Waverley · Chapter
A Soldier's Dinner explained
Waverley dons Highland dress and joins Fergus MacIvor, the Baron of Bradwardine, Bailie Macwheeble, and Ensign Maccombich for a dinner at Mrs.
What happens
Waverley dons Highland dress and joins Fergus MacIvor, the Baron of Bradwardine, Bailie Macwheeble, and Ensign Maccombich for a dinner at Mrs. Flockhart's. The conversation turns to financing the campaign, with the Baron revealing his financial difficulties and Fergus making light of death and bequests. The Bailie's lament over the potential loss of the Bradwardine estate to Inch-Grabbit is interrupted by laughter, and the party discusses the impending battle.
Themes in this chapter
Identity and Belonging
Waverley's adoption of Highland dress symbolizes his growing identification with the Jacobite cause and Highland culture.
Honor and Duty
The Baron's concern for his daughter's future and Fergus's casual attitude toward death reflect different aspects of honor and duty in the face of war.
Social Class and Hierarchy
The dinner gathering includes a chieftain, a baron, a bailie, and an ensign, highlighting the social structure within the Jacobite camp.
Characters to notice
- Edward Waverley
Assumes Highland dress and is pleased with his appearance; offers to share his subsidy with the Baron.
- Fergus MacIvor
In high spirits, dismissive of danger, and makes light of his own potential death; jokes about converting Mrs. Flockhart.
- Baron of Bradwardine
Concerned about campaign expenses; tearfully thinks of his daughter Rose's future should he fall.
- Bailie Macwheeble
Uneasy about the Baron's finances; laments the possible loss of the Bradwardine estate to Inch-Grabbit.
- Evan Dhu Maccombich
Praises Waverley's appearance and skill with broadsword; jokes about the coming fight.
- Mrs. Flockhart
Hosts the dinner; touched by Fergus's speech about his potential death; leaves to prepare tea.
- Callum Beg
Guards the tailor to ensure Waverley's Highland dress is finished quickly.
- Flora MacIvor
Mentioned by Fergus as someone who would have other matters to think of than money if he falls.
Key passages
“He’s a pratty man, a very pratty man”
He is a handsome man, a very handsome man.
Evan Dhu compliments Waverley's appearance in his new Highland dress.
“Claw for claw, as Conan said to Satan, Mrs. Flockhart, and the deevil tak the shortest nails.”
Tit for tat, as Conan said to Satan, and the devil take the one with the shortest nails.
Evan Dhu responds to Mrs. Flockhart's question about facing the dragoons, indicating a willingness to fight fiercely.
“I hae evermore found the sinews of war, as a learned author calls the caisse militaire, mair difficult to come by than either its flesh, blood, or bones.”
I have always found the funds for war, as a learned author calls the military chest, more difficult to obtain than the men themselves.
The Baron comments on the difficulty of securing money for the campaign.
“It is the testamentum militare, quoth the Baron, whilk, amang the Romans, was privilegiate to be nuncupative.”
It is the soldier's will, said the Baron, which among the Romans was allowed to be spoken rather than written.
The Baron refers to Fergus's verbal bequest to Mrs. Flockhart as a Roman military testament.
