Posted by Adam Quinan on September 28, 2004 at 23:00:20 from 65.48.153.140 user Adam.
A while back we discussed those authorial interjections when Ransome directly addresses the reader with an explanation or comment. Recently I found what seems to be another one in Coot Club, this time.
When we first hear of Mr Farland and the twins, he is always referred to as Mr Farland.
Then, on page 40 of my Cape copy, Tom hears him talking to Port and Starboard as they bring Flash back after the race and he drops them off for the Coot Club meeting.
Ransome writes "That was Uncle Frank (Mr Farland), .....".
The "Uncle Frank" is obviously Tom's internal thought, the "(Mr Farland)" is Ransome somewhat clumsily explaining to us who Uncle Frank is, although it is perfectly clear from the context.
Slightly further on Starboard refers to her A.P. which is explained as Aged Parent but Ransome does not see fit to tell us that the A.P. is Mr Farland.