# XII explained — The Nebuly Coat

> Chapter companion for The Nebuly Coat by John Meade Falkner.

## What happens

Westray visits Sharnall in the organ-loft, where the organist plays his service in D flat. During the performance, Westray becomes disturbed by a sense that the great crack in the tower arch is moving. He abruptly leaves to inspect it, then rushes to London to consult Sir George Farquhar about the danger.

## Themes in this chapter

### Obsession and Madness

Sharnall's obsessive attachment to his composition and Westray's sudden, frantic journey to London suggest a theme of fixation and irrational response.

### Decay and Preservation

The crumbling organ-loft, the dust, the aging music books, and the dangerous crack in the arch all highlight the tension between decay and the effort to preserve the Minster.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Westray

Visits the organ-loft, listens to Sharnall's service, becomes alarmed by the crack in the arch, and travels to London for expert advice.

### Mr. Sharnall

Plays his service in D flat in the organ-loft; is hurt when Westray leaves without comment, but later dismisses his own work as 'poor stuff'.

### Sir George Farquhar

Mentioned as the expert Westray intends to consult about the structural danger.

## Key lines

> The arch never sleeps; they have bound on us a burden too heavy to be borne. We are shifting it; we never sleep.

The arch is under constant strain from an unbearable load and is slowly moving.

_Westray imagines the arch speaking, conveying his growing fear of structural failure._

> I must be off to London in half an hour. The matter is far too serious to play fast-and-loose with.

I need to leave for London immediately because the situation is too dangerous to delay.

_Westray's impulsive decision to travel overnight reflects his alarm about the crack._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_nebuly_coat_se/chapters