So the two of them went to London by the early morning train. 'Let's surprise her,' said Nigel, but Cedric telephoned first, wryly remembering the story of the pedantic adulterer - 'My dear, it is I who am surprised; you are astounded.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Nigel wants to surprise a woman, but Cedric calls ahead, recalling a story where an adulterer's plan to surprise was ruined by his own pedantry.
- In plain terms
- Cedric avoids a surprise by calling first, remembering a past story where a similar plan backfired.
- What can you take from it?
- Sometimes calling ahead prevents the awkwardness of a failed surprise.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is a surprise actually unwelcome?
- How do past stories influence present actions?
Another view
The quote relies on knowing the specific story of the pedantic adulterer to fully grasp the irony.
More from Evelyn Waugh
The human mind is inspired enough when it comes to inventing horrors; it is when it tries to invent a Heaven that it shows itself cloddish.
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