How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I am a painter. Not, alas, a painter of houses, or I should have been able to make my pile and retire by now. No no; I paint pictures. Not, alas again, pictures of trade unionists or town halls or naked women, or I should now be squatting on an even larger pile." (4.24)
Bertrand implies here that he's a cut above painters who paint ordinary pictures. Notices his kind of disparaging mention of "trade unionists"? Aren't you glad you just had our history lesson? In other words, he's saying "I don't paint pictures for the common rabble; I'm a serious artist." He's trying to elevate people's perception of his social class.
Quote #2
A maidservant was now collecting the used crockery, and the company was moving about. (4.68)
Now Welch might just be your run-of-the-mill professor. But if the guy has a maidservant working for him, he's doing OK. This helps us to realize the difference between Jim's financial situation and Welch's, and why Jim's hoping for a permanent position at the college. He doesn't much like his field, but he needs a better income.
Quote #3
"Patronage, you see, patronage: that's what it'll be. I'll answer his letters with one hand and paint with the other." (4.97)
After explaining that he's gunning for a job as Mr. Gore-Urquhart's private secretary, Bertrand feels the need to show that he's not just going to be some assistant for the rest of his life. He wants people to know that first and foremost, he's a great artist, and that rich Uncle Julius is simply going to be a patron of his grand career.