# After Breakfast explained — Riceyman Steps

> Chapter companion for Riceyman Steps by Arnold Bennett.

## What happens

On a Monday morning, Violet discovers the gas bill and hides it from Henry. She confronts Elsie about gas usage while preparing breakfast. At breakfast, Violet tries to get Henry to eat an egg, but he refuses, adhering to his strict dietary frugality. Later, Violet helps clean the shop and Henry prepares a large bill for Mr. Bauersch, insisting on cash payment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Miserliness and Obsession

Henry's refusal to eat the egg, his insistence on cash payment, and Violet's anxiety over the gas bill highlight the couple's obsessive frugality.

### Domesticity and Routine

The Monday morning routine of cleaning, breakfast preparation, and shop opening is depicted in detail, emphasizing the ritualistic nature of domestic life.

### Service and Sacrifice

Elsie's dedication to her work, skipping tea and working through, exemplifies the self-sacrificing service expected of domestic servants.

## Character check-ins

### Violet Earlforward

Hides the gas bill from Henry, confronts Elsie about gas usage, tries to coax Henry into eating an egg, and helps clean the shop.

### Henry Earlforward

Refuses to eat the egg Violet offers, insists on cash payment from Mr. Bauersch, and writes out a bill while wearing his new eyeglasses.

### Elsie

Works diligently on Monday morning, skips tea to save time, and is confronted by Violet about the geyser gas usage.

### Mr. Bauersch

A big dealer from New York who is buying a large collection and is asked by Henry to pay in cash.

## Key lines

> He would calmly and reflectively pick his teeth while trains left stations without him and bargains escaped him.

Henry would leisurely pick his teeth, unconcerned about missing trains or losing business opportunities.

_Illustrates Henry's unhurried nature and his indifference to external pressures._

> The contract between employers and employed in that house had long since passed, so far as the employed was concerned, far beyond the plane of the commercial.

Elsie's relationship with her employers had transcended a mere business arrangement, becoming one of total devotion.

_Highlights Elsie's extraordinary loyalty and the non-commercial nature of her service._

> Up to thirty, eat as much as you can. After thirty, as much as you want. After fifty, as little as you can do with.

Henry's dietary philosophy: eat freely in youth, moderately in middle age, and sparingly in old age.

_Reveals Henry's rationalization for his extreme frugality with food._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters/part-iii-ii-after-breakfast
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/riceyman_steps_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/riceyman_steps_se/chapters