# IV explained — The Splendid Fairing

> Chapter companion for The Splendid Fairing by Constance Holme.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_splendid_fairing_se/chapters