Outlander Book Club: Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone Chapter 70 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

The chapter starts with Roger returning to the print shop to find Bree and Marsali covered in ink. He decides to get ready to meet with the Presbyterians himself to make sure his clothes remain clean.

As he gets ready, he thinks about how nice it will be for Bree and Roger to have a place to call their own home. As much as it’s been nice to have family around, he wants his own space. And he would like a study. He will need privacy as a minister, after all.

After getting approval from Bree and Marsali in the way he is dressed, he gets ready to meet with the Presbyterians. Jemmy is there to ask a few questions. There are a few things on his mind, such as whether his dad is going to change once he’s ordained.

When Roger makes it clear that he will still be Jem’s dad and he will still be himself, Jem wonders why it’s so important to Roger to be ordained then. If nothing changes, what’s the point?

Roger uses a few analogies to help Jem understand. The first is as a couple getting handfasted. It’s very different saying the vows to a minister. Jem believes that means that he’s getting married to the church.

Roger then uses the example of Jamie leading men into a battle. Picking up a sword or a rifle signifies that it is time to start a battle, and Jamie is the leader into that battle. Jem comments that Roger may want to be given a sword then.