P. G. Wodehouse

Name: Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3
Author: P. G. Wodehouse

Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3 (1920)

Summary

“Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3”, published in 1920, is a work by P. G. Wodehouse. It explores elements such as Jill, stage and panic.

Quotes from Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3 (P. G. Wodehouse)

P. G. Wodehouse, Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ The movement towards the exits had not yet become a stampede, but already those with seats nearest the stage had begun to feel that the more fortunate individuals near the doors were infernally slow in removing themselves.
Suddenly, as if by mutual inspiration, the composure of the stalls began to slip. Looking from above, one could have seen a sort of shudder run through the crowd. It was the effect of every member of that crowd starting to move a little more quickly.
A hand grasped Jill's arm. It was a comforting hand, the hand of a man who had not lost his head. ”

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Source: Wikisource

P. G. Wodehouse, Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ Jill followed him across the stage. Her heart was beating violently. There was not only smoke now, but heat. Across the stage little scarlet flames were shooting, and something large and hard, unseen through the smoke, fell with a crash. The air was heavy with the smell of burning paint.
"Where's Sir Chester Portwood?" enquired her companion of the stage-hand, who hurried beside them.
"'Opped it!" replied the other briefly, and coughed raspingly as he swallowed smoke.
"Strange," said the man in Jill's ear, as he pulled her along. "This way. Stick to me. Strange how the drama anticipates life! ”

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Source: Wikisource

P. G. Wodehouse, Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ Jill recoiled involuntarily.
"It's all right," said her companion. "It smells worse than it really is. And, anyway, this is the quickest way out."
They passed through on to the stage, and found themselves in a world of noise and confusion compared with which the auditorium which they had left had been a peaceful place. Smoke was everywhere. A stage-hand, carrying a bucket, lurched past them, bellowing. From somewhere out of sight on the other side of the stage there came a sound of chopping. Jill's companion moved quickly to the switchboard, groped, found a handle, and turned it. ”

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Source: Wikisource

P. G. Wodehouse, Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ The stalls, snatched from the intimidating spell of the darkness and able to see each other's faces, discovered that they had been behaving indecorously and checked their struggling, a little ashamed of themselves. The relief would be only momentary, but, while it lasted, it postponed panic.
"Go straight across the stage," Jill heard her companion say, "out along the passage and turn to the right, and you'll be at the stage-door. I think, as there seems no one else around to do it, I'd better go out and say a few soothing words to the customers. ”

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Source: Wikisource

P. G. Wodehouse, Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ We can stroll out quite comfortably by our own private route. Come along."
Jill looked over her shoulder. Derek and Lady Underhill were merged into the mass of refugees. She could not see them. For an instant a little spasm of pique stung her at the thought that Derek had deserted her. She groped her way after her companion, and presently they came by way of a lower box to the iron pass-door leading to the stage.
As it opened, smoke blew through, and the smell of burning was formidable. ”

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Source: Wikisource

P. G. Wodehouse, Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ The asbestos curtain was already on its way down, which should have been reassuring: but then asbestos curtains never look the part. To the lay eye they seem just the sort of thing that will blaze quickest. ”

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Source: Wikisource

P. G. Wodehouse, Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3 (1920)

“ Jill pointed to where her ally was still addressing an audience that seemed reluctant to stop and listen to him.
The stage-hand squinted out round the edge of the curtain.
"If he's a friend of yours, miss, kindly get 'im to cheese it and get a move on. We're clearing out. There's nothing we can do. It's got too much of an 'old. In about another two ticks the roof's going to drop on us."
Jill's friend came squeezing back through the opening.
"Hullo! Still here?" He blinked approvingly at her through the smoke. "You're a little soldier! ”

P. G. Wodehouse

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Quotes from Jill the Reckless — Chapter 3 (P. G. Wodehouse)

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