Short Fiction · Chapter
A Lickpenny Lover explained
Masie, an eighteen-year-old saleslady at the Biggest Store, catches the eye of wealthy painter and millionaire Irving Carter.
What happens
Masie, an eighteen-year-old saleslady at the Biggest Store, catches the eye of wealthy painter and millionaire Irving Carter. Despite his social standing, Carter becomes infatuated with her and proposes an unconventional meeting, which Masie accepts. Over time, he declares his love and offers marriage, painting a picture of a luxurious, travel-filled life. However, Masie, skeptical and worldly-wise, ultimately dismisses him, revealing to her friend that she considers him too cheap for even a Coney Island wedding tour.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Wealth
The story contrasts Masie's working-class life with Carter's wealth and social position, highlighting the barriers and assumptions between them.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Masie's skepticism about Carter's promises reflects the theme of appearance versus reality, as she doubts his sincerity and the glamorous life he offers.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator describes Masie's life and thoughts, and the unfolding romance with Irving Carter.
- Annie Williams
Masie is the central character, a shrewd and beautiful saleslady at the Biggest Store.
Key passages
“There, were 3,000 girls in the Biggest Store. Masie was one of them.”
The Biggest Store employed three thousand girls, and Masie was among them.
Establishes the setting and Masie's role as a salesgirl.
“She was a deep-tinted blonde, with the calm poise of a lady who cooks butter cakes in a window.”
Masie was a striking blonde, exuding the serene composure of a woman baking butter cakes in a shop window.
Describes Masie's beauty and demeanor.
“He knew in a moment that he stood in the ranks of the ready-made youths who wooed the giggling girls at other counters.”
He realized instantly that he was no different from the other young men flirting with the salesgirls.
Carter's self-awareness of his situation.
“The street-corner is her parlor, the park is her drawing-room; the avenue is her garden walk; yet for the most part she is as inviolate mistress of herself in them as is my lady inside her tapestried chamber.”
For a shopgirl, the street corner serves as her living room, the park as her parlor, and the avenue as her garden path; yet she remains as much in control of herself as any noblewoman in her private chambers.
Narrator's reflection on the shopgirl's autonomy in public spaces.
“He wanted me to marry him and go down to Coney Island for a wedding tour!”
He proposed marriage and suggested a honeymoon trip to Coney Island.
Masie's dismissive summary of Carter's grand plans.