School Stories · Chapter
An International Affair explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Oliver Ring of New York opens a branch of his 'Come-One Come-All Up-to-date Stores' in Wrykyn, threatening the local confectioner's shop, Cook's, which has long been a beloved school institution. Dunstable and Linton, loyal to Cook's, devise a plan to discredit Ring's by making themselves and several other boys ill after eating buckwheat cakes there, leading the headmaster to put the store out of bounds.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
In this excerpt, the narrative climax occurs as the tension surrounding the impending Greek examination reache…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Friendship and Loyalty
Dunstable and Linton's loyalty to Cook's and their collaborative scheme to protect it from the new competition.
- Trickery and Cunning
Dunstable's plan to feign illness after eating buckwheat cakes to make Ring's appear unwholesome, a clever deception to protect Cook's.
- Authority and Rebellion
The boys' manipulation of the situation leads the headmaster to ban Ring's, showing a subtle rebellion against the new commercial order.
Characters to notice
- Dunstable
Loyal to Cook's, devises a scheme to make Ring's Stores appear unwholesome by eating buckwheat cakes and feigning illness.
- J. Linton
Dunstable's friend and chemistry enthusiast; participates in the plan to discredit Ring's Stores.
- Mr. Oliver Ring
American entrepreneur who opens a branch of his chain store in Wrykyn, threatening local businesses.
- Merrett
Mentioned as one of the boys who patronizes Ring's instead of Cook's.
- The Headmaster
After the illness incident, puts Ring's Stores out of bounds.
- The Doctor
School doctor who diagnoses the boys' illness as likely caused by the food from Ring's.
Key passages
“Cook's is the one school institution which nobody forgets who has been to Wrykyn.”
Cook's is the most memorable school institution for anyone who has attended Wrykyn.
Highlights the sentimental value of Cook's to the school community.
“It's a cinch, a lead-pipe cinch.”
It's an absolutely certain and easy success.
Mr. Ring's confident American slang about his business venture.
“The thing was a public disaster. It resembled the advent of a fox in a fowl-run.”
The opening of Ring's Stores was a calamity for local tradesmen, like a fox entering a henhouse.
Metaphor for the disruptive impact of the new store on established businesses.
