Short Fiction · Chapter
II explained
The chapter details the difficulties of rooming with Elliott on the training trip.
What happens
The chapter details the difficulties of rooming with Elliott on the training trip. He has strange habits, such as running the bathtub all night and shaving in the middle of the night while staring at his roommates, which frightens them. After many complaints, John asks the narrator to room with Elliott, and he agrees.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Elliott
Has disruptive habits like running water all night and shaving in the middle of the night, scaring his roommates.
- John Knowles
Tries to manage the rooming situation, asking the narrator to room with Elliott.
- Larry Moon
The narrator's current roommate, with whom he is satisfied.
Key passages
“Before the trainin' trip was over, Elliott had roomed with pretty near everybody in the club.”
Elliott had been assigned to room with nearly every player on the team during the training trip.
Highlights Elliott's difficult nature.
“He always insisted on havin' the water run in the bathtub all night, because he said it reminded him of the sound of the dam near his home.”
He always wanted the bathtub faucet running all night because the sound reminded him of a dam near his home.
Explains one of Elliott's peculiar habits.
“Instead o' doin' it in the bathroom he'd lather his face and then come out and stand in front o' the lookin'-glass on the dresser.”
He would lather his face in the bathroom but then come out to shave in front of the dresser mirror.
Describes Elliott's unsettling shaving routine.