"All was well, until I reached the port of Havre. Three officers with the rank of lieutenant, whom afterwards I knew to be Scotland Yard men, came aboard and demanded to see my papers which they took away from me"
- Philip Gibbs
About this Quote
The quote is from Philip Gibbs' book, "Adventures of a Despatch Rider". It is a story about a young man who is sent on a mission to deliver a message to the French port of Havre. Upon arriving, he is satisfied by three officers with the rank of lieutenant, who end up being Scotland Yard males. They eliminate his documents, leaving him worrying and uncertain about what will take place next. This quote shows the stress and unpredictability of the situation, as the lead character is left wondering what will occur to him and his objective. It likewise serves as a pointer of the power of the authorities, as the protagonist is helpless to stop them from eliminating his documents. The quote likewise highlights the importance of being gotten ready for unexpected occasions, as the lead character was not expecting to be met by Scotland Yard men.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"
"Well, I think any time you delve into this sort of religion, politics, as you well know, you're going to, you know, touch a few nerves. I wasn't - now - and this is the honest truth"