Crawley, I do trust that you have rung that bell, for if I…
““Crawley, I do trust that you have rung that bell, for if I stand in this disagreeable wind you know I shall take cold, and my colds always descend upon my chest. How thoughtless it was in you to have handed me down from the chaise until the door had been opened! Ah, here is that deplorable henchman! Yes, Barrow, it is I indeed. Take my hat – no, Crawley had best take my hat, perhaps. And yet, if he does so, who is to assist me out of my greatcoat? How difficult all these arrangements are! Ah, a happy thought! You have laid my hat down, Crawley! I do not know where I should be without you. Now my coat, and pray be careful! Where is a mirror? Crawley, you cannot have been so foolish as to have packed all my hand-mirrors! No I thought not: hold it a little higher, I beg of you, and give me my comb! Yes, that will serve, Barrow, you may announce me to your mistress!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage satirically portrays a chaotic, overly formal scene of a servant’s frantic assistance, exposing class absurdities and theatricality.
In simple terms: A servant’s frantic, exaggerated service in a fancy setting.
Key Takeaway
Simplify and prioritize tasks.
Themes
satire
class
comedy
chaos
Mood
witty
mocking
Type
literary
humorous
When to use this quote
- theatre productions
- historical reenactments
- event planning
- customer service
Key Concepts
social hierarchy
ritual
over‑elaboration
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the over‑the‑top behavior reveal about status?
- How can one balance decorum with practicality?
A Different Perspective
May exaggerate to the point of confusion.