Posted by Andy on March 23, 2017 at 13:54:21 user Andy.
I'm re-reading this (I've an October 1907 American edition) and loved the bit on coffee-stalls: it's so Ransome.
"There is something gypsyish about coffee-stalls, something very delightful. Since those days I've known many ... but there is none I have loved so well as this small untidy box on the Embankment. That was a joyous night when for the first time the keeper of the stall recognised my face and honoured me with talk as a regular customer. More famous men have seldom made me prouder. It meant something, this vanity of being able to add "Evening, Bill!" to my order of coffee and cake. Coffee and cake cost a penny each and are very good. The coffee is not too hot to drink, and the cake would satisfy an ogre."
...Or a Roger, I suppose.
But here's a thing: the Japanese artist mentioned later in the book is Yoshio Markino. And here's his painting of a (the?) coffee-stall, on the Embankment, dating to about the same time.
I'd like to think it's not a coincidence.
Andy
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