Diary of a Nobody

Pooter has nightmares about the party, but Gowing calls and praises the gathering, prompting Pooter to remark that he can be very nice when he likes but “you never know how long it will last” (90). Cummings also calls with praise. When Lupin departs to spend the day with Daisy and her family, Pooter and Carrie discuss the success of their marriage. Pooter reflects that a humble beginning contributed to their success, and Carrie calls him a philosopher, pleasing him greatly. Lupin returns to announce that he has broken off his engagement and never wants to hear Daisy’s name again.

Gowing and Cummings drop in, along with Lupin, who brings one of the Holloway Comedians, Mr. Burwin-Fosselton. Mr. Burwin-Fosselton monopolizes the conversation, invites himself to dinner, and imitates stage actor Henry Irving while accidentally kicking Carrie under the table and knocking over his wine. After dinner, he quotes from plays and knocks over the fire irons. As he leaves, he promises to come the next night and bring his Irving makeup; Gowing and Cummings invite themselves to this performance, and Gowing brings a disagreeable man named Padge. While Burwin-Fosselton’s imitation of Irving is good, Pooter concludes that “one can have even too much imitation of Irving” (98), especially after the guest seizes Gowing by the coat collar and accidentally scratches his neck deeply.