Roman Numeral Two (See What I Did There???)

I have decided that on page 17, there's a sort of rhetorical question:

"Hello Robert," I said. "Did you come to cheer me up?"

I only suspect this is a rhetorical question. I think we would have to ask Jake to be sure, but in any case, Robert did not answer, and he did not come to "cheer [Jake] up."

The rhythm of the conversation is sort of noteworthy as well, I think. It follows the pattern of question, irritable answer, question, irritable answer, question, irritable answer. Sometimes there's some narration/commentary in between, but that's the essence of that conversation. I believe I've been told that Hemingway has a very sparse method of writing, and maybe that's what I'm noticing here.

Also, on page 18, "He had a hard, Jewish, stubborn streak" seems significant as well. Is that satirical, perhaps? Actually, I think it's stereotyping because Hemingway doesn't seem to be aiming for change, and it's pinning all Jewish people with one characteristic.

Anyway, I think that's all for now. I'll be back when I've read chapter three!