Short Fiction · Chapter
The Talking-Out of Tarrington explained
Clovis helps his aunt avoid an unwanted social encounter with Mr.
What happens
Clovis helps his aunt avoid an unwanted social encounter with Mr. Tarrington by engaging him in a deliberately absurd and evasive conversation, ultimately driving him away.
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 Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Egbert…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Hypocrisy and Moral Facade
Clovis's aunt pretends not to know Tarrington, and Clovis feigns ignorance to avoid social obligation.
- The Absurdity of Social Rituals
The elaborate avoidance of a simple invitation and Clovis's ridiculous conversation highlight the absurdity of social conventions.
Characters to notice
- Clovis Sangrail
Volunteers to distract Mr. Tarrington, using witty and nonsensical talk to drive him away.
- Bertie van Tahn
Mentioned as the aunt of Clovis, who seeks to avoid Tarrington.
Key passages
“Heavens! here's someone I know bearing down on us. I can't remember his name, but he lunched with us once in town. Tarrington—yes, that's it. He's heard of the picnic I'm giving for the princess, and he'll cling to me like a lifebelt till I give him an invitation; then he'll ask if he may bring all his wives and mothers and sisters with him. That's the worst of these small watering-places; one can't escape from anybody.”
Clovis's aunt panics upon seeing a man she vaguely recalls, fearing he will pester her for a picnic invitation and then ask to bring his entire family, lamenting the inescapability of small resort towns.
Sets up the social dilemma and the aunt's motivation for escape.
“I shall certainly go in for a Parliamentary career. As a talker-out of inconvenient bills I should be invaluable.”
Clovis muses that his talent for obfuscation would make him an excellent politician, skilled at filibustering unwanted legislation.
Clovis's self-satisfied conclusion, highlighting his cleverness and the story's satirical edge.
