# II: Ritchey explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

The narrator and his family move from the Baldwin Hotel to a Riverside Drive apartment, driven by Ella's desire to give Kate a chance to meet 'real men.' The move proves costly and impractical, with the apartment costing $4,000 a year and the family struggling to find affordable help. The chapter also reveals that Trumbull's driver, Ritchey, is married with children, which dashes Kate's romantic interest in him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Aspiration

The family's move to Riverside Drive is driven by a desire to climb socially and provide Kate with opportunities to meet wealthy men, despite the financial strain.

### Marriage and Gender Roles

Ella's focus on finding a husband for Kate and the narrator's role as the breadwinner highlight traditional gender roles and the importance of marriage for women's security.

## Character check-ins

### Ella

The narrator's wife, who insists on moving to Riverside Drive to improve Kate's chances of meeting a suitable man, despite the high cost.

### Kate Hayes

The narrator's sister-in-law, who is the focus of the family's efforts to find a husband. She is initially interested in Trumbull's driver, Ritchey, but loses interest upon learning he is married.

### Mr. Trumbull

A wealthy older man who is infatuated with Kate and offers the use of his car and driver, Ritchey, while he is away.

### Ritchey

Trumbull's driver, described as trustworthy and devoted to his family, which includes a wife and two children.

## Key lines

> “Sis,” she says, “here’s the chance of a lifetime. Mr. Trumbull’s head over heels in love with you and all as you have to do is encourage him a little. Can’t you try and like him?”

Ella urges Kate to consider Mr. Trumbull as a suitor, emphasizing the opportunity he represents.

_Ella sees Trumbull as a good match for Kate, but Kate is not interested._

> “I’d write to an employment agency,” I says, “and I’d tell them we’ll pay good wages.”

The narrator suggests using an employment agency and offering higher wages to find a cook.

_The family's initial attempts to hire a cook at low wages fail, leading to this suggestion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/ii-ritchey
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters