"I asked him how he kept his temper when customers were unreasonable. "Oh, thats all in the days work," he said. "I know they dont mean it. Its not the gentlemen who are snappish, its their empty stomachs...." "It is not the gentlemen," he went on, "that break a waiters heart; its the kitchen. Thats where our trouble is. Its cooks that ruin eating-houses. A cook who has a grudge against a head-waiter can cost his governor pounds and pounds a day. Its all in his hands; he can spoil things, or he can keep them back till the customers bang out in a fury.... Gentlemen who blame waiters for being slow dont remember that the food has got to be cooked and served up, and that the waiter doesnt do either. "But there;" Mr. Duckie said, "an empty stomach cant remember everything. I often think this would be a better-tempered and happier world if we ate a little all the time instead of saving up our appetites for real meals. But speaking as a waiter, I can see its best as it is."
Edward Verrall Lucas, was an English humorist, essayist, playwright, biographer, publisher, poet, novelist, short story writer and editor.
"It is all as it should be if they were really friends once, for friends, in fact, belong to periods rather than to all time, although sentiment would have it otherwise. One is always changing a little, although of radical change there is almost none, and new friends are found in tune with each stage."
E. V. Lucas"This little book...is just a garland of good or enkindling poetry and prose fitted to urge folk into the open air...with perhaps a phrase or two for the feet to step to and the mind to brood on when the rest is over."
E. V. Lucas"I dont want to give it to you, so please take it quickly and hide it, or I shall ask for it back. It is a very sordid feeling, I admit; but if you also had the collectors temperament you would know that to give away anything is nearly an impossibility, and to give away anything without regretting it is quite an impossibility."
E. V. Lucas"There are moments when one is more ashamed of what is called culture than any one can ever be of ignorance."
E. V. Lucas"Well," I said, "Im sorry if cheerfulness is so impracticable. It would be new, at any rate, and novelty is said to be a great thing." "Not in songs," replied Alf. "They dont want anything new in songs except the tune. Theyve all got to be about the same things for ever and ever.”"
E. V. Lucas"It was a dull day for English readers (I think) when the description of the person was first considered unnecessary. We rarely get it now."
E. V. Lucas