# Knot VII: Petty Cash explained — A Tangled Tale

> Chapter companion for A Tangled Tale by Lewis Carroll.

## What happens

Clara struggles to remember the cost of her luncheon while her aunt Mad Mathesis insists on recording it in her petty cash tablets. They encounter two old sisters at the train station who share the same predicament, leading to a humorous and absurd situation where Clara cannot recall the amount she paid.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Absurdity

The sisters' exaggerated reactions and the absurdity of forgetting a simple luncheon cost drive the chapter's comedy.

### Mathematical Reasoning

Clara attempts to deduce the cost of her luncheon using previous day's records, highlighting arithmetic problem-solving.

### Social Critique

The chapter satirizes the meticulous record-keeping and financial control exerted by Mad Mathesis over Clara's petty expenses.

## Character check-ins

### Clara

Forgets the cost of her luncheon and pleads with her aunt to write it down before she forgets.

### Mad Mathesis

Clara's aunt who meticulously records petty cash and insists Clara remember the luncheon cost.

### Mimi

The smaller, talkative old sister who shares the same predicament of forgetting the luncheon cost.

### Mrs. Sairey Gamp

The fatter, more silent sister who echoes her sister's statements.

## Key lines

> Base is the slave that pays.

The person who pays is considered lowly.

_Opening epigraph setting the tone for the chapter's focus on money and payment._

> Are not the tablets of your memory wide enough to contain the record of one single luncheon?

Isn't your memory good enough to remember just one lunch?

_Mad Mathesis chides Clara for her forgetfulness._

> Nothing like a little Law to cow the ruffians, my dear!

Using legal threats is a good way to intimidate rude people.

_The talkative sister boasts about intimidating the cab driver with legal jargon._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tangled_tale_se/chapters/knot-vii-petty-cash
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tangled_tale_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/a_tangled_tale_se/chapters