Charles W. Chesnutt

Name: The Marrow of Tradition — XVI.
Author: Charles W. Chesnutt

The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

Summary

“The Marrow of Tradition — XVI.”, published in 1901, is a work by Charles W. Chesnutt. It explores elements such as Ellis, Delamere and Clara.

Quotes from The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (Charles W. Chesnutt)

Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ Clara frowned, but perceiving Mrs. Carteret's eye fixed upon her, restrained any further expression of annoyance.
The major's liking for Ellis had increased within the year. The young man was not only a good journalist, but possessed sufficient cleverness and tact to make him excellent company. The major was fond of argument, but extremely tenacious of his own opinions. Ellis handled the foils of discussion with just the requisite skill to draw out the major, permitting himself to be vanquished, not too easily, but, as it were, inevitably, by the major's incontrovertible arguments. ”

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Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ The next best thing, he reasoned, to having a woman love you, is to have her dislike you violently,--the main point is that you should be kept in mind, and made the subject of strong emotions. He thought of the story of Hall Caine's, where the woman, after years of persecution at the hands of an unwelcome suitor, is on the point of yielding, out of sheer irresistible admiration for the man's strength and persistency, when the lover, unaware of his victory and despairing of success, seizes her in his arms and, springing into the sea, finds a watery grave for both. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ Major Carteret's countenance wore an angry look.
"The negroes around this town are becoming absolutely insufferable," he averred. "They are sadly in need of a lesson in manners."
Half an hour later they neared another group, who were also making merry. As the carriage approached, they became mute and silent as the grave until the major's party had passed.
"The negroes are a sullen race," remarked the major thoughtfully. "They will learn their lesson in a rude school, and perhaps much sooner than they dream. By the way," he added, turning to the ladies, "what was the arrangement with Tom? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ Ellis hardly knew whether to feel pleased or disappointed at the success of his manoeuvres. He had spared Miss Pemberton some mortification, but he had saved Tom Delamere from merited exposure. Clara ought to know the truth, for her own sake.
On the beach, a few rods away, fires were burning, around which several merry groups had gathered. The smoke went mostly to one side, but a slight whiff came now and then to where Mrs. Carteret sat awaiting them.
"They're roasting oysters," said Mrs. Carteret. "I wish you'd bring me some, Mr. Ellis." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ She took Ellis's arm with exaggerated cordiality. Delamere glared after them angrily. Ellis did not stop to question her motives, but took the goods the gods provided. With no very great apparent effort, Miss Pemberton became quite friendly, and they strolled along the beach, in sight of the hotel, for nearly half an hour. As they were coming up she asked him abruptly,--
"Mr. Ellis, did you know Tom was in the hotel?" ”

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Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ Carteret dryly, "but you ought to have let us know. We have been worrying about you very much. Clara has found the evening dreadfully dull."
"Indeed, no, sister Olivia," said the young lady cheerfully, "I've been having a lovely time. Mr. Ellis and I have been up in the parlor; I played the piano; and we've been eating oysters and having a most delightful time. Won't you take me down there to the beach, Mr. Ellis? I want to see the fires. Come on."
"Can't I go?" asked Tom jealously.
"No, indeed, you mustn't stir a foot! You must not overtax yourself so soon; it might do you serious injury. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ We had rather not meet the persons who have seen, even though they never mention, the skeletons in our closets. Delamere had disposed of himself for the evening. Ellis would have a fairer field with Delamere out of sight and unaccounted for, than with Delamere in evidence in his present condition.
"Wouldn't you rather take a stroll on the beach, Miss Clara?" he asked, in the hope of creating a diversion.
"No, I'm going to the parlor. _You_ needn't come, Mr. Ellis, if you'd rather go down to the beach. I can quite as well go alone." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ Let me see. There are five of us. The general has offered me a seat in his buggy, and Tom can go with you-all."
The general came up and spoke to the ladies. Tom murmured his thanks; it would enable him to make up a part of the delightful evening he had missed.
When Mrs. Carteret had taken the rear seat, Clara promptly took the place beside her. Ellis and Delamere sat in front. When Delamere, who had offered to drive, took the reins, Ellis saw that his hands were shaking.
"Give me the lines," he whispered. "Your nerves are unsteady and the road is not well lighted." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ Ellis turned away in disgust, and went slowly back to the ladies.
"There seems to be no one here yet," he reported. "We came a little early for the evening crowd. The clerk says Tom Delamere was here to luncheon, but he hasn't seen him for several hours."
"He's not a very gallant cavalier," said Mrs. Carteret severely. "He ought to have been waiting for us."
Clara was clearly disappointed, and made no effort to conceal her displeasure, leaving Ellis in doubt as to whether or not he were its object. Perhaps she suspected him of not having made a very thorough search. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ I can play the piano anyway, if there's no one to talk to."
"I find it very comfortable here, Clara," replied her sister placidly. "Mr. Ellis will go with you. You'll probably find some one in the parlor, or they'll come when you begin to play."
Clara's expression was not cordial, but she rose as if to go. Ellis was in a quandary. If she went through the hall, the chances were at least even that she would see Delamere. He did not care a rap for Delamere,--if he chose to make a public exhibition of himself, it was his own affair ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ Occasionally our party passed a person, or a group of persons,--mostly negroes approximating the pure type, for those of lighter color grew noticeably scarcer as the town was left behind. Now and then one of these would salute the party respectfully, while others glanced at them indifferently or turned away. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Charles W. Chesnutt, The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (1901)

“ I 'spec' she's lookin' at the picture on the opposite wall, suh."
"All right," whispered Ellis, pressing a coin into the servant's hand. "I'm going up to the parlor with the lady. You go up ahead of us, and keep in front of us along the hall. Don't dare to look back. I shall keep on talking to the lady, so that you can tell by my voice where we are. When you get to room 256, go in and shut the door behind you: pretend that you were called,--ask the gentlemen what they want,--tell any kind of a lie you like,--but keep the door shut until you're sure we've got by. Do you hear?" ”

Charles W. Chesnutt

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Quotes from The Marrow of Tradition — XVI. (Charles W. Chesnutt)

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