The Maid of Sker · Chapter
Waiting and Learning explained
Davy reflects on his dealings with Parson Chowne, who pays him three half-crowns a week and provides a hayloft.
What happens
Davy reflects on his dealings with Parson Chowne, who pays him three half-crowns a week and provides a hayloft. He returns to the Rose of Devon to find Fuzzy gone, the ketch laid up, and only Bang left. Davy considers walking home but stays due to wildfowl and a gift of food from Bang's grandmother. He also learns of the scandal surrounding Captain Drake Bampfylde, suspected of murdering two children, and notes that Isabel Carey supports Drake's innocence.
Themes in this chapter
Truth and Narrative Reliability
Davy questions the accusations against Drake Bampfylde and reflects on the unreliability of witnesses.
Morality and Hypocrisy
Parson Chowne enjoys burning enemies' property but fears fire near his own; Davy contrasts his own motives with Chowne's assumptions.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Returns to the Rose of Devon, finds the ketch laid up, and contemplates his situation.
- Parson Chowne
Pays Davy three half-crowns a week and provides a hayloft; warns Davy to keep quiet.
- Bang
Delivers a message from Fuzzy; later his grandmother brings Davy a gift of food.
- Captain Drake Bampfylde
Suspected of murdering two children; Davy believes him innocent.
- Miss Isabel Carey
A ward of Sir Philip Bampfylde who supports Drake's innocence.
- Parson Jack Rambone
Visits Davy, fills his pipe, and advises him to keep his mouth shut.
Key passages
“What this great man now said to me had better not be set down perhaps; because it proved him incapable of forming due estimate of my character.”
Davy decides not to record Parson Chowne's words because they showed Chowne misunderstood Davy's character.
Davy's narrative restraint highlights his sense of dignity.
“I found my breast and heart aglow with all the fine feeling of younger days, the moment the above occurred to me; and it would not have cost me two blows to knock down any man who misunderstood me.”
Davy feels youthful passion and readiness to fight anyone who misjudges his intentions.
Davy's emotional response reveals his pride and sense of honor.
“I never found one who would do such a thing as kill and slay two children, much less dig their graves in the sand, and come home to dinner afterwards.”
Davy asserts that no captain he has known would murder children and then calmly return to a meal.
Davy's defense of Drake Bampfylde based on his experience with captains.