Shifting the Blame
The narrator advised the maid that she was not with child but afflicted with a disorder incidental to young women, which he could easily remove. He prescribed medicines that he claimed would procure abortion. However, the maid, having been warned by the narrator of his design and knowing her own true condition, absolutely refused the directions and threatened to publish her situation if Crab did not provide for the occasion. The narrator guessed the result of Crab’s deliberation from the latter’s subsequent address to him.
Crab’s Dilemma
Faced with the threat to his reputation—since scandal about uncleanness was particularly damaging in his part of the island and would give his rival Potion a handle for insult and undermining—Crab found himself in a dilemma. He could not simply dismiss the matter, for he knew the pregnancy would provide ammunition against him. His options were limited by the fear of what his rival might do with such damaging information.
Departure for London
Crab addressed the narrator one day, expressing surprise that a young fellow showed no inclination to push his fortune in the world. He suggested the narrator could get aboard a king’s ship as surgeon’s mate, citing the coming war against Spain as opportunity for practice and prize money. The narrator seized this long-wished-for opportunity but explained he lacked funds for necessaries and the journey to London. Crab offered to lend him money for the journey and maintenance in London until he could procure a warrant for a ship. The narrator accepted, knowing Crab’s true motive was to lay the bastard to his charge after his departure. The narrator set out for London with one suit of clothes, half a dozen each of ruffled and plain shirts, two pairs of worsted and threaded stockings, a case of pocket instruments, a small edition of Horace and Wiseman’s Surgery, and ten guineas in cash—his whole fortune. Crab took his bond at five percent interest and gave him a letter to a member of parliament.
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page focuses on a guided summary article, reading notes, selected quotes, and visual learning materials for educational purposes.