts thinking he could have 50. _Davy's growing ambition despite his modest fortune._ > You dear old Davy, I never thought you had so much courage. You are the very bravest man⁠—but stop, did you burn the whole of them? Isabel Carey praises Davy for his courage and asks if he burned all of Chowne's ricks. _Isabel's enthusiastic approval of Davy's arson._ > As a Justice of the Peace, I offer ten pounds reward for David Llewellyn, brought before me, alive or dead. Parson Chowne, acting as a magistrate, offers a ten-pound reward for Davy's capture, dead or alive. _Chowne's official response to the fire._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xl-forcible-ejectment - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters