# The Little Maid, and the Midshipman explained — The Maid of Sker

> Chapter companion for The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore.

## What happens

Davy teaches sailing to young Rodney Bluett and the village children on the seashore. Rodney arrives in a coach, eager to join the Navy despite the peace. Bardie, still weak, defends Rodney when Davy scolds him for offering a bribe. Davy advises Rodney to wait for a proper appointment, but Rodney eventually secures a midshipman's berth on the Alcestis. Davy helps with his outfit and keeps Rodney's old schoolbooks, now stabbed with a dirk.

## Themes in this chapter

### Maritime Life and Adventure

Davy's sailing lessons and Rodney's determination to join the Navy highlight the allure and discipline of seafaring life.

### Class Mobility and Ambition

Rodney's ambition to become a midshipman and Davy's role as an instructor show how naval service offered social advancement.

### Family and Orphanhood

Davy cares for Bardie and Bunny, while Rodney's family (his uncle and mother) are involved in his naval aspirations.

## Character check-ins

### Davy Llewellyn

Teaches sailing lessons, advises Rodney, and keeps his stabbed schoolbooks.

### Bardie

Still weak from illness, she defends Rodney when Davy scolds him.

### Captain Rodney Bluett

Eager to join the Navy, he visits Davy and later secures a midshipman appointment.

### Bunny

Mentioned as being cared for by Davy alongside Bardie.

### Colonel Lougher

Rodney's uncle, who is excited about Rodney's naval outfit.

### Mother Jones

Her children are among the village children who play on the beach.

## Key lines

> Not only was I treated so that I need not have bought any food at all⁠—except for Bardie and Bunny⁠—but also employed at a pleasant price to deliver lessons every morning as to the names of sails and ropes and the proper style of handling them.

I was given so much food that I didn't need to buy any for myself, only for Bardie and Bunny, and I was paid well to teach sailing lessons each morning.

_Davy describes his comfortable situation and his role as a sailing instructor._

> I could not bear to be hard upon these young ones⁠—and some of them good Mother Jones’s own⁠—all in a mess of activity; and I tried to think that it was all right, because money was earning anyhow.

I couldn't be strict with the village children, including Mother Jones's kids, who were playing in the sand, and I convinced myself it was fine since I was still earning money.

_Davy's leniency with the children during his lessons._

> My boy, if it were fifty, five hundred, or five thousand, would an officer of the Royal Navy think of listening to them? You have hurt my sense of honour.

Even if you offered me fifty, five hundred, or five thousand guineas, no Royal Navy officer would accept a bribe. You've offended my honor.

_Davy rebukes Rodney for offering a bribe to help him join the Navy._

> I will write to my brother in London,” he said; “he has never done me a good turn yet; perhaps he will begin this time.

Rodney said he would write to his brother in London, who had never helped him before, hoping he might assist him now.

_Rodney's plan to secure a naval appointment through his brother._

## Links

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