Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Gordon prowls the streets of London, yearning for a woman’s company. However, he vows not to get married since he sees marriage as another “trap set for you by the money-god” (103-4). He comes across Rosemary, who claims she was coming to see him. She is upset at his letter; she quickly forgives him and says she loves him, but she still refuses to sleep with him. Gordon blames this on his poverty, and Rosemary admits that they would have sex if they were married, which they can’t afford. Gordon rants that all women just want men with money. Rosemary listens patiently: “[W]hat he was saying was such palpable nonsense that it did not even exasperate her” (113).

Rosemary tries to get Gordon to agree to go into the country or join her for dinner at an Italian restaurant, but he says he is broke. Rosemary offers to pay for dinner, but Gordon protests that that wouldn’t be proper. Gordon keeps refusing, causing an argument that upsets Rosemary. She ends up having to go home without dinner, but Gordon promises they will go to the country on Sunday. However, he insists on raising the expense of the fare himself.