The Sailor by Jerome K. Jerome. Short summary

5 seconds

Jerome talks about the differences between the sailors encountered in reality and their counterparts performing on stage. For example, the former do not watch their pantaloons so carefully.

1 minute

The English writer names the differences between the sailors encountered in real life and their counterparts who appear before the general public.

For example, the former are not as concerned about the condition of their own pantaloons as the others.

There are other differences as well. Jerome states that the matron on stage holds his pants with his hands on different sides when he puts them on. The theatrical actor then jumps up and starts kicking his legs. At the end of the «ritual,» the pantaloons look as good as possible.

A real sailor likes to speak eloquently before starting any work. Then he leans against something and proceeds to untie his belt. A colleague of a stage actor in reality pulls up his pantaloons with his hand. He does not move on the spot while putting on his pants. His further actions are practically the same as those done by the stage actor.

According to the English writer, the stagehand’s main desire is to meet the devil.