# Come and Try It explained — The Prime Minister

> Chapter companion for The Prime Minister by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Mr. Wharton arranges for Emily and Ferdinand Lopez to move into his home, driven by a desire to have his daughter back and to provide financial relief. He writes a loving note to Emily, softening the harshness of the arrangement. Lopez instructs Emily to manipulate her father into agreeing, revealing his self-serving nature. The chapter ends with the plan set in motion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wealth and Financial Insecurity

The entire chapter revolves around the financial motivations for the move, with Lopez's money troubles and Wharton's provision of housing.

### Deception and Self-Invention

Lopez instructs Emily to present the idea as her own, manipulating her father through deception.

### Duty vs. Personal Desire

Emily's duty to her husband conflicts with her personal feelings of shame and discomfort about the arrangement.

## Character check-ins

### Abel Wharton

Arranges for Emily and Lopez to live with him, writes a tender note to Emily, and sets strict household rules.

### Emily Lopez

Feels wretched about the arrangement but is comforted by her father's note; is instructed by Lopez to manipulate her father.

### Ferdinand Lopez

Jovial about the move, instructs Emily on how to approach her father, and reveals his pragmatic and manipulative nature.

### Mrs. Roby

Present at the dinner with Mr. Wharton, mentioned as a guest.

## Key lines

> He had found out that the saving so effected would be material to Lopez, and had resolved that there should be no shirking of the truth in what he was prepared to do.

Wharton realized the financial benefit to Lopez and decided to be straightforward about it.

_Wharton's pragmatic approach to the arrangement._

> When two men are in a boat together they must be true to each other, else neither will get to the shore.

Lopez justifies his trust in Parker with a metaphor about mutual dependence.

_Lopez's cynical view of partnership._

> Put your arm over him, and kiss him, and all that sort of thing.

Lopez instructs Emily to use physical affection to manipulate her father.

_Lopez's manipulative instructions to Emily._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters/xl-come-and-try-it
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prime_minister_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_prime_minister_se/chapters