# Provides for Education explained — The Maid of Sker

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

## What happens

Davy makes arrangements for the welfare of Bunny and Miss Delushy before his departure, including a new will and educational provisions. He secures the new schoolmaster, Master Roger Berkrolles, to teach Bunny and Delushy, and resolves legal troubles with Justice Anthony Stew. He also visits Colonel Lougher and Lady Bluett to ensure Bardie's education is attended to.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Orphanhood

Davy provides for Bunny and Bardie, both orphans, ensuring their education and welfare before his departure.

### Class Mobility and Ambition

Davy's rise in the Royal Navy and his efforts to secure a good education for the children reflect aspirations for social advancement.

### Morality and Hypocrisy

Davy's confrontation with Justice Stew reveals the hypocrisy and corruption in local justice, while Davy himself navigates moral compromises.

## Character check-ins

### Davy Llewellyn

Makes a new will, arranges education for Bunny and Delushy, confronts Justice Stew, and visits Colonel Lougher and Lady Bluett to secure Bardie's education.

### Bardie

Davy's lawful granddaughter, who is to be educated by Master Roger Berkrolles; shows remarkable intelligence and curiosity during lessons.

### Miss Delushy

Davy leaves her his boat and ten guineas; she is also to receive free instruction and bread-and-butter from Master Berkrolles.

### Master Roger Berkrolles

The new schoolmaster who takes on the education of Bunny and Delushy; he is patient and tells beautiful stories to Bardie.

### Justice Anthony Stew

Magistrate who had issued warrants against Davy; Davy confronts him and gets the warrants quashed.

### Colonel Lougher

Davy visits him and Lady Bluett to discuss Bardie's education; he is put in legal charge of Bardie.

### Lady Bluett

Promises to see to Bardie's education if needed.

## Key lines

> But what is wealth without education? No more than a plummet without the line.

Wealth is useless without education, just as a plumb line is useless without the line itself.

_Davy emphasizes the importance of education over material wealth._

> I seized the bull by the horns, and offered Master Roger Berkrolles the occupancy of my cottage upon most liberal conditions.

I took decisive action and offered Master Roger Berkrolles the use of my cottage on generous terms.

_Davy arranges for Bunny's education by providing housing for the schoolmaster._

> Because thou art the only rogue I never was a match for.

Because you are the only rogue I could never outwit.

_Justice Stew admits Davy's cleverness in their exchange._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xliv-provides-for-education
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters