# VII: Hudson explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

The family arrives in Hudson and is greeted by a young boy who offers to guide them. They find lodging with a woman who takes in loggers, and later meet a sailor who needs a ride to New York. The next morning, the sailor has been kicked out for not paying his bill, and the family departs early.

## Themes in this chapter

### Satire of Media and Business

The chapter satirizes small-town commerce and the interactions with the local boy and landlady.

## Character check-ins

### Bert

Narrator of the chapter, describes the family's misadventures in Hudson.

### Mr. Grant

Father, interacts with the locals and pays the bill.

### Mrs. Green

Mother, requests an early wake-up call.

## Key lines

> We were turing gaily down the main st of Hudson when a man of 12 years capered out from the side walk and hoped on the runing board.

As we drove happily down Hudson's main street, a 12-year-old boy jumped onto our running board.

_The narrator's playful description of the boy's antics._

> He wouldnt pay his bill and razed hell so I kicked him out replid the lanlady in her bear feet.

The landlady said the sailor didn't pay and caused a ruckus, so she threw him out, barefoot.

_The landlady's blunt explanation of the sailor's departure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/vii-hudson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters