Waverley · Chapter
Things Mend a Little explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Morton returns with an invitation from Major Melville for Waverley to dine with him, hoping to clear his name. The Major's mood improves upon hearing that the Highlanders may have withdrawn. Waverley reluctantly accepts the invitation and the dinner party becomes lively. Their merriment is interrupted by the sound of a drum, announcing the arrival of Gifted Gilfillan and his party.
Themes in this chapter
Change and Transition
Waverley's circumstances shift from suspicion to a more hopeful social engagement, reflecting the chapter's title 'Things Mend a Little.'
Identity and Belonging
Waverley struggles with his identity as a soldier and man of honor while under suspicion, and works to present himself favorably to his hosts.
Characters to notice
- Edward Waverley
Accepts Major Melville's dinner invitation after persuasion from Mr. Morton; displays natural conversational talents and resilience despite his predicament.
- Major Melville
Invites Waverley to dinner after hearing a favorable report; shows hospitality and good humor upon receiving news that the Highlanders may have withdrawn.
- Mr. Morton
Acts as mediator between Waverley and Major Melville; uses tact to persuade Waverley to accept the invitation and helps lighten the mood at dinner.
- Gilfillan
Commands the party that arrives with a drum; silences the drummer for playing a secular tune and orders the 119th Psalm instead.
Key passages
“About noon Mr. Morton returned and brought an invitation from Major Melville that Mr. Waverley would honour him with his company to dinner, notwithstanding the unpleasant affair which detained him at Cairnvreckan, from which he should heartily rejoice to see Mr. Waverley completely extricated.”
Around midday, Mr. Morton came back with a dinner invitation from Major Melville, who expressed his hope that Waverley would be cleared of the charges against him.
The Major extends an olive branch despite the ongoing investigation.
“He dared not urge to him the real motive, which was a good-natured wish to secure a favourable report of Waverley's case from Major Melville to Governor Blakeney.”
Mr. Morton did not reveal his true reason for urging Waverley to accept the invitation: to ensure Major Melville would give a positive report to Governor Blakeney.
Morton's kindness is strategic, aiming to help Waverley's legal situation.
“The drum advanced, beating no measured martial tune, but a kind of rub-a-dub-dub, like that with which the fire-drum startles the slumbering artizans of a Scotch burgh.”
The drum approached, playing not a proper military rhythm but a simple, repetitive beat reminiscent of a fire alarm in a Scottish town.
The drum's sound is described as unprofessional and jarring.