The Coming of Bill · Chapter
The Misadventure of Steve explained
Steve Dingle feels increasingly out of place at the Winfields' new Fifth Avenue home, where Lora Delane Porter's strict, antiseptic regimen for baby William has replaced the easygoing atmosphere of the old studio.
What happens
Steve Dingle feels increasingly out of place at the Winfields' new Fifth Avenue home, where Lora Delane Porter's strict, antiseptic regimen for baby William has replaced the easygoing atmosphere of the old studio. Keggs the butler complains about the pampering, and Steve, hoping to propose to Mamie, visits the nursery. He finds the room transformed into a sterile hospital-like space, and Mamie sprays him with boric acid. Their quiet moment is interrupted by the approaching voices of Lora Delane Porter, causing panic.
Themes in this chapter
Parenthood and Child Rearing
The chapter contrasts the old, free-range upbringing of William at the studio with Lora Porter's new, antiseptic, overprotective regimen.
Class and Bohemianism
Steve's discomfort in the formal Fifth Avenue home versus his ease at the bohemian studio highlights the clash between wealth and artistic simplicity.
Characters to notice
- Steve Dingle
Feels alienated by the Winfields' new wealth and Lora Porter's influence; visits the nursery hoping to propose to Mamie but fails again.
- Keggs
Complains to Steve about Lora Porter's pampering of William and the antiseptic nursery.
- Mamie
Nurse to William; sprays Steve with boric acid and fears Lora Porter's wrath when she hears voices approaching.
- Mrs. Lora Delane Porter
Dominates the household with her strict, antiseptic methods; her voice is heard approaching the nursery, causing panic.
- William Bannister Winfield
The baby, asleep in his sterile nursery; his godfather Steve visits but does not wake him.
Key passages
“I’ve ’ad the privilege of serving in some of the best houses in England,” said the butler one evening, as they sat smoking in the pantry, “and I’ve never seen such goings on. I don’t hold with the pampering of children.”
Keggs tells Steve that despite his experience in fine English homes, he's never seen such excessive coddling of a child.
Keggs criticizes Lora Porter's methods, reflecting the theme of parenthood and child rearing.
“It’s boric acid,” explained Mamie. “I shouldn’t wonder. Is this all part of the Porter circus?” “Yes.””
Mamie sprays Steve with boric acid as part of Lora Porter's sterilization routine, which Steve sarcastically calls 'the Porter circus.'
Highlights the extreme hygiene measures imposed by Lora Porter.