Ignatius Gallaher Quotes

Few fellows had talents like his and fewer still could remain unspoiled by such success. Gallaher’s heart was in the right place and he had deserved to win. It was something to have a friend like that.

People used to say that Ignatius Gallaher was wild. Of course, he did mix with a rakish set of fellows at that time, drank freely and borrowed money on all sides. In the end he had got mixed up in some shady affair, some money transaction: at least, that was one version of his flight. But nobody denied him talent. There was always a certain ... something in Ignatius Gallaher that impressed you in spite of yourself. Even when he was out at elbows and at his wits’ end for money he kept up a bold face.

Little Chandler remembered (and the remembrance brought a slight flush of pride to his cheek) one of Ignatius Gallaher’s sayings when he was in a tight corner: “Half time now, boys,” he used to say light-heartedly. “Where’s my considering cap?” That was Ignatius Gallaher all out; and, damn it, you couldn’t but admire him for it.

Press life. Always hurry and scurry, looking for copy and sometimes not finding it: and then, always to have something new in your stuff.

Little Chandler allowed his whisky to be very much diluted. “You don’t know what’s good for you, my boy,” said Ignatius Gallaher. “I drink mine neat.”

“It’s not so beautiful, you know. Of course, it is beautiful.... But it’s the life of Paris; that’s the thing. Ah, there’s no city like Paris for gaiety, movement, excitement....”

There was something vulgar in his friend which he had not observed before. But perhaps it was only the result of living in London amid the bustle and competition of the Press.

The old personal charm was still there under this new gaudy manner.

And, after all, Gallaher had lived, he had seen the world.

If you want to enjoy yourself properly you must go to Paris.

“Ah,” he said, “you may say what you like. There’s no woman like the Parisienne—for style, for go.”

“Well, Tommy,” he said, “I wish you and yours every joy in life, old chap, and tons of money, and may you never die till I shoot you. And that’s the wish of a sincere friend, an old friend. You know that?”

The adventure of meeting Gallaher after eight years, of finding himself with Gallaher in Corless’s surrounded by lights and noise, of listening to Gallaher’s stories and of sharing for a brief space Gallaher’s vagrant and triumphant life, upset the equipoise of his sensitive nature.