“May I ask your name?” he said, awkwardly.

“I’m Scudder.”

“I know you’re Scudder. I meant your other name.”

“Only Alec, just.”

Maurice, E.M. Forster

Listen I am having a number of cliché but very painful Feelings about this okay,

  • Alec thinking Maurice had forgotten his name despite the night they’ve just spent together 😭😭😭
  • The contrast between Maurice knowing and bothering to ask, and Mrs Durham forgetting Alec’s name after all his service 😭
  • “awkwardly” 😭 Maurice please 😭
  • That “just” which betrays (hidden) self-consciousness and class-consciousness so beautifully with one simple syllable 😭😭😭