SECRETS

In Chapter XV of “Just David,” titled “Secrets,” David is eager to share his experiences from his second visit to Sunnycrest with Jack and Jill. However, upon arrival, he finds only Jill at home. Their interaction is less awkward this time, and they converse freely in the open outdoors. David is disappointed that Jack is not there, as he especially wanted to see him. Jill explains Jack’s absence by saying he’s “gone pot-boiling,” a metaphor for Jack selling garden produce to make ends meet, despite his dislike for the task. Jack is depicted as struggling and unhappy, partly due to his illness.

Jill inadvertently shares too much about Jack’s feelings and the family’s situation with David, feeling guilty, she changes the subject to distract him. Despite her efforts, David brings up the little gate that leads to a path to Sunnycrest, referring to it as the way to the “Lady of the Roses.” Jill reveals that Jack forbids her to cross the bridge to Sunnycrest, which leaves David puzzled and determined to convince Jack of the beauty and worthiness of visiting Sunnycrest.

Jack returns home and is so captivated by David’s violin playing that he listens in delight, forgetting about the bridge. David plays familiar melodies with joy, expressing how he misses having his own music sheets. Jack learns of David’s talent and wishes he could support David to pursue his music further, touching upon David’s potential to “find his work” in music.

A discussion of a hypothetical hundred gold-pieces as a means to fund David’s musical education leads to a fleeting thought by David of revealing his secret stash of gold but he hesitates, fearing Jack might misunderstand his honesty.

Jack and David briefly touch upon David’s recent visit to Sunnycrest and the “Lady of the Roses,” indirectly hinting at Jack’s past experiences with the place and the lady, which he recalls with apparent indifference. This chapter highlights themes of aspiration, secrecy, and the complexities of human emotions and relationships, as David navigates his way through the lives of those around him, hoping to share and spread the joy and wonder he finds in music and his discoveries.