Short Fiction · Chapter
XXV: Even Judge Ogle Smiled explained
The narrator recounts humorous exchanges from his trial, including witty repartee between his lawyer, Attorney Dumb, and the opposing counsel, Mr.
What happens
The narrator recounts humorous exchanges from his trial, including witty repartee between his lawyer, Attorney Dumb, and the opposing counsel, Mr. Wheedle. Their banter, which included insults and a joke about suspenders, was so amusing that even Judge Ogle smiled. After the trial, the narrator returns to New York and attends a luncheon at the Plaza in honor of the Queen of Romania, where he observes her quirky behavior and listens to a story from Col. William Grenfall.
Themes in this chapter
Satire of Media and Business
The chapter satirizes the legal profession and high society, with the lawyers' banter being compared to a humor magazine and the luncheon featuring a taxi door opener as a speaker.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Elliott
The narrator of the chapter, recounting the trial and the luncheon.
- Ella
The Queen of Romania, referred to as Marie, who attends the luncheon and displays a folksy demeanor.
- Bert
Col. William Grenfall, who helps open taxi doors and tells a story at the luncheon.
Key passages
“Even Judge Ogle could not suppress a smile, but quickly recovered his dignity and pounded on his desk with dental floss.”
The judge found the lawyers' exchange amusing but tried to maintain order by tapping his desk with a piece of dental floss.
Highlights the absurdity of the courtroom scene.
“Like Jack Dempsey, I became popular in defeat and when I returned to New York I found awaiting me an invitation to attend an exclusive luncheon at the Plaza in honor of the Queen of Romania.”
After losing the trial, the narrator gained popularity and was invited to a prestigious luncheon for the Queen of Romania.
Shows the narrator's social rise despite his legal loss.