Riceyman Steps · Chapter
III: The Bookseller at Home explained
Henry Earlforward is shown in his private den at the back of his bookshop, a cluttered and dusty space.
What happens
Henry Earlforward is shown in his private den at the back of his bookshop, a cluttered and dusty space. He reflects on his routine, his inheritance from his uncle T. T. Riceyman, and the dramatic story of the Clerkenwell Underground Railway construction. His calm is disturbed by the possibility that his charwoman Elsie might leave to marry, and by his growing interest in the lady across the way, Violet Arb.
Themes in this chapter
Domesticity and Routine
Henry's life is governed by routine; the potential loss of his charwoman threatens to disrupt his domestic order.
Urban Decay and Industrial London
The dramatic story of the Underground construction highlights the upheaval and decay of Clerkenwell's urban landscape.
The Past and Memory
Henry vividly recalls his uncle's tale of the railway disaster, showing how the past shapes his present.
Characters to notice
- Henry Earlforward
The bookseller, shown in his private den, reflecting on his routine, his inheritance, and his growing interest in Violet Arb.
- Elsie
Henry's charwoman; Dr. Raste has inquired about her, and Henry fears she may leave to marry.
- Dr. Raste
Visited the shop under the pretext of buying a Shakespeare but actually to inquire about Elsie.
- T. T. Riceyman
Henry's deceased uncle, whose inheritance and dramatic storytelling about the Clerkenwell Underground Railway are recalled.
- Violet Earlforward
The lady across the way; Henry has not yet spoken to her but is disturbed by his interest in her.
Key passages
“He was a solitary man, and content in his solitude; at any rate, he had been content until the sight of the newly-come lady across the way began to disturb the calm deep of his mind.”
Henry was happy alone until he saw the new lady across the street, which unsettled him.
Introduces Henry's growing interest in Violet Arb.
“He had faith in time, which for him was endless and inexhaustible, and even in this grave matter of his domesticity he could calmly reflect that if the lady across the way (whom he had not yet spoken to) should favour him, he might be in a position to ignore the vagaries of all charwomen.”
Henry trusts that time will solve his problems, and thinks that if the lady across the street likes him, he won't need to worry about his charwoman leaving.
Shows Henry's pragmatic and patient approach to life.
“The old man swore that exactly one thousand lawyers had signed a petition in favour of the line, and exactly one thousand butchers had signed another similar petition.”
Henry's uncle claimed that exactly a thousand lawyers and a thousand butchers each signed petitions supporting the railway.
Highlights the colorful, exaggerated storytelling of T. T. Riceyman.