# VI: Summary of Events During the Master’s Second Absence explained — The Master of Ballantrae > Chapter companion for The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson. ## What happens Mr. Henry falls gravely ill, and Mackellar and Mrs. Henry nurse him. During his delirium, he speaks only of trivial matters and childhood memories with the Master, never of the recent duel or his wife. Mackellar prepares a written account of events to show Mrs. Henry, hoping to secure her understanding and loyalty. After Henry recovers, he becomes overly indulgent with his son Alexander, repeating his own father's mistakes and causing concern for the child's future. Mackellar confronts Henry about this, but the chapter ends with the family divided and the threat of the Master's return looming. ## Themes in this chapter ### Loyalty and Betrayal Mackellar's unwavering loyalty to Mr. Henry contrasts with Mrs. Henry's pragmatic acceptance of the Master's potential return, highlighting the tension between personal allegiance and family duty. ### Identity and Inheritance The fear that Alexander will inherit not just the estate but also the Master's flawed character underscores the theme of inherited identity and the cyclical nature of family patterns. ### Fate and Consequence Mr. Henry's illness and subsequent amnesia about the duel suggest a fateful escape from memory, while the looming return of the Master brings inevitable consequences for the family. ## Character check-ins ### Mr. Henry Falls deathly ill after the duel; during delirium speaks only of trivial matters and childhood memories of the Master; slowly recovers but shows no memory of the tragedy, causing fear of mental unsoundness. ### Mrs. Henry Nurses Mr. Henry alongside Mackellar; argues that the Master cannot be excluded from the house due to public opinion; later shows constancy and kindness but is troubled by her husband's indulgence of their son. ### Mr. Mackellar Prepares a 'budget' of documents to reveal the truth to Mrs. Henry; remains loyal to the family despite frustrations; later confronts Mr. Henry about his parenting of Alexander. ### The Master Absent but a constant threat; his potential return hangs over the household; mentioned in Mr. Henry's delirium as 'Jamie' in childhood danger. ### Alexander Mr. Henry's son; becomes the object of excessive indulgence by his father, raising fears he may become a second Master. ### Miss Katharine Durie Poor neglected Miss Katharine; Mrs. Henry falls back on her society as her husband grows distant. ## Key lines > We are so falsely situate we dare not show the man the door; the country would fly on fire against us; and I had this one hold upon him—and now it is gone—now he may come back tomorrow, and we must all sit down with him to dinner, go for a stroll with him on the terrace, or take a hand at cards, of all things, to divert his leisure! Mackellar laments that they cannot expel the Master because public opinion would turn against them, and now that their leverage (the letters) is gone, they must welcome him back as if nothing happened. _Mackellar's frustration at the family's helplessness against the Master's return._ > He stands upon his degradation, he makes that his strength; it is in vain to struggle with such characters. Mrs. Henry argues that the Master uses his own dishonor as a weapon, making him immune to threats of shame. _Mrs. Henry's insight into the Master's character._ > I belong to Durrisdeer, Mrs. Henry, as if I had been born there. Mackellar reassures Mrs. Henry that he will remain loyal to the family despite his earlier threat to leave. _Mackellar's declaration of lifelong service._ > The man had gone to sleep, he was dreaming a dream, and any rough awakening must infallibly prove mortal. Mackellar fears that Mr. Henry's blissful ignorance about his son's upbringing will be shattered, with fatal consequences. _Mackellar's concern about Mr. Henry's denial regarding Alexander._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters/vi-summary-of-events-during-the-master-s-second-absence - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_master_of_ballantrae_se/chapters