Topical Guide 268
Mark Dorset
Salesmen: Perceptions of, Early Twentieth Century
Lorna saw a neat young man with a salesman’s case. He looked to her like a good prospect for a little diversion on a rainy night.
“Good evening,” Herb said. He removed his hat and smiled.
Lorna put on a look of exaggerated surprise. “You must be fond of rain,” she said, “if you think this is a good evening.” She returned his smile. She was looking forward to watching this neat young man try to persuade her father to buy whatever he was selling.
“I guess you’re right,” said Herb. “Not only rain, but wind and cold, too.” He chuckled. He liked her. He liked the pert and sassy way she spoke to him. He put his hat back on, stood again as he’d been standing when she opened the door, took his hat off again as he’d taken it off before, gave a shiver, and said, frowning, “Nasty evening.”
“What are you selling?” Lorna asked.Herb ’n’ Lorna, Chapter 5
Literature: American, Popular
“Do you have Ben-Hur?” asked Lorna. She’d been wanting to read Ben-Hur for some time. One of the girls at the mill had promised to trade her copy for Lorna’s copy of The Life Everlasting, but the girl was an extraordinarily slow reader, and Lorna had begun to despair of her ever finishing the book.
“Well, no,” said Herb. “I don’t think I do have that one.”
“I saw the moving picture,” said Lorna. “Did you?”
“No,” said Herb. “I — ”Herb ’n’ Lorna, Chapter 5
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ is a novel by Lew Wallace, published by Harper and Brothers on November 12, 1880 … . It became a best-selling American novel, surpassing Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852) in sales. The book also inspired other novels with biblical settings and was adapted for the stage and motion picture productions. … The 1959 MGM film adaptation of Ben-Hur is considered one of the greatest films ever made and was seen by tens of millions, going on to win a record 11 Academy Awards in 1960 … . The success of the novel and its stage and film adaptations also helped it to become a popular cultural icon that was used to promote numerous commercial products. The story recounts the adventures of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince from Jerusalem, who is enslaved by the Romans at the beginning of the first century and becomes a charioteer and a Christian. Running in parallel with Judah’s narrative is the unfolding story of Jesus, from the same region and around the same age. The novel reflects themes of betrayal, conviction, and redemption, with a revenge plot that leads to a story of love and compassion.
Gags, Repeated
Tom climbs down again and helps Tudor to his feet. “What’s your name, fellow?” Tudor asks.
“Huh?” Tom replies, surprised.
“That can’t be it,” says Tudor. “Think, man! What does your mother say when she wants you to come to dinner?” He wears a look that suggests he thinks he’s dealing with an idiot.
“Come and get it!”
“Well, if it’s good enough for your mother, it’s good enough for me,” says Tudor, throwing his arm across Tom’s shoulders. “Cumangetit, tell me about ice.”Herb ’n’ Lorna, Chapter 3
Lorna leaned toward Herb, put her hand on his arm, and dropped her voice. “What’s your name?” she asked. She was inviting him to join her in a conspiracy, a conspiracy of the young, of children against parents. Herb would have told her his name at once, but he saw again the beauty that he’d seen a moment earlier, and again he was befuddled by it.
Lorna poked him. “What does your mother say when she wants you to come to dinner?” she asked.
“She says, ‘Supper’s ready, Herb.’ ”
“That’s nice,” said Lorna. She smiled. “ ‘Supper’s ready, Herb.’ You know what?”
“What?” asked Herb.
“I’ll bet your name is Herb,” said Lorna.Herb ’n’ Lorna, Chapter 5
See also: Salesmanship TG 75
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