The Maid of Sker · Chapter
Notice to Quit explained
Davy reflects on his failed ferry business and the loss of his dreams, including a public house and family.
What happens
Davy reflects on his failed ferry business and the loss of his dreams, including a public house and family. He describes his growing admiration for Isabel Carey, who convinces him to give up ferrying after a near-sinking incident with three noblemen on Christmas morning. Davy also intensifies his watch on Narnton Court, suspecting two savage spies from Braunton Burrows of sabotaging his boat. He overhears a conversation between Sir Philip Bampfylde and Parson Chowne, where Sir Philip expresses humility and concern about his son's honor, while Chowne defends the son's innocence.
Themes in this chapter
Class Mobility and Ambition
Davy's dreams of owning a public house and training Bunny as a barmaid reflect his aspirations for upward mobility, which are dashed by the failure of his ferry business.
Morality and Hypocrisy
Davy contrasts his own conscientiousness with Parson Chowne's unholy actions and contempt for religious cant, highlighting hypocrisy in the clergy.
Truth and Narrative Reliability
Davy's account of his own virtue and the events is subjective, and he admits to concealing 'little trifles about myself,' questioning the reliability of his narration.
Characters to notice
- Davy Llewellyn
Reflects on his failed ferry business, his admiration for Isabel Carey, and his determination to confront the spies who sabotaged his boat.
- Bardie
Mentioned in Davy's plans for training Bunny as a barmaid, but not directly present in the chapter.
- Miss Isabel Carey
Convinces Davy to give up his ferry service after hearing of his danger; Davy adores her and she steps into his boat with beautiful boots.
- Sir Philip Bampfylde
Overheard on the terrace at Narnton Court, expressing humility and concern about his son's honor, and sniffing the sea air.
- Parson Chowne
Overheard with Sir Philip, defending Sir Philip's son against dishonor and displaying his characteristic sarcasm.
- Nanette
Briefly mentioned as having hopes of marrying Davy, but she refuses to board his boat, leading Davy to favor Isabel Carey.
Key passages
“All golden dreams will vanish thus; no life of smiling Boniface, but of gun-muzzles was before me; no casting-up of shot by pence, but ramming down on pounds of powder.”
All his hopeful plans for a peaceful life as an innkeeper are gone, replaced by a violent future of military conflict.
Davy laments the loss of his dreams of a public house and family, foreseeing a life of warfare instead.
“I began to see most clearly that the foul outrage upon my boat must have been perpetrated by one or both of those savage fellows who were employed as spies upon this great house, from the landward side.”
Davy concludes that the damage to his boat was done by one or two savage men spying on Narnton Court from the land.
Davy identifies the likely culprits for his boat's sabotage as the spies from Braunton Burrows.
“The water was rushing in through a mighty hole in the planks of the larboard bow; and in three minutes we must be swamped.”
Water poured in through a large hole in the left side of the boat, threatening to sink it within minutes.
During the Christmas ferry trip, Davy discovers a hole in the boat that nearly causes it to sink.