# Roger Carbury and His Two Friends explained — The Way We Live Now

> Chapter companion for The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Roger Carbury returns to Carbury after finding Ruby Ruggles living with her aunt Mrs. Pipkin in Islington. He advises John Crumb to wait before visiting Ruby, believing a little hardship will do her good. Later, at Lowestoft, Roger encounters Paul Montague with Mrs. Hurtle and rebukes Paul for his compromising situation with her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family Obligation and Selfishness

Roger Carbury feels responsible for Ruby Ruggles's welfare and advises John Crumb, while Ruby's grandfather has disowned her.

### Deception and Hypocrisy

Roger Carbury is not entirely sincere with John Crumb about Felix's involvement with Ruby; Paul Montague's public appearance with Mrs. Hurtle is deceptive to society.

## Character check-ins

### Roger Carbury

Returns home after finding Ruby Ruggles; advises John Crumb to delay his visit; later confronts Paul Montague at Lowestoft about his relationship with Mrs. Hurtle.

### John Crumb

Visits Roger Carbury to learn about Ruby; expresses his love and anxiety about the Baronet; considers sending Mrs. Pipkin a blue cloak.

### Ruby Ruggles

Living with her aunt Mrs. Pipkin in Islington; Roger believes she is a good girl and that hardship will do her good.

### Paul Montague

Found at Lowestoft with Mrs. Hurtle; introduces her to Roger Carbury; admits the folly of his situation but feels unable to desert her.

### Mrs. Hurtle

Accompanies Paul Montague to Lowestoft; coldly acknowledges Roger Carbury; leaves the two men to talk.

## Key lines

> Huggery-Muggery is pi’son to me, squoire.

Secrecy and underhandedness are poison to me, squire.

_John Crumb expresses his disdain for secretive behavior in romantic matters._

> I think that a little hardship up at Mrs. Pipkin’s will do her good.

I believe that some difficulty while living with Mrs. Pipkin will benefit Ruby.

_Roger Carbury advises John Crumb to let Ruby experience some discomfort to appreciate a better life._

> Is this wise?

Is this a sensible course of action?

_Roger Carbury questions Paul Montague's judgment in being publicly seen with Mrs. Hurtle._

## Links

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