Richard Connell

Name: A Reputation
Author: Richard Connell

A Reputation (1922)

Summary

“A Reputation”, published in 1922, is a work by Richard Connell. It explores elements such as Saunders Rook, the Fourth of July and Oscar Findlater.

Quotes from A Reputation (Richard Connell)

Richard Connell, A Reputation (1922)

“ Rook loved good food.
“Because,” said Saunders Rook, with fork poised, “it’s rotten.”
Around the table went murmurs of approbation and interest.
“But, my dear fellow,” exclaimed Deline, warmly laying his hand on Saunders Rook’s arm, “we need men like you.”
“Yes, yes,” cried others about the table. “America needs men with the courage of their convictions.”
“You see,” said Deline, with a wave of his hand. “You ’re needed.”
No one had ever before intimated to Saunders Rook that he was in the least needed. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Richard Connell, A Reputation (1922)

“ He was pleased to know that he was more than a mere name to his employer, and he wished to remain a personage.
“But, my dear young man,” cried Mr. Gowler, distressed, “I ask you, would that be fair to the magazine? People might hold us responsible, you know.”
“No, they won’t.”
“How can we be sure?”
“I have made it plain,” said Saunders Rook, “that no petty, personal motives are behind my act. It is to be purely a protest against the state of civilization in America.”
“America seems pretty civilized to me,” observed Mr. Gowler. “What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s rotten,” said Saunders Rook. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Richard Connell, A Reputation (1922)

“ He was pleased with himself. In retrospect were the sympathetic blue eyes of Margery Storey; in prospect, a dinner among the celebrities of the Authors’ Club, into which sacred premises he had never gone physically, but solely in his most roseate imaginings.
Max Skye, who was a poet of no mean repute, introduced Saunders Rook to a group of notable men.
“This,” said Max Skye, with the air of a showman, “is Mr. Saunders Rook, who is going to commit suicide on the Fourth of July.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Richard Connell, A Reputation (1922)

“ SMOKE and talk filled the dining-room of the Heterogeneous Club, one of those small, intimate clubs of reasonably liberal professional men and women one finds here and there in New York City. Alone, in his accustomed corner, Saunders Rook alternately sipped black coffee and fingered a wan mustache. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Richard Connell, A Reputation (1922)

“ He stopped before a picture-store and moodily gazed at a seascape in the window. He recalled that some sage has said, “Any man can make a reputation; it takes a real man to keep one.” He had a reputation, he reflected. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Richard Connell, A Reputation (1922)

“ Oscar Findlater excitedly stroked the black ribbon that streamed from his nose-glasses. “Why, man alive, it’s overpowering. Biggest idea I’ve struck this year.”
He studied Saunders Rook.
“Your mind is made up?” the great man asked. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Richard Connell, A Reputation (1922)

“ He did not enjoy being ignored any more than any other man does, and he had his full share of man’s natural desire for a beam of the lime-light. A craving for attention had of late been growing more insistent within him. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Richard Connell, A Reputation (1922)

“ Funny how little interest people took in me when I only wanted to live.”
He picked a flower and stuck it in his buttonhole.
“It’s great to have a reputation,” he remarked. Then, as he paced along, added, “But it’s tough to have to live up to it.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

Richard Connell, A Reputation (1922)

“ There were murmurs of “Splendid!” “A big thought!” “There’s a lot more to these quiet chaps than meets the eye.”
Saunders Rook, hearing, glowed.
Just then Oscar Findlater made one of his infrequent appearances at the club. The members were proud of belonging to the same club as Oscar Findlater, who was editor of “The Liberal Voice,” most advanced and oracular of weeklies. He was a vastly serious person of Jovian demeanor. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Richard Connell, A Reputation (1922)

“ Gowler paused significantly.
“Now, what this magazine needs,” he went on, “is a live young man of forceful character, who has modern ideas and is n’t afraid to back them up. Roscoe Quimper is getting old; been an editor too long; we need a man with spirit for his position. Will you take it?”
Saunders Rook moistened dry lips ”

Richard Connell

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Quotes from A Reputation (Richard Connell)

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