Point Counter Point · Chapter
XXXI explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Quarles is interrupted while reading the Encyclopædia Britannica by the unexpected arrival of Gladys Helmsley, his former mistress. She confronts him angrily about their affair, his stinginess, and reveals she is pregnant. Mrs. Quarles walks in during the confrontation, and Gladys turns her fury on her before storming out.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Inequality
Gladys's cockney accent and Mr. Quarles's condescending attitude highlight class tensions; she accuses him of treating her cheaply.
Love and Obsession
Mr. Quarles's past desire for Gladys is contrasted with his current hatred and fear, revealing a sordid form of obsession.
Family and Dysfunction
The confrontation exposes marital betrayal and the breakdown of family trust, with Mrs. Quarles caught in the middle.
Characters to notice
- Old Mr. Quarles
Reading the Encyclopædia Britannica when Gladys arrives; he is frightened and tries to maintain dignity as she berates him.
- Gladys Helmsley
Confronts Mr. Quarles about their affair, his cheap gifts, and her pregnancy; she is furious and sarcastic.
- Mrs. Quarles
Enters during the confrontation, tries to console Gladys, but is met with further anger.
- Marjorie Carling
Mentioned as having had a talk with Mrs. Quarles at the cottage.
Key passages
“A crossword problem had brought Mr. Quarles to the seventeenth volume of the Encyclopædia Britannica. Idle curiosity detained him.”
Mr. Quarles was looking up something for a crossword puzzle and got distracted by other entries.
Opens the chapter, showing his idle and intellectual curiosity.
“Emotion always resuscitated the cockney in her.”
When Gladys got emotional, her working-class accent came back strongly.
Highlights the class dimension of her character.
“And now, on top of everything, I'm going to have a baby.”
Gladys reveals she is pregnant as a result of their affair.
Climax of the confrontation, leading to Mrs. Quarles's entrance.