A Case for Loyola by E.V. Lucas
A conjurer's brief, wordless stop at the bar prompts the narrator's unnamed companion to muse on how varied and hard to guess men's trades can be, from carpenters betrayed by rule pockets to coachmen marked by their years with horses. Challenged to say what his own trade might be, the narrator fails to guess it from the man's worn, neat appearance and kneeling-worn trousers. The man then reveals himself as a worm-holer: he bores holes in furniture to make it look older and more valuable, chiefly for buyers in America who prize guaranteed Tudor pieces. Asked whether this troubles his conscience, he says it once did but no longer does, since he now regards himself as a benefactor, lying awake at night picturing American collectors delighting in the treasures he has made for them.
By E.V. Lucas · Genre: Satirical Fiction, Humorous Short Story, Character Sketch · 778 words
First lines
The Interviewer's Bag
We had no introduction save the circumstance that we chanced both to / be taking refreshment at the same time -- and, after all, is not that a / bond? He did not begin to talk at once, and very likely would not have / done so had not a little man come hastily in, received his drink, laid / his money on the bar without a word, also without a word consumed it, / and hurried out again.
What this Textopian page supports
A Case for Loyola is listed on Textopian as an essay by E.V. Lucas, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: E.V. Lucas
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Satirical Fiction, Humorous Short Story, Character Sketch, Social Commentary, Literary Short Fiction
- Length: 778 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Case for Loyola by E.V. Lucas
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Genres
- Satirical Fiction — The piece employs irony and wit to critique fraud, deception, and moral rationalization in commerce, with the protagonist treating his furniture forgery as a noble enterprise benefiting American collectors.
- Humorous Short Story — The narrative uses clever dialogue, absurdist premise, and comedic timing to amuse the reader through the speaker's candid confession of his questionable trade and self-justifications.
- Character Sketch — The piece primarily serves as a character study, revealing the personality, background, and moral philosophy of an ordinary man engaged in systematic deception.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques commercial dishonesty, consumer gullibility, and the ease with which people rationalize unethical behavior for profit and personal benefit.
Tags
furniture-fraud · antique-forgery · Tudor-reproduction · deception · cynical-humor · bar-conversation · character-study · trades-and-occupations · appearance-and-reality · self-justification · English-setting · American-collectors