Earl Derr Biggers

Name: The Bird In The Cage
Author: Earl Derr Biggers

The Bird In The Cage (1909)

Summary

“The Bird In The Cage”, published in 1909, is a work by Earl Derr Biggers. It explores elements such as Aloysius McMan, Kansas City and elfin sprite.

Quotes from The Bird In The Cage (Earl Derr Biggers)

Earl Derr Biggers, The Bird In The Cage (1909)

“ All that night, walking the shore, and later in my room I fought resolutely to keep my mind from Aloysius McMan, little, pink, blithe, prattling of ten years' happiness in the shadow of his tragedy. With an effort I thought instead of Kansas City station, with the trains coming and going, the traveling men in their loud waistcoats struggling with catch-as-catch-can meals—of Irene, stately, blond, beautiful, smiling haughtily upon the throng that pleaded before her counter. Likewise I dreamed of peaches and cream, and of one lunch-counter doughnut I had encountered, which was soft. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Earl Derr Biggers, The Bird In The Cage (1909)

“ At a distance he was little, commonplace, fat. Just a pink-cheeked business-man all ready to declare a dividend. Until you looked in his eyes. Then you saw romance, and a longing for ports where the big ships never touch.”
I knew then that O'Grady had read the message of a kindred soul in the eyes of Aloysius McMan. My friend was himself a follower of strange gods along the shores of picture-book lands—a lover of the world's byways, a shunner of its highways. We dropped down under a convenient palm and looked out towards the waves where they whispered their unnecessary admonition to the sand. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Earl Derr Biggers, The Bird In The Cage (1909)

“ And all through the years he had dreamed of this sprite she had been growing up—growing up—and here she was in Limona, ready to blast the dreams of Aloysius McMan by simply walking into his picture. Here she was—a very estimable lady, no doubt, but no sight for any man who still saw her as a butterfly among the flowers.
“I resolved that at any cost McMan and this woman must not meet. The ideal my newly found friend cherished so dearly must not be shattered. That cherubic, joyous countenance must not be clouded by a knowledge of the tragedy the years had wrought. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Earl Derr Biggers, The Bird In The Cage (1909)

“ I pointed over the sand.
“'What this woman wants,' said I, 'heaven only knows. But I feel that she would convert us to some cause. We are on this shore to avoid the sex, Aloysius McMan—let us escape before it is too late.'
“McMan looked, and an expression of deep pain was in his eyes. To one who had dreamed for ten years of a dancer like an elfin sprite, the very sight of such a woman as this must naturally have been distressing. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Earl Derr Biggers, The Bird In The Cage (1909)

“ Who will question my joy? Does anyone tell me what to do for a cold? No. Does anyone lecture me about the effect of alcohol on the stomach? No. Does anyone inquire as to where I am going, and when I am coming back? No. I am free to roam as I will, and for company I have her image—her image, as I saw her last, dainty, an elfin sprite, dancing like a butterfly from flower to flower. Do butterflies do that? No matter. I am the happiest man in the world.'
“He turned that face of his toward the skies. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Earl Derr Biggers, The Bird In The Cage (1909)

“ She grew up in Orleans. Her mother was of my race. Once the world was at her twinkling feet, señor. Carrambos! What do the years hold sacred?'
“Well, there you have the tragedy that dawned upon me, as I sat under that palm in the company of Aloysius McMan. Figure it out yourself. For ten years he had wandered in strange lands, happy in his memory of the little elfin dancer who had shed a tear at parting. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Earl Derr Biggers, The Bird In The Cage (1909)

“ In the face of this desperate situation Irene of Kansas City was forgot, and I turned, heart and soul, to the salvation of Aloysius McMan.
“'Aint you about due to fold your tent and do the Arab specialty out of Limona?' I inquired.
“'Not yet,' he replied. 'No, I aint ready to pull out yet. But if I was, I'd waste no time. That's the beauty of this life, my boy. You can move the memory of a woman in a flash, whereas it takes a month to get the real article started, and then like as not she's forgot everything of importance. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Earl Derr Biggers, The Bird In The Cage (1909)

“ I picked out a country I could and pronounce, bought a ticket.
“'For ten years I have wandered along this coast with no company save her image. Her image, as last I saw her, a sprite of joy in the spotlight. Yes, she was on the stage. A dancer, and one who never touched earth. ”

Earl Derr Biggers

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Quotes from The Bird In The Cage (Earl Derr Biggers)

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