Sentence structure whatsits

[elaby]

Okay, so I have to confess that sometimes Hornung's writing makes me go "??". I think it's partially that Raffles uses a lot of cricket slang, and that Bunny's narration tends to be kind of on the colloquial side, but sometimes I think I'm just not following it sentence-structure-wise. So I thought I'd ask my lovely f'listies for some help!

This is from the story "The Spoils of Sacrilege". I've put this under a cut in case you don't want to be spoiled, but it's not a very long bit. Just two sentences, and only spoilery in the general setup of the story.


Here it is:

For once I must lead, and Raffles follow, whether he liked it or not. He saw that himself; and I think he liked it better than he liked me for the desecration in view; but I had hardened my heart, and his feelings were too fine for actual remonstrance on such a point.

Okay, here's what I get out of it: Bunny has to be in charge for this job, and Raffles knows it. However, Raffles likes Bunny being in charge more than he approves of Bunny's plan for this job ("desecration," I think, refers to the job because he's planning to burgle the house he grew up in). Bunny had hardened his heart toward the negative morality of his plan, but Raffles is too... something... to scold him for it. What that something is I'm not quite sure how to put into words. Too tactful, maybe, knowing Bunny well enough to know what would hurt him?

Help, f'list! Do you think I've interpreted this right? I've come across things like this countless times in reading these stories, but this is the only one I actually remembered well enough to go find again, heh.

Comments

[violetjimjams.livejournal.com]

You seem to have it. I think what he means by Raffles feelings being "too fine" for remonstrance (ie, protest or complaint) is that he likes for Bunny to be in charge MORE THAN he dislikes the plan. Doesn't want to discourage him too much, so Bunny can take charge more often.

And looking at it through rainbow-tinted spectacles, that passage tells me Raffles does indeed like it when Bunny tops. Thank you, canon.

[elaby.livejournal.com]

Aaah, that makes sense! Thank you :D That's really nice of Raffles! He truly does get awfully nice sometimes, which is awesome XD

Haha, and you're SO right about that. Canon is so good to us slashers!

[violetjimjams.livejournal.com]

Seriously! He's so tender with Bunny sometimes I just can't stand it!

Best. Canon. Ever.

And I'm counting Drake and Josh (which totally has a canon gay couple! Secondary characters and it's never EXPLICITLY stated, but still!)

[elaby.livejournal.com]

Ooh, who are Drake and Josh?

Seriously, Raffles is so tender sometimes. It really surprises me, in a wonderful way XD

[violetjimjams.livejournal.com]

Tween show on Nick from some years ago that actually didn't suck. Made by the creator of All That (the original All That). Drake Bell and Josh Peck. It's really fun.

[elaby.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool! That does sound fun :)

[janeturenne.livejournal.com]

Yep, I think you've got it right; Raffles likes Bunny taking the lead, but doesn't think that this particular job is in the spirit of the Game and thinks less of Bunny in some sense for that. The Rafflesian thieving Game, that is, not the Holmesian Game. Granted, it has taken me approximately eighteen reads to come to that conclusion. That is a sincerely convoluted sentence. Where was this man's editor??? No beta I know would let ME get away with such syntax.

[violetjimjams.livejournal.com]

Maybe Doyle played Beta and let that sentence pass because his wife was mad at him and he needed Bro-In-Law to put in some good words on his behalf.

And the expense of BIL's story.

[elaby.livejournal.com]

The Rafflesian thieving Game, that is, not the Holmesian Game.

OMG, I <3 you XD

Where was this man's editor??? No beta I know would let ME get away with such syntax.</i< I TELL YOU. And it's kind of rampant! Maybe not quite that bad, but certainly not infrequent.

[minyan.livejournal.com]

Oy, what a sentence. I agree with you all...

Raffles knows that he is too close to this job, and that someone else should lead it. He likes having Bunny lead better than he likes having Bunny on this job. Bunny is determined to be part of this job, which is important to Raffles — probably because it is important to Raffles. Raffles is too much involved (in the job or about Bunny or both, as you like :-) to protest aloud without his voice shaking.

... I think maybe sorta after four or five reads? Yeesh. Take this guy to the writing center! ;-)

[violetjimjams.livejournal.com]

Heh, the benefit of comics is I get to edit out all those convoluted sentences and stick with the dialogue.

[elaby.livejournal.com]

Yay! And dialogue is so one of Hornung's strong points, too.

[violetjimjams.livejournal.com]

And I SO relate. He and I...we're like SOULMATES!

[elaby.livejournal.com]

D'awww ^_^ And together, you will create a masterpiece of comicdom!

[elaby.livejournal.com]

Raffles is too much involved (in the job or about Bunny or both, as you like :-) to protest aloud without his voice shaking.

<3!!!! That deserved all those exclamation points, too. You are SO awesome.

Thank you! It's very helpful to have all of you help elucidate it like this.

Take this guy to the writing center! ;-)

We would have straightened him right out! XD And then said "Carry on, please!"

[ajs-bunny.livejournal.com]

Excerpt from the v.v. sekrit diaries of A.J.R.:

Bunny seems to think I am a control freak. Such nerve! Granted, he may know the lay of the land, but in the end, there are too many loose ends to trip us up. The dear boy hasn't been inside--what alterations may have the new tenants made? Locks? Unexpected obstacles? I fear my scheming rabbit may be cloud-gazing in the field when the willow hits the leather.

Still. He wants to prove himself. How can I resist? I find I can deny him nothing. Dear Bunny. When will you ever learn you have always been the man for me?

*Le sigh!*

Oh, yes. He's so sweet on his Bunny.

PS: I agree with the others that Raffles enjoys a toppy Bunny on occasion. A ruffian-straddling Bunny in a night-shirt. Mmm. Such sweet dreams.

[elaby.livejournal.com]

XD Yes! And that excerpt is awesome!

[semyaza.livejournal.com]

Yes, I think you have. I believe that by 'his feelings were too fine' he means 'too polished or refined' (i.e. he wouldn't do anything so vulgar as to raise the issue with Bunny).

[elaby.livejournal.com]

Aaaah, I see! Thank you! That makes sense.

[kathie-d.livejournal.com]

Dear God.

It could be that he simply hasn't been brought up to suggest that his friend couldn't do something...

Or as someone else said, he's WAY too into Bunny leading to say anything about it without squeaking.

I'll take the slashy version please! :D

[elaby.livejournal.com]

Me too! XD I think you've nailed it!