# A Talk with the Squire explained — The Wyvern Mystery

> Chapter companion for The Wyvern Mystery by J. Sheridan Le Fanu.

## What happens

Harry Fairfield, after a long day's ride and a heavy meal, falls asleep in the dining room and dreams of the old Squire's death. He is awakened by Tom Ward, who tells him the Squire is calling for him. The Squire, having learned of the birth of a child at Carwell Grange, rages against Alice Maybell and Charles Fairfield, denouncing Alice as treacherous and expressing disdain for the coming inheritance disputes. He reminisces about the past, drinks with Tom Ward, and ultimately dismisses Harry with contempt, lamenting the decline of the Fairfield line.

## Themes in this chapter

### Inheritance and Legacy

The Squire discusses the future of Wyvern, the claims of Alice's child, and the potential legal battles, expressing indifference to who inherits.

### Family and Dysfunction

The Squire's bitter denunciations of Alice, Charles, and Harry reveal deep familial rifts and resentment.

### Mortality and Aging

The Squire reflects on his own mortality, the passing of old traditions, and the end of the Fairfield line at Wyvern.

## Character check-ins

### Harry Fairfield

Harry eats a huge dinner, falls asleep, and is woken by Tom Ward to speak with the Squire. He invents an excuse about not seeing the baby at Carwell Grange.

### Old Squire Fairfield

The Squire is furious about the news of Alice's child, denounces her and Charles, and rants about the future legal battles over Wyvern. He reminisces about his youth and drinks with Tom Ward.

### Tom Ward

Tom Ward wakes Harry and later drinks with the Squire, defending Harry mildly and recalling Charles and Willie Fairfield fondly.

### Alice Maybell

The Squire repeatedly calls her a 'bad un' and a 'sly lass,' blaming her for eloping with Charles and for the child at Carwell Grange.

### Charles Fairfield

The Squire calls him a 'soft fellow' and a 'mad fellow,' but also remembers him as 'handsome Charlie' and drinks to his memory.

## Key lines

> When marriage gets into the saddle repentance gets up at the crupper.

Marriage leads to regret.

_The Squire uses a rustic proverb to express his cynical view of marriage._

> Well lathered is half shaved, and it won’t break my heart, I promise you.

The preparations are nearly complete, and I don't care.

_The Squire dismisses the coming inheritance disputes as already in motion and of no concern to him._

> The tale’s nigh done. ’Twasn’t bad times wi’ ye here, Tom; we can’t complain; we ’a had our share, and after cheese comes nothing, as the old folks used to say.

Our story is almost over; we've had good times, and now there's nothing left.

_The Squire reflects on his long life at Wyvern and accepts the end._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters/lii-a-talk-with-the-squire
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_wyvern_mystery_se/chapters