The Little White Bird · Chapter
The Inconsiderate Waiter explained
The narrator becomes entangled in the personal troubles of William, a waiter at his club, whose wife is gravely ill.
What happens
The narrator becomes entangled in the personal troubles of William, a waiter at his club, whose wife is gravely ill. Despite his disdain, the narrator intervenes to save William's job and later arranges for the wife's convalescence in Surrey. He also commissions her to purchase baby outfits for Mary's child, but Mary deduces his secret identity as her anonymous benefactor, leading to a tense exchange of letters.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Ambition
The narrator's discomfort with William's familiarity and his efforts to maintain social distance while secretly helping.
Loss and Longing
The narrator's reference to a past love ('Memory was the word she used') and his sense of having no home.
Motherhood and Family
William's devotion to his wife, Mrs. Hicking's pride in her baby, and Mary's role as a mother.
Characters to notice
- William Paterson
The inconsiderate waiter whose wife's illness and fear of dismissal drive the chapter's events.
- Irene
William's bold and talkative daughter, who accompanies the party to Surrey and interacts with the narrator.
- Mrs. Hicking
An old nurse of the narrator who hosts William's wife in Surrey and is entrusted with purchasing the baby outfits.
- Mary A⸺
The recipient of the anonymous baby outfits; she writes to the narrator revealing she knows his secret.
- David
Mary's child, for whom the narrator sends outfits; mentioned as growing rapidly.
- Mr. B⸺
A club member whom William accidentally swears at, leading to his temporary removal from the dining-room.
Key passages
“I could not but conclude from the way she let the baby pound her that she was stronger than she pretended.”
The narrator cynically observes that William's wife seems healthier than she lets on, based on how she tolerates the baby's rough play.
Reflects the narrator's skeptical view of the wife's illness and his emotional detachment.
“She had dropped what were meant to look like two tears for me upon the paper, but I should not wonder though they were only artful drops of water.”
The narrator dismisses Mary's tears in her letter as insincere and manipulative.
Highlights the narrator's bitterness and distrust after Mary uncovers his secret.