The Splendid Fairing · Chapter
IV explained
Sarah and May visit the doctor in Witham, where Sarah learns she is going blind.
What happens
Sarah and May visit the doctor in Witham, where Sarah learns she is going blind. Despite the grim news, the two women find comfort in each other's company and discuss the past, including Geordie and Jim. Sarah reveals Geordie has written asking for money to return home, and May offers her savings, but Sarah refuses out of pride and lingering jealousy.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Memory
Sarah and May are haunted by memories of Geordie and Jim; the past dominates their present emotions and decisions.
Motherhood and Loss
Sarah's grief over Geordie's departure is likened to losing a child; she feels blind without him, just as she faces physical blindness.
Aging and Regret
Both women reflect on lost chances—Sarah's blindness and Geordie's absence, May's unmarried state—and the weight of years.
Characters to notice
- Sarah Thornthwaite
Learns she is going blind; struggles with telling Simon; refuses May's offer to help bring Geordie home.
- May Fleming
Accompanies Sarah to the doctor; offers to tell Simon about Sarah's blindness; offers her savings to bring Geordie home.
- Geordie Thornthwaite
Has been gone for twenty years; wrote asking for money to return home; May still loves him.
- Jim Thornthwaite
Mentioned as a former suitor of May; also a failure in Canada; Sarah disliked him.
- Simon Thornthwaite
Sarah worries about telling him about her blindness; he is likely telling Will and Mr. Dent about leaving the farm.
Key passages
“Once Geordie'd kissed me, I never mixed 'em up again!”
After Geordie kissed me, I never confused him with Jim.
May explains why she chose Geordie over Jim.
“It's the eyes make the heart sore more nor half the time. But I'd ha' felt badly about it if Geordie was coming back, and I couldn't ha' framed to see his face.”
It's often the eyes that cause heartache. But I would have been devastated if Geordie were returning and I couldn't see his face.
Sarah reveals that her blindness matters less because Geordie is gone.
“I've a bit put by I could spare. It could go from you, Mrs. Thornthet—he need never know.”
I have some savings I could lend. It could come from you—he wouldn't have to know it was from me.
May offers to fund Geordie's return anonymously.