W. Pett Ridge

Name: Erb — Chapter 1
Author: W. Pett Ridge

Erb — Chapter 1 (1903)

Summary

“Erb — Chapter 1”, published in 1903, is a work by W. Pett Ridge. It explores elements such as Eaton Square, Erb and Page's Walk.

Quotes from Erb — Chapter 1 (W. Pett Ridge)

W. Pett Ridge, Erb — Chapter 1 (1903)

“ There's a man who utters that which is uppermost in his mind. There's a man,” he leaned forward as though about to give one last applauding compliment, “whose 'ighest ambition, whose most elevated thought, whose one supreme anxiety is for—a tankard of bitter. Friends,” with a whirl of both arms, “we talk about the tyranny and what not of capital: the enmity of the upper circles, but there, jest over there, is the class of man that is our greatest opponent, the man from whom we have most to fear.” ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, Erb — Chapter 1 (1903)

“ They spoke in an undertone of the evening's engagements: one proud man was to turn on the gas, as he cheerfully expressed it, at Victoria Park in the afternoon, another had had a long talk with a member of Parliament, and the member had shaken hands with him; they all presented to the crowd a very serious and thoughtful and statesmanlike appearance as they whispered to each other. Flakes of the crowd began to fall away. The last speaker finished, hoarse and panting.
“Whose turn is it to carry the chair?”
“Erb's!” said the others, quickly. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, Erb — Chapter 1 (1903)

“ I knew he was a loafer,” said Erb. “Let him go now and prop up his favourite pubs; I want to talk to genuine working men, not toimitations of men. My first question is”—he referred to the notes on the back of an envelope which he held in his hand—“my first question is, what is it we working men most keenly desire at the present moment?”
“Tankard of bitter,” said someone.
“Ah!” Herbert Barnes whirled round, and pointed a forefinger at the humorist and his friends. “There's a man who speaks the truth. There's a man what says jest the thing he really thinks. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, Erb — Chapter 1 (1903)

“ Thursday had been selected to fit the convenience of certain visitors whose establishments on that day closed early.
“We shall be rather short of gentlemen, by-the-by.”
“I can quite understand that.”
“I suppose, Erb,” said Alice to her brother doubtfully, “you wouldn't care to come if I got you an invite? If you did, you'd have to remember that I told them you were an inspector: you mustn't make me look like a story-teller. I'd get you asked, Louisa,” she said candidly to her short sister, “if you looked better than you do. I don't think your work does you any good.” ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, Erb — Chapter 1 (1903)

“ Same time, it's a selfish life in my opinion. You don't live for the sake of anybody.”
“I live for the sake of a good many people,” said Erb, dodging into the road to evade a square of girls carrying hymn-books, and returning with his chair to the pavement. “What I'm anxious to do is to see the world better and brighter, to organise either by word of mouth or otherwise——”
“Old man!” ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, Erb — Chapter 1 (1903)

“ Being parlourmaid in Eaton Square, and about five foot ten from top to toe, don't entitle anybody to come down 'ere to Page's Walk and act about as though Bricklayers' Arms Station belonged to them. After all, she's only a servant, Erb; there's no getting away from that. She doesn't get her evenings to herself like I do. Compared with her, I'm almost independent, mind you. I may 'ave to work 'ard in the day, I don't deny it, and the work isn't over and above 'ealthy, but after seven o'clock at night I'm me own mistress, and I can go out and about jest as I jolly well like. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, Erb — Chapter 1 (1903)

“ Children waited anxiously in doorways for the signal to approach the one gay, over-satisfying meal of the week, at which there was always an unusual exhibition of geniality and good temper that would eventually conciliate the worried mother, who had devoted the morning to providing the meal. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, Erb — Chapter 1 (1903)

“ Another talented speaker is 'ere to address you. I refer to our friend Barnes—better known per'aps to all of you as Erb.”
The crescent-shaped crowd, growling applause, gave signs of movement, and a round-faced young man, standing at the side of the chair, looked up modestly at the sky.
“He, as you all know, 'ails from the district of Berminsey, where he exercises a certain amount of influence, and, in spite of his youth, is recognised as a positive power in the labour world. He is accustomed to hit straight from the shoulder, and he fears neether friend nor foe. ”

[↩︎]

Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, Erb — Chapter 1 (1903)

“ Erb repeated firmly. “Besides, you look all right. Your face is a bit white, but,” with a burst of compliment, “you'd pass in a crowd. No cheese for me. You 'ave some.”
“I've done, thanks.” She bowed her head and spoke rapidly in an undertone. “What we have received the Lord make
The fact that the tall sister from Eaton Square called before Louisa had changed and taken her hair out of curlers was attributed by Louisa to the tall sister's unvarying desire to see Page's Walk at its worst, to find thus excuse for showering upon it her contempt. ”

W. Pett Ridge

Summary

Quotes from Erb — Chapter 1 (W. Pett Ridge)

Common terms

Similar works

Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature