W. Pett Ridge

Name: On the Central
Author: W. Pett Ridge

On the Central (1896)

Summary

“On the Central”, published in 1896, is a work by W. Pett Ridge. It explores elements such as Tomkins, Anstruther and mamma.

Quotes from On the Central (W. Pett Ridge)

W. Pett Ridge, On the Central (1896)

“ Bailey shook the dormant Tomkins roughly.
“It’s all ri’, Maria,” said Mr. Tomkins, opening his eyes and closing them again; “I’m not goin’ to work to-day.”
“Wake yourself up, you silly idiot!” cried Mr. Bailey. “We’ve got to set out at once. How is it the boy is not asleep?”
Mr. Tomkins rubbed his eyes and blinked at Master Anstruther stupidly.
“Yes,” he said, “why is it you’re not asleep in bed? Who told you you could wake up? You just see what a lot of trouble you give anybody just for want of a little thought.”
“Listen to me, Tomkins,” said Mr. Bailey. ”

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Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, On the Central (1896)

“ Tomkins. “I’m noo—to a certain extent.”
“You’ll have to smarten up, my man,” said the small boy. “You don’t brush your hair very often, do you?”
“I run a comb through it now and again,” said Tomkins apologetically. “A man can’t be always a-titivating hisself—not a man, that is to say, who’s got his living to earn. You might be always at it if you’d nothing else to do.”
Master Anstruther walked across and examined Tomkins more carefully. He seemed a little puzzled, and glancing round the small office his eyes again rested on Mr. Tomkins’ face. ”

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Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, On the Central (1896)

“ Tomkins adroitly. “She said she might not be long, and on the other ’and she might be some little time—it all depended.”
“Did she kiss me before she went away?”
“Like anything,” said Mr. Tomkins. “I thought she were never going to leave off.”
“She always does that.” The small boy smiled thoughtfully. “We love each other dreffully, my mamma and me.”
“That’s right,” said Mr. Tomkins approvingly. “There’s nothing like it. Respect your parents when they’re young and when they grow up——”
“Who are you?” demanded Master Anstruther. “Are you a new servant?” ”

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Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, On the Central (1896)

“ Tomkins looking thoughtfully at the small boy on the three chairs.
Master Anstruther was so obedient to the draught which Mr. Paul R. Bailey had induced him to take that his round little head rested composedly on the ledge of the biggest chair, and his breath came with regularity.
“As steep a job as ever I was in, and that poor young lady, his mother, will ’ave about the most ’eart-rending night of it that ever was.”
“That cain’t be helped,” said Mr. Paul R. Bailey; “some one’s bound to get left in this world. All we’ve got to do is to take care that it isn’t us.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, On the Central (1896)

“ And if you don’t mind I’ll just have a whiff or two more.”
“I don’t mind,” said Master Anstruther. “Commander Gane always smokes when he comes to dinner. Do you know Commander Gane, Tomkins?”
“May ’ave met him,” said Tomkins sleepily, “in the ’aunts of society, but don’t know him well enough to ’ob-nob with.”
“Commander Gane is going to marry my mamma some day,” said the small boy importantly. “He’s such a big strong fellow. Is this your telephone, Tomkins?”
“Don’t belong me,” murmured Mr. Tomkins closing his eyes. “Belongs ’nother genelman.” ”

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Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, On the Central (1896)

“ THE four-wheeler pulled half way down Bush Lane out of Cannon Street and stopped at a doorway where the brass name plates were so thickly crowded that they seemed to be screaming at each other, protesting at the want of room. A burly young woman was on her knees at the entrance scrubbing, and she looked round as the four-wheeler stopped. ”

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Source: Wikisource

W. Pett Ridge, On the Central (1896)

“ Bailey. “’Tain’t half a bad sort of wine, and if it does go to your head it won’t matter. It’s called Chianti, and——”
“So long as it’s moist,” said Mr. Tomkins agreeably, “and so long as there’s plenty of it I don’t care what it’s called. I’ll take the biggest tumbler.”
When Mr. Paul R. Bailey went in search of his friend (locking the door after him and taking the key) , Master Harry Anstruther, to the flushed Mr. Tomkins’ great amazement, suddenly awoke. ”

W. Pett Ridge

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