# X: A Gay Christmas Eve explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

The narrator describes a lively Christmas Eve at the Grudges' home, where servants and family mingle democratically. The laundress Mrs. Stevens engages in witty banter, and the evening includes caroling, a baby's cry inspiring a song, and a charity mission on Christmas morning to a poor Italian family, where Mrs. Grudge plays a practical joke with a gull instead of a turkey. The chapter ends with the exchange of gifts and stockings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Satire of Media and Business

The narrator's witty repartee and the practical jokes highlight a satirical view of social customs.

## Character check-ins

### Walter Donaldson

Present at the party, gets inspiration for a song from Mrs. Stevens' lines.

### Ella

Mrs. Stevens, the laundress, who is witty and participates in the festivities.

### Bert

Mr. Grudge, called Doc, suggests carols and gives horses as gifts.

## Key lines

> Mr. Lardner,” she said to me as we watched Bera Grudge and the hostler trim the tree, “I suppose I may expect a present from you.” “Yes,” I replied, “and it will be something appropriate for a person of your calling. I am going to give you a cuff in the neck.”

Mrs. Stevens jokes that she expects a gift from the narrator, who retorts that he will give her a cuff on the neck, fitting for her profession.

_Shows the playful, teasing relationship between the narrator and the laundress._

> “Nevertheless,” said Mrs. Grudge, “what I gave him was a gull. He will open the bundle thinking it is a turkey or something else edible, and when he sees what it is, he will tell his kiddies the joke and the laughter will be general all day.”

Mrs. Grudge explains that she gave the poor family a gull instead of a turkey, expecting the joke to bring laughter.

_Illustrates the Grudges' sense of humor and their charitable but mocking approach._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters/x-a-gay-christmas-eve
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_62_se/chapters