Hilaire Belloc

Name: The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3
Author: Hilaire Belloc

The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (1912)

Summary

“The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3”, published in 1912, is a work by Hilaire Belloc. It explores elements such as Brassington, Kirby and Green Overcoat.

Quotes from The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (Hilaire Belloc)

Hilaire Belloc, The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (1912)

“ In the smoking-room of Sir John Perkin's house upon the same evening of Monday, the 2nd of May, sat together in conversation a merchant and a friend of his, no younger, a man whose name was Charles Kirby, whose profession was that of a solicitor. The name of the merchant who had retired apart to enjoy with this friend a reasonable and useful conversation, was Mr. John Brassington. He was wealthy, he dealt in leather; he was a pillar of the town of Ormeston, he had been its mayor. He was an honest man, which is no less than to say the noblest work of God. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hilaire Belloc, The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (1912)

“ Curse it all, Kirby, two thousand pounds!"
"The devil!" said Charles Kirby.
"It is the Devil," said John Brassington emphatically.
And it was, though he little knew it, for it was in that very moment that the Enemy of Mankind was at work outside in the hall upon the easy material of Professor Higginson. It was in that very moment that the Green Overcoat was enclosing the body of the Philosopher, and was setting out on its adventures from Sir John Perkin's roof. Even as Mr, Brassington spoke these words the outer door slammed. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hilaire Belloc, The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (1912)

“ If you think all that about Algernon you shouldn't have sent him to Cambridge."
"I sent him to Cambridge by your advice, Kirby," said Mr. Brassington with dignity.
"I would give it again," said Mr. Kirby, crossing his legs. "It's an extraordinary thing that a rich man like Perkin has good port one day and bad port another. ... He ought to go to Cambridge. I have a theory that everyone should go to Cambridge who can afford it, south-east of a line drawn from——"
"Don't, Charles, don't," said Mr. Brassington, a little pained, "it 's very serious!" ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hilaire Belloc, The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (1912)

“ I suppose that Green Overcoat of yours has got luck in the lining?"
"It has a cheque-book of mine in the pocket," said John Brassington.
"Yes, but that 's not what you 're bothering about," said Mr. Kirby. "You 're bothering about the luck. For a man who hates cards, John, you 're superstitious."
For some paces Brassington said nothing, then he said—
"Long habit affects men."
"Of course it does," said Mr. Kirby, with the fullest sympathy. "That is why so many people are afraid of death. They 're afraid of the change of habit." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hilaire Belloc, The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (1912)

“ Kirby. "It 's a curious thing how eagerly a young man will take to expectations!"
"You simply don't know what you 're saying, Charles," answered Mr. Brassington; "and if I didn't know you as well as I do, I 'd walk out of the room."
"I know what I am saying exactly," riposted Mr. Kirby with as much heat as his quizzical countenance would allow. "I was going to follow it up if you hadn't interrupted me. I say it 's a curious thing how a young man will be moved by expectations. That 's why they gamble. Thank God, I never married! They like to see something and work for it. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hilaire Belloc, The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (1912)

“ The best of these was too anxious an attachment to the son who must inherit his wealth. The next best a habit of giving rather too large and unexpected sums of money to objects which rather too suddenly struck him as worthy. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hilaire Belloc, The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (1912)

“ Certain insignificant but marked idiosyncrasies in his dress accompanied this violence of moral emotion. For some reason best known to himself, he never carried an umbrella or a walking-stick. He wore driving gloves upon every possible occasion, suitable and unsuitable, and he affected in particular, in all weathers not intolerably warm, a remarkable type of Green Overcoat with which the reader is already sufficiently acquainted. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hilaire Belloc, The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (1912)

“ Kirby carelessly. "He 's learning it now like the devil. It 's an abominable shame, mind you, and I don't mind telling you so. I 've a good mind to send him the money myself."
"If you do, Charles," said John Brassington, with one of his fierce looks, "I 'll, I 'll——"
"Yes, that's what I was afraid of," said Mr. Kirby thoughtfully. "You 're an exceedingly difficult man to deal with. ... I shouldn't have charged him more than five per cent. You 'll lose your train, John."
John Brassington looked at his watch again. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Hilaire Belloc, The Green Overcoat — Chapter 3 (1912)

“ Brassington, with a sudden curious mixture of cunning and firmness in his voice, "I haven't paid the last, though!"
"Oh, you haven't?" said Mr. Kirby, looking up. He smelt complications.
"No, I haven't ...! I gave him fair warning," said the elderly merchant, setting his mouth as squarely as possible, but almost sobbing in his heart. "Besides which it 's ruinous."
"I wonder if he gave the young bloods fair warning?" mused Mr. Kirby. "Last Grand National——"
"Oh, Lord, Charles!" burst out Mr. Brassington, uncontrollable. ”

Hilaire Belloc

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