The Maid of Sker · Chapter
XVI: Truth Lies Sometimes in a Well explained
Davy Llewellyn is visited by Hezekiah Perkins, who lures him to a dry well for a secret conversation.
What happens
Davy Llewellyn is visited by Hezekiah Perkins, who lures him to a dry well for a secret conversation. Hezekiah attempts to pry information from Davy about a hidden truth, hinting at a scheme involving money and a deceased family. Davy resists, recalling a past grievance where Hezekiah ordered a turbot from a Scottish fisherman instead of him. The chapter explores themes of truth, secrecy, and the tension between friendship and self-interest.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Narrative Reliability
The chapter title 'Truth Lies Sometimes in a Well' and the secret conversation in the dry well explore the concealment and pursuit of truth, with Davy and Hezekiah each holding back information.
Morality and Hypocrisy
Hezekiah's religious pretensions and his scheme for profit contrast with his claims of doing good, highlighting hypocrisy. Davy's internal conflict about partnership also touches on moral boundaries.
Social Class and Identity
Davy's pride in his Welsh heritage and his resentment of the Scottish fisherman Sandy Macraw reflect class and regional identity tensions.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Davy is the narrator, reflecting on his promise to play the violin at the Jolly Sailors and his unease from Evan Thomas's prophecy. He is cautious and proud, holding a grudge against Hezekiah for a past slight.
- Hezekiah Perkins
Hezekiah visits Davy to discuss a secret matter, using flattery and religious pretensions to try to extract information. He is manipulative, boastful about his education, and eager to partner with Davy for profit.
- Bardie
Bardie is mentioned as Bunny, who tugs and clamours for breakfast, indicating her presence in Davy's household.
- Sandy Macraw
Sandy Macraw is referenced as the Scottish fisherman to whom Hezekiah gave a turbot order, causing Davy's resentment.
- Evan Thomas
Evan Thomas is mentioned as 'black Evan,' whose prophecy causes Davy unease, leading him to seek lively company.
- Mother Jones
Mother Jones is briefly mentioned as a person Davy considers sending Bunny to.
Key passages
“Truth Lies Sometimes in a Well”
The truth can be hidden or discovered in unexpected places, like a dry well.
Chapter title reflecting the theme of concealed truth.
“I had worked both hard and long at the Jolly Sailors: and this in fulfilment of a pledge from which there was no escaping, when I promised on the night before to grease and tune my violin, and display the true practice of hornpipe.”
Davy had worked hard at the Jolly Sailors tavern, fulfilling a promise to play the violin and demonstrate a hornpipe dance.
Davy explains his late rising due to his commitment at the tavern.
“A better place for secret talk, in a parish full of echoes, scarcely could be found, perhaps, except the old 'Red House' on the shore.”
The dry well is an ideal spot for private conversation in a parish where sound carries easily.
Davy reflects on the suitability of the well for secrecy.
“I am up to the moods and the tenses, the accidents and the proselytes. The present I know, and the future I know; the Peter-perfection, and the hay-roost—”
Hezekiah boasts of his Latin education, mixing up grammatical terms with religious jargon.
Hezekiah's pretentious claim to learning, revealing his ignorance.
“David Llewellyn put under the feet of a fellow like Sandy Macraw—a beggarly, interloping, freckled, bitter weed of a Scotchman!”
Davy feels insulted that Hezekiah preferred the Scottish fisherman Sandy Macraw over him.
Davy's lingering resentment over the turbot order.
